What 185 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, after depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was jerking and steering to the left independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000. The contact stated that the rusty subframe was so bad that if a piece had broken off it could have punctured the gas tank. The contact paid for the repairs necessary to fix the issues.

NHTSA ODI 11493501

I have a pre owned 2013 Mercedes Benz E-Class 4 Matic. This car runs beautifully and has been not missed a service appt since I took ownership in 2016. September 2022, the cars break light came on, took it to Mercedes Benz Natick, Ma and they states the cars brake lines were heavily corroded and was unsafe to drive. It was leaking brake fluid as well. Upon doing extensive research it seems to be a trend with this years model due to the material that Mercedes Benz used instead of the brake lines used in previous models that had no issues at all. It is a safety issue and they are endangering lives due to the poor quality material that they used for the brake lines.

NHTSA ODI 11493437

Subframe is rusting and will cause structural failure. If failure happens car stability will be compromised and therefore cause an accident. Detected and confirmed by independent service center. Not inspected by dealer or ins. No warnings triggered since system not set up for that detection. Part in such high demand that there is a 10 mo wait via several dealer parts depts.

NHTSA ODI 11493388

We have been told by our Mercedes Auto Repair shop and subsequently confirmed by two additional auto repair shops, that our rear sub frame has deteriorated and that the steel brakes lines are also rusting creating a very dangerous situation. We were warned to drive straight home and not to drive it again. We have also been told that this is a "known" problem with Mercedes C and E class cars and that the sub frame deteriorates from the inside out and has nothing to do with salt on the roads or snow or ice. Had we not brought it in for the usual oil change and check up we could have been killed. We understand that there are recalls in the UK, Canada, Ireland, and other countries but not in the US. The repair is $7,000.00+ and the wait for the part is approximately 6 months. Why is there no recall in the US? We have read numerous reports on the Menz World Forum with the same issue. I would like to file a complaint as someone could be killed and Mercedes is not addressing this hazardous issue. Does someone have to die before it is recalled?

NHTSA ODI 11491827

Upon routine maintenance visit to manufacturer dealer, was told that rear subframe assembly was corroded and could fail. Took vehicle to other local manufacturer dealer and they confirmed the same. Was able to catch the issue before incident, but was told subframe failure was imminent.

NHTSA ODI 11484408

Rear frame and brake line damage due to rust and corrosion Problems identified by euro Motorcars Devon (car dealer) Car will not pass safety inspection Outside manufacturer warranty considerations Outside extended warranty considerations

NHTSA ODI 11483266

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 55 mph, the sunroof sliding door detached and fell on her right shoulder and head. The driver sustained headaches for a couple of days but did not seek medical attention. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the airflow panel to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482381

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the fuel odor was present on the outside of the vehicle. The contact did not see fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and after removing the rear seats from the vehicle, the mechanic became aware of a fuel leak inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V557000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472473

My rear subframe is rotting out. This was found at a Mercedes dealer while they were performing a normal scheduled service. They quoted a price to replace the subframe at $3400. It has chewed up my right rear tire and they suggested I replace all four tires at a cost of $1275

NHTSA ODI 11470779

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed the smell of gasoline. The contact started the vehicle with no issues however, the gasoline odor was still in the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the fuel lines running underneath the rear passenger’s seat were leaking and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic referred the contact to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11465494

Brought car in for routine PA inspection and was told the rear subframe is beginning corrode and will eventually need to be replaced soon as it will not pass inspection. This is a known Mercedes Benz issue and yet there has no recall to date. Could potentially lead to a fatal car accident as the corrosion is not obvious.

NHTSA ODI 11464387

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the shift lever would not operate, and the vehicle could not be shifted into gear to be driven. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11445921

Gas smell from left rear of vehicle wheel well. As fuel smell inside of car

NHTSA ODI 11444940

The transmission shifts hard, with cluck. This is a know problem, according to the Mercedes service manager. My question is why hasn't the manufacturer been made to recall or at least repair it at NO cost to the owner? This is a expensive repair.

NHTSA ODI 11442464

Automatic Transmission shifts into Park while driving under 6km/h - resulting in sudden stops when pulling onto a road or into an intersection. The creates very unsafe driving conditions. Please refer to attached XENTRY Bulletin issued: Daimler AG 7-09-2015

NHTSA ODI 11442072

I smell gas in the garage after I fill up my vehicle. I do not over-fill the tank, I remove the gas filler nozzle when it turns off automatically. I feel this is an unsafe condition. I have not yet taken the vehicle to a dealer to investigate this problem. According to my research, this vehicle model has a history of this same complaint in earlier models and was repaired by the dealers no charge through model years 2009. The condition has obviously not been remedied after this defect was discovered.

NHTSA ODI 11429987

Pre-safe inoperative warning message comes on at random times. I’ve taken the vehicle in to address this issue, but Mercedes claims they did not see the message, and there are no error codes. I purchased this vehicle because it comes with this safety feature - I find it unacceptable that it does not function.

