What 300 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with a fuel tank leak. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V792000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11666239

The rear brake lines, along with the rear subframe have experienced severe rust and corrosion.

NHTSA ODI 11666120

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, there was an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. The contact stated that there were no signs of a fuel leaked on the garage floor. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V792000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664889

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance, and it was determined that the entire rear sub frame was rusted. Additionally, all four brake lines were rusted. The contact stated that the warranty was extended on the frame rust. The dealer determined that there was no recall on the VIN. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no coverage for the repair on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11659433

I had a sudden smell of fuel when I looked outside the vehicle I noticed a leak under driver side back seat area under vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11658966

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and steering assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11652348

Driving home on a 30MPH street, had the brake light go on and felt the brake petal sink to the floor when I had to stop. Very concerning was grateful I wasn’t going faster. Cautiously made it home, and when I took it to the shop, they diagnosed that the brake lines had corroded. This is a huge safety concern and should be a recall as it could be fatal in certain circumstances.

NHTSA ODI 11645672

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact was informed by his wife of the failure, but recently the fuel odor had become more prominent. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed about a fuel leak. The fuel tank access underneath the rear seat had leaked fuel into the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11641796

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a fuel odor coming from the exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the fuel odor was around the exterior of the vehicle while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639735

Car unexpectedly swerves while driving!!

NHTSA ODI 11636965

Rear brake lines have rusted out causing a safety concern. Mercedes will not extend the warranty to repair the recognized inferior parts as they did for the rear subframe. The rusty rear brake lines are related to the rusted subframe which was repaired under extended warranty by Mercedes at no cost. The same should apply to the rear brake lines. I am currently having the rear brake lines replaced due to this rust and safety issue. Please require Mercedes to extend the warranty and related repair to the rear brake lines as it is systemic to these cars.

NHTSA ODI 11633802

While driving in stop and go traffic I heard a loud popping noise from the dash area and smoke started filling the cabin. I called a DC area dealer service dept and was told to exit the DC beltway and un plug the audio amplifier in the trunk left access door That stopped the popping noise and the smoke .

NHTSA ODI 11633188

The emergency brake often gets stuck, especially on cold days. I have to repeatedly push and release it or manually adjust it by pushing behind the brake to return it to the release position. This problem starts on 28000 Mile on this car

NHTSA ODI 11630672

The heater temperature is not consistent and keeps fluctuating. When I set the temperature to 80°F, it initially blows hot air, but after about 10 seconds, it starts blowing colder air. To get consistently hot air, I have to set the temperature to the maximum.

NHTSA ODI 11630673

Dealer reports that, in addition to the dangerous corrosion on rear subframe covered by the extended warranty program, the rear brake lines are dangerously corroded and may fail at any time. I inquired about how this is even possible as I am accustomed to vehicles with cupronickel brake lines that do not corrode. I was told they are merely enameled steel on this model and prone to premature corrosion where they are mounted to the chassis with plastic clips that wear off the enamel and allow premature corrosion and eventually catastrophic failure. I was also told the replacement parts are now cupronickel, indicating Mercedes understands the original design was defective. I believe this should have been covered under the same program as the rear subframe, not be used as an upsell tool to customers affected by that issue. I also believe steel brake lines should just be banned outright for all vehicles, the risk of rupture due to corrosion leading to brake failure is far too high.

NHTSA ODI 11627957

10/14/21 Was cautioned that the rear brake lines and caliper hoses were very corroded. Mileage 43,185 10/19/22 Cautioned about rear brake lines. Mileage 48,459 12/11/23 Rear brake lines replacement cost $4497. Repair not done at that time. Mileage 53,375. Again cautioned. 10/30/24 service date- Was informed that the rear subframe was corroded and would be replaced by Mercedes-Benz. I have photos from the dealer. There are holes in the rear subframe.The brake lines could be replaced at the same time at a cost of $2820 due to the fact it is in same area. Mileage 58,597 I asked M-B Customer Service to cover the rear brake lines as the under coating was not sufficient to protect the rear subframe and brake lines. They rejected my claim. I was told others have also tried to get M-B to cover this cost and were rejected. My vehicle has very few miles for its age. I have never had to replace rear brake lines in the 40 years I have owned a Mercedes Benz vehicle. I believe that they have not adequately protected the undercarriage from weather. The rear subframe is my evidence. At some point these brake lines could fail. They will be replaced. I want the manufacturer to cover the cost of the brake lines when the rear subframe is replaced. Please advise.

NHTSA ODI 11626569

As I went to have my vehicle inspected, the mechanic advised me that it could not be inspected, that the car is totaled because the rear subframe is all rotted and the brackets holding the trailing arms were broke off and said that this was a common problem with these vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11626631

Rear brake line corrosion

NHTSA ODI 11622814

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a fuel odor perforating through the interior of the vehicle. The driver later reported feeling ill which she attributed to the fuel odor in the vehicle and determined to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was able to smell the fuel odor but was unable to provide a diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V792000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620427

Brake lines are rusted and corroded. It appears that the rust may have spread from rust on the rear subframe. The rear subframe warranty was extended for premature rust and failure, but the brake lines are not covered. This could have led to a dangerous situation. I've never had a vehicles brake lines rust like this. They should also extend the warranty coverage to cover rusted brake lines.

NHTSA ODI 11620210

2014 Mercedes E350 with 129,000 miles. It was discovered recently that the subframe was rusted, and a hole had formed. The subframe was replaced under extended warranty offered by Mercedes. During the replacement, the dealership discovered that the metal rear brake lines are also rusted.

NHTSA ODI 11618830

Fuel system gasoline smell of gas and the threading in the crease of seats coming apart .. I noticed that some of the E350 2014 has the fuel systems gasoline problem … all of the E350 are having this fuel gasoline problem

NHTSA ODI 11618976

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but no cause for the odor was found. The vehicle continued to experience failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11617648

I have a 2014 E350 Coupe. It has a major fuel leak that is immensely dangerous and could cause immediate harm/death if I did not remove the seat and inspect the fuel line. There is a recall on the 4 door model for reference. 15V-792 / 2015110006 Recall Summary A fitting that joins the fuel hose and fuel feed line may develop a leak or completely disconnect. This can cause a fire hazard, fuel odor and potentially stall the engine while operating the vehicle. The fuel line fitting connecting the fuel hose and fuel feed line may be flared improperly, causing a possible leak or disconnection of the fuel line. Dealers will install the correct fuel line free of charge to resolve the concern. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014 E350 and E350 4Matic sedans manufactured June 4, 2014, to July 9, 2014. The affected vehicles were built with a fuel feed line that has a single flare fitting instead of a double flare fitting.

NHTSA ODI 11616525

Brake pedal became "spongy" and then total brake failure with dashboard warnings to check brake fluid. Caused by corroded brake lines that failed and allowed all brake fluid to be lost in the system. Extremely dangerous as no braking was available.

NHTSA ODI 11616132