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

Rear Subframe is rusted through. My mechanic just pointed this out today, during regular maintenance, and provided photographs.

NHTSA ODI 11641934

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds; when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake pedal failed to return to the original position. The contact stated that upon inspection, the brake pedal felt abnormally loose and there was a brake fluid leak present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was lifted and was noticed that the sub-frame was rusted. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle as a second opinion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11612577

The rear subframe is corroded and needs to be replaces - there was no prior warning and the Benz dealer stated this is something that only is evident to even the most highly trained mechanics once it is at the point of total failure. The rear brake lines are also corroded and the Benz dealer will only pay for the subframe and not the very expensive rear brake line replacement which seems to be entirely related.

NHTSA ODI 11595448

rear sub frame corroded which results in unsafe driving, corroded brake line which results in unsafe driving. blind spot sensor in the bumper is corroded due to no protection against environment.

NHTSA ODI 11567117

The rear subframe of this vehicle has rusted on a seam and is cracking. I do not know if the seam is a weld or a bend in the metal. There is no corrosion on rest of the underbody. I do not know when the condition started. I noticed it upon braking. It felt as though the rear end of the vehicle was going to swing out around me. It started about three months before this report and got progressively worse. It was only noticeable when braking firmly from moderate or higher speeds, I have taken the vehicle to the Mercedes dealership and they advise the fault is not covered by warranty. A Google search would indicate that this is a problem occurring worldwide with Mercedes vehicles that use the identical sub frame to that in my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11503151

Recently, I took my 2012 Mercedes E350 4Matic for an oil change and after inspecting the vehicle, I was informed by my mechanic that the car had a rusted sub-frame, with visible holes near the right rear wheel. I was told this needed to be immediately addressed as it was a safety issue. He explained that if not fixed, the wheel could detach from the vehicle while driving and could result in a crash or serious injury/death. My mechanic indicated that Mercedes Benz of America is aware of this issue and they do not offer any assistance with the necessary repair. However, I did some research online and learned that if you own a Mercedes, have this same issue and also live in Germany, you can take it to a dealer for a free repair. I find it outrageous that this is not a valid safety recall and even more so, having to pay nearly 3K for the repair in order to make the car safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11484413

SUB FRAME CRACKED

NHTSA ODI 11398776

THE INTERIOR DASH VENTS (SHINY ITEMS) ARE REFLECTED UNTO THE SIDE MIRRORS MAKING IT DANGEROUS WHEN CHANGING LANES BECAUSE ONE CANNOT BE SURE WHAT ONE IS SEEING IN THOSE LANES BECAUSE THE REFLECTION IS VERY PRONOUNCE. THESE VENTS AND OTHER DASH ITEMS ARE ALSO REFLECTED ON THE WINDSHIELD, ALMOST LIKE AN OBSTRUCTION WHEN ONE IS DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE ADJUSTABLE FRONT SEATS, ARE SO UNCOMFORTABLE THAT ONE IS CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING THE SEAT SETTING WHILE DRIVING. THESE ISSUES CAN CAUSE QUITE A DISTRACTION AND ARE OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS. WHEN WE REPORTED THESE ITEMS TO THE DEALERSHIP, MBCHARLOTTE, AND MBUSA, THEY TOOK NO ACTION. IF THERE WAS EVER AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THE CAUSE AND EFFECT WAS RELATED TO THESE ISSUES AS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, HOW CAN ONE EVER PROVE THAT THEY CAUSED THE ACCIDENT OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAUSE. ONE WOULD NEED A WHOLE LOT OF EXPERTS TO SHOW THAT THE MANUFACTURER BUILD IN THE PROBLEM BY NOT ADDRESSING IT, OR TESTING FOR THE EFFECT THAT THESE ISSUES CAUSE THE DRIVER('S). ONE OF THE DEALERS PRODUCT EXPERT, SOLUTION TO THE REFLECTION PROBLEM WAS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS WHEN DRIVING TO GET RID OF THE REFLECTIONS. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SOLD US THE CAR, [XXX], TELLS ME, NOW, THAT HE NOTICES THIS REFLECTION ON ALL THESE CARS. THE DEALERSHIP IS INDIFFERENT ABOUT THESE ITEMS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION. EVEN THOUGH THEY, IN OUR EYES, ARE SAFETY ISSUES. HOPEFULLY NHTSA CAN LOOK INTO THIS AND CAN DO SOMETHING TO RESOLVE IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10472816