Home · 2012 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabrio · Complaints

What 233 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabrio

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (233)Crash / fire / injury (9)Airbags (92)Fuel system (37)Electrical system (22)Brakes (21)Engine (20)Suspension (15)Steering (12)Transmission & drivetrain (10)Body & structure (8)Seats (7)

Newest first · 233 complaints · page 9 of 10

Jun 9, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER, ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA (770-279-3600) CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/09/17*LJ UPDATED 10/12/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10994094

May 26, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10991847

May 22, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10991065

May 18, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10990449

Apr 8, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING FOR OVER A YEAR. I AM TOLD THAT MERCEDES BENZ STILL HAS NO IDEA WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE MADE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. MERCEDES BENZ IS KNOWINGLY PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK.

NHTSA ODI 10971437

Mar 31, 2017

THE REAR POP UP ROLL BAR ON MY 2012 E350 CONVERTIBLE JAMMED AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI 10969668

Mar 31, 2017

REAR POP UP ROLL BAR ON 2012 E350 CONVERTIBLE JAMMED. IT WAS DISCOVERED AT THE SHOP WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP BECAME INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10969670

Mar 24, 2017Seat belts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT STOPPED EXTENDING HALF-WAY OUT THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT. 28,882 MILES ON THE CAR. COULD NOT SECURE SEATBELT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10968252

Mar 20, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10967213

Mar 8, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10959544

Mar 7, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10959184

Feb 27, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10957269

Dec 12, 2016Electrical systemSeat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT FRACTURED. THERE WERE ALSO ELECTRICAL FAILURES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10934672

Sep 9, 2016

CAR DISPLAYS PRE-SAFE INOPERATIVE THEN SPEED ADJUSTS REALLY SLOW

NHTSA ODI 10904897

Sep 9, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A "PRE SAFE INOPERATIVE SEE OWNER MANUAL" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 10904926

Mar 21, 2016Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FUMES COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 10850755

Feb 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE HAS A SLOW START. WHEN IN MOTION THE VEHICLE DRIVES ROUGH, AND CUTS OFF, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS VEHICLE HAS A GREAT MAINTENANCE RECORD ONLY SERVICED AT THE MERCEDES DEALER AND HAS 0NLY 54000 MILES. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING ISSUE WHICH WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. MERCEDES REPAIRED. THEY FOUND THE CAMSHAFT DAMAGED, HEAD DAMAGED, AND GEAR DAMAGED AND REPLACED CAMSHAFT AND GEAR ONLY. THEY CHARGED MY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING FAILURES $4874.38. FOR THIS ENGINEERING AND SAFETY FAIKURE I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE THE LOST HEALTH AND LIFE IS LOST, AND OWNERS SHOULD BE RECOMPENSE FOR THE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 10838826

Nov 13, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING BELOW 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 10790237

Feb 26, 2015Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ODI 10690941

Feb 14, 2015TiresWheels

I HAVE HAD 3 IRREPARABLE TIRE BLOWOUTS IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS: APPROXIMATE DATES APRIL 21, 2014, MAY 12, 2014, AND FEBRUARY 2, 2015. ALL 3 WERE THE RESULT OF HITTING POTHOLES. OKAY, THAT HAPPENS TO OTHER CARS ON OCCASION. BUT I CONSIDER THE RESULT TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT IN EITHER THE WHEEL/TIRE COMBINATION, WHICH WOULD BE THE FAULT OF MERCEDES, OR A DEFECT IN THE CONTINENTAL TIRES ALONE. THE CAR IS A 2012 MERCEDES E350 WITH SPORT SUSPENSION. AS A RESULT, THE STIFF SUSPENSION COMBINED WITH THE LOW PROFILE CONTINENTAL OEM TIRES (DOT HW2P-N1H6) IS A POTENTIAL COMBINATION THAT IS POTENTIALLY LETHAL, NOT TO SAY EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN AT APPROX. $300 PER TIRE REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10683468

Jan 20, 2015Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I STARTED MY CAR AND IT MADE A BIG LOUD NOISE FROM ENGINE THEN I START GETTING ALL MESSAGES ON SCREEN THAT EVERY THINGS NOT INOPERABLE. EVEN THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LOCKED AND THE MORE I KEPT THE CAR ON THE MORE NOISE WAS MAKING. ITS LIKE I AM PUSHING HARD ON GAS PANEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10676749

Nov 17, 2014Engine

TICKING/ TAPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY WHEN CAR IS EXCELERATING, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10655349

Oct 3, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngineCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND ROLLED BACKWARDS BEFORE STOPPING INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT WHEN REVERSING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT MADE THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: THE COVER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD, REMOVED/INSTALLED A SEAL, NON-RETURN VALVE, CHAIN TENSIONER, SEALANT MB, FLANGE GASKET, HEXALOBULAR BOLT, THE COVER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD, REMOVED/INSTALLED A SEAL, LEFT AND RIGHT SECONDARY DRIVE CHAIN TENSIONERS, FRONT COVER CYLINDER, AND THE CHECK VALVE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE BRUISED THE CONTACT AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,597.

NHTSA ODI 10641320

Sep 30, 2014Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND AS THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND BY THE OPEN DOOR, WHICH THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR FENDER OF AN UNOCCUPIED AND PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL AWAY AND CAME TO A STOP WHEN ENCOUNTERING A NEARBY CURB. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES ALL OVER THE BODY AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ODI 10640109

Jul 26, 2014Tires

I HAVE A 2012 MERCEDES E350 WITH 15000 MILES. IT HAS OEM TIRES MADE BY CONTINENTAL. CONTI PRO 245/40 R18 97V. I INCIDENTALLY NOTICED ON 7/23/14 THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A BUBBLE WHERE THE WALL WAS BULGING AND TIRE WAS SOFT. ON EXAMINATION OF THE OTHER TIRES, I SAW THAT 3 OF THE 4 TIRES WERE WEAK AND BUBBLES HAD FORMED. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 300 SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. THEY ASCRIBED IT TO THE FACT THAT MERCEDES HAS A "LOW PROFILE HIGH PERFORMANCE" TIRE. IF IT HITS A POTHOLE, THE TIRE WALL WEAKENS AND A BULGE CAN FORM. HE TOLD ME NOT TO USE THE CAR BUT INSTEAD GET ALL THE TIRES CHANGED. HE MENTIONED THAT SINCE A LOT OF OEM TIRES ON MERCEDES ARE CONTINENTAL CONTI, IT IS ONE OF THE COMMON ONES BUT IT HAPPENS ON OTHER LOW PROFILE TIRES TOO. I HAVE NOT CHANGED THE TIRES AND I AM KEEPING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, AND USING MY SECOND CAR INSTEAD. IF THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON, I BELIEVE THAT OWNERS OF SUCH VEHICLES AND TIRES SHOULD BE ASKED TO CHECK THEIR TIRES REGULARLY AS A BLOWOUT ON A HIGHWAY CAN EASILY BE FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10616532

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 233 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabrio verdict →