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

I’m getting a pre-safe inoperative message on my dashboard all the time, the Mercedes dealership is telling me the driver side seat belt needs to be replaced. This is a safety issue. This vehicle has 40,000 miles on it and it’s a family car that was extremely expensive this is unacceptable, Mercedes should pay for the seat belt replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11566421

RE: VIN# [XXX] I am the owner of the above referenced vehicle, a 2014 E350 4matic sedan, showing 98,000 miles on the odometer. On Friday [XXX] I was alerted by Mercedes Benz of Portsmouth, NH that the rear brake line on my vehicle had ruptured. I asked if I could see the failure, and they were happy to show me. I was dismayed at what I saw and took photos which I have included here. The extensive amount of corrosion was shocking. I also own a 2003 chevy plow truck that was driven on salt covered roads that did not require brake line repair for 18 years. I would not expect brake hardline failure at 9 years for a Mercedes product. Disappointed that my car was not able to be driven, I asked for a price for the repair. It was explained to me that Mercedes could not repair just the area of the failure, but instead had to replace the entire line. I understood this as the line was impaired in other areas as well, and posed a safety issue. The quote for the repair was $3,500.00 dollars. The quote represented approximately one third of the vehicle's value, I opted to have it towed and repaired the failed sections myself. (photos of cutout failed sections enclosed here). The car is now drivable, however the remainder of the hardline is still very corroded in other areas of the vehicle. Because of this I would respectfully ask that Mercedes Benz please correct this ongoing safety issue at their cost. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11566552

On 11/24/23 Mercedes Benz had replaced my subframe which was part of a safety recall. When I arrived home after picking up my vehicle, there was a loud bang from under the vehicle. I immediately called the service department and told them about what happened and also complained that the steering wheel was cocked to the left and pulling in that direction. My service advisor John advised me to bring it back the next day which I did. They never told me what caused the loud bang, but they did say another front end alignment was done. The vehicle still continued to pull and the steering wheel was still off center. On [XXX] I took my car to Mr. Tire for a tire rotation because the car continued to sway and jolt when going over bumps. It also made a popping noise when making a sharp turn. Then on [XXX] as I was driving, the car pulled or slid to the left. In order to keep from crashing into another vehicle, I pulled the wheel right causing me to run over the medium and almost crashing into a building. I was extremely shook up and in disbelief. Has this type of thing ever happened to anyone else before after the subframe was replaced? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11564988

Was driving the car with my family close to home and the brake light came on. I drove home and noticed break fluid under the car. I took the car to Leober Mercedes in Skokie Il where I purchased the car and where I sometimes had it serviced. They told me my rear brake lining was corroded and it would be close to $4k to repair. I had it repaired but new that had to be a product defect since that just doesn’t happen as part of normal wear and tear and especially not to a car that has 57773 miles and hasn’t been flooded and that was regularly serviced. I’ve also found out that others have had the same issue with their Mercedes.

NHTSA ODI 11563888

Driving on a highway approximately 65 MPH. Had to break fairly hard due to unexpected traffic. When breaking, my car fishtailed and I thought I was going to hit the vehicle in front of me. I immediately took my car to my independent, Mercedes-certified repair shop. My mechanic informed me that it was a problem with the rear subframe. I then took it to Mercedes for an inspection. They confirmed that the rear subframe was rusted and needs immediate repair. I was told not to drive the vehicle as it is extremely unsafe. Mercedes is aware of this problem. There was a class action lawsuit filed in February of 2023. Mercedes supposedly informed owners of the potential problem, but I was never notified. I only became aware of this dangerous subframe problem as a result of this incident.

NHTSA ODI 11563509

Purchased and installed OEM diesel fuel filter made by Mann part WK820/17 or 171103 on [XXX] and drove for 9500 miles. On [XXX] I checked fuel filter as I could smell diesel fuel near the car for the last 2 weeks. Fuel filter heating element/H2O sensor was cracked and seeping fuel once fuel pump was turned on. Unit is available for inspection Safety issue-leaking fuel No inspection by police, manufacturer. I did contact RM EUROPEAN Auto Parts in Colorado who sold the part and am waiting to hear back. No warning lamps or CEL illuminated, only the smell of fuel with top of filter and engine coated in diesel fuel. (Tried to upload photos but "Upload Files" button just goes blank.) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). The contact stated the fuel appears to be leaking from the electrical heating element. possibly where the rubber has split open.

NHTSA ODI 11563640

- On 12/28/2023, Car developed a brake fluid in the rear near the differential after sitting, unused, for 3 weeks. - Car is available for inspection. - Brake system operates with diminished capacity. - An appointment has been scheduled with an independant repair center. - The brake warning light illuminated and a brake fluid warning message appears when the vehicle is started.