NHTSA ODI 11429988

The component that failed was the front passenger wheel. The safety of others were not affected, however, because of the nature of the incident, the vehicle had to come to a stop in the middle of the highway and then the driver, my husband, was able to pull the car over to the shoulder. My husband originally thought he had a flat because the car was hard to steer, but upon further investigation after removing the front passenger tire/wheel, he noticed that the wheel had a large crack that had broken away from part of the tire. No warning indicator lights appeared on the dashboard before or during the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11426879

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was smoking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the local dealer an hour before the failure and was diagnosed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil. Additionally, the contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the local dealer had concealed the condition of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,499.

NHTSA ODI 11424080

While using the adaptive cruise system (Distronic plus) on an open section of interstate highway the system will act as though it detects cars where there are none. Sometimes this will result in a slight slowing down of the car without the braking warning signal, but sometimes the braking warning signal will come on and is followed by aggressive braking for no apparent reason. This has happened several times where the system falsely detects the need to decelerate on its own when there is nothing in the road to cause it.

NHTSA ODI 11423711

A Summary of the May 9, 2021, event follows: 6:30 a.m: I Woke up, put on gym clothes and shoes and drove to gym (1 mile from home). 7:01:40 a.m. Turned into the gym parking lot and slowly inched into a parking space. (my Mercedes rides low in the front so I pull in slowly so the block will not scrape my bumper). 7:02:00 a.m. As I pull slowly into the parking space the car stalls and the engine begins revving very loud. I firmly press my right foot (foot was already on the brake as I was inching into the space) on the brake because the car is still making that revving sound. 7:02:15 a.m. The car is at a complete stop for some time. The engine begins revving even louder and surges forward (foot was still on the brake) four feet. The car hits the brick gym building and comes to a standstill. I turn off the engine and sit there stunned. ( A witness signed a statement and said "car was at a complete stop for some time...thought driver would open her door and get out but then the car suddenly surged forward and hit the building"). After getting out of my car and inspecting the wrecked car, I notice the gas cap is open and I shut it. The police show up, and say "no police report" will be made. I have some injuries (concussion, bruises over full torso and legs) but I treat patients with TBIs so self-diagnosed and treated my injuries without seeking additional medical attention. On May 9, 2021, I call CSAA and report the accident. After several conversations with CSAA Claims Advisor Karl Arnold, it appears the car frame is damaged, and repair costs exceed value of car. The building had no damage. I then attempted to access relevant data on the EDR and was misled by the Mercedes Fairfield dealership, Service Unit. I was told by Josh “the data is irretrievable, and you can’t get it”. I asked why would Congress pass the EDR in to law making EDRs mandatory and data belongs to owner, if it is not retrievable? He had no answer. [xxx] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *cc

NHTSA ODI 11418645

I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS IN THE GARAGE WHENEVER THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE MERCEDES DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING GAS. THE VEHICLE HAS A METAL GAS TANK AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BUILT INTO THE GAS TANK AND THEREFORE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4209.65.

NHTSA ODI 11416128

BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO REAR WHEELS ROTTEN, STARTED LEAKING. VEHECLE HAS 35000 MILES, ACCORDING TO VITI MECEDES BENZ DEALER, THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM THAT THEY REPORTED IN THE PAST,NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11415029

JAN 18,2019 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2019010001 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER19V010 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE MERCEDES BENZ ALERTED ME OF THE PROBLEM 2 YEARS AGO AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE NOR PROVIDED THE TIMING TO DO SO. I OWN A LUXURY, VERY EXPENSIVE MODEL. PER THE RECALL, THE FAULTY AIR BAG IS DANGEROUS. IT STATED THAT: ' UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES DURING A CRASH THAT NECESSITATES FRONTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE DEFECT IN YOUR PASSENGER-SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO EXPLODE. A PASSENGER-SIDE INFLATOR EXPLOSION DURING DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE FRONT PASSENGER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.' I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND IT IS THEIR OBLIGATION TO CORRECT A DEFECT THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. SAFETY RISK: ACCORDING TO TAKATA, IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATOR EXPLOSION, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. REMEDY: AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG. PLEASE ADVISE HOW I CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND HAVE THE NECESSARY REPAIR COMPLETED NOW. I CANNOT WAI ANY LONGER, OTHER WISE, I WILL SEEK LEGAL DAMAGES. I WOULD PREFER A FASTER WAY TO RESOLVE THIS RATHER THAN GOING TO COURT.

NHTSA ODI 11406353

FAILED CAM SELENOID TRIGGERED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THROWING CODES BECAUSE OIL HAS TRAVELED INTO THE WIRE HARNESS. BODY/WIRE HARNESS REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS AFFECTED 02 SENSORS FROM OIL SATURATION

NHTSA ODI 11404258