NHTSA ODI 11562532

The subframe corroded causing an unsafe potentially hazardous condition. Also the brake line was were corroded causing imminent brake failure. The rear springs rusted from the corrosion subframe defect..Mercedes required 2800 dollars from me to remedy the problem

NHTSA ODI 11557823

The parking brake frequently gets stuck and will not release when prompted even while driving the vehicle. Usually takes several attempts before the parking brake will release and disengage. The vehicle cannot be driven with the parking brake engaged.

NHTSA ODI 11553212

My Cars Fuel Sender/Pump unit is leaking and it was diagnosed by Mercedes-Benz of chandler. I will attach report for same. they have given estimate for 1800 to repair it. this is common problem across multiple Mercedes vehicles and they have done recall on other models on this but they have excluded my model. since the Problem is generic to many mercedez vehicles they should honor this in safety recall. please see this article about this recall on other models. they have highlighted to me that its a safety issue as there is strong fuel odor from car on this. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11550907

While cruising , car stalled after it beeped intermittently for a few minutes . On checking , the shop found that ignition switch assembly module has failed & stopped working . Strangely , the Mercedes-Benz dealer on Montgomery Road , Cincinnati refused to fix this , though the car was initially towed to them . This is suspicious action on the part of Mercedes-Benz dealer . The dealer acted as if they do not want this problem to become public .

NHTSA ODI 11549545

Rear brake hard lines are corroded and leaking. Loss of rear brakes and fluid while driving. Rear subframe corrosion is being addressed by recall/warranty extension but this coverage has not been extended to the premature failure of brake lines. The rest of the car is not rusted or corroded, only rear brake lines and recalled rear subframe are rusted and corroded. Attached photos show the condition of brake lines and additional photo shows the rest of the car in a rust free condition.

NHTSA ODI 11544219

Car control was diminished and braking caused car to pull hard. Creaking noise from rear end. Removed rear wheel to find frame had perforation where rear wheel has linkage to frame.

NHTSA ODI 11541127

Electrical burning smell and buzzing coming from car entertainment system speakers. Did not stop even when entertainment system was turned off. Had engineer diagnose and issue is the rear subwoofer. Had to remove fuse or disconnect cables to stop issue.

NHTSA ODI 11541131

Rear electrical sunshade stopped retracting causing poor visibility at night.

NHTSA ODI 11541133

While driving on a local road, my wife lost control over the steering wheel of our 2014 Mercedes-Benz (MB) E350 sedan (the instrumental panel showed "Power Steering Malfunction: see attached photo)". It was a very dangerous situation, but she somehow managed to find a place to pull over and call me. It could've been much more dangerous if this occurred on highway. We found some information about the Power Steering Failure recall and our 2014 E350 was included as an affected car. Here is the website with that information: https://repairpal.com/recall/16V899000 However, our local Mercedes Dealer checked and found our car was not included in the recall list. The problem we encountered is identical to the nature of the recall, so we don't understand why our car is not included. The dealer recommended me to call MB Customer Service, which recommended me to contact NHTSA, so I'm contacting it. I hope you help us drive safely by adding MB 2014 MB E350 into the recall list. We need the car desperately as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your help.

NHTSA ODI 11541187

Motor mounts and transmission mounts continue to fail at intervals or 13,000 miles and again at 16,000 miles. Vibration of transmission is scary. Mercedes has replaced the mounts many times. They refuse to install new Transmission mount now after only 16,000 miles on the replacement. I have contacted MBUSA and they are telling me , they will not help with these substandard parts. Very well-known issue.

NHTSA ODI 11538058

My electric power steering failed. It often resets and can be unpredictable when it wants to fail again. It’s an intermittent problem that local dealer tried to fix with a software update but did not work. I was told I need a new steering rack at $5-6k which is unacceptable for any vehicle that has been maintained it’s whole life . My car is 8 years old with 100,000 miles with full service records I feel like this is a premature failure of the electric power steering

NHTSA ODI 11516639

The rear subframe of my vehicle failed at the lower trailing arm mounting point (passenger side). This resulted in the car swerving to the right when I applied pressure to the brake pedal, which was worse at higher speeds. This had been getting progressively worse for a few weeks until I almost spun out on the highway while braking. The next day, I randomly got a flat tire on the rear right side while driving at 30MPH near Valley Street in Providence. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. I immediately replaced the tire and brought it to Midas on Mineral Spring Ave in North Providence, RI, so that they could inspect the vehicle. They discovered that the rear subframe was almost completely disconnected at the lower trailing arm mounting point due to excessive rust that had wore a hole in the part from the inside-out, which was not visible at the time of the last inspection. Midas immediately informed me that the car was unsafe to drive more than the distance back to my house. They also informed me that 3 tires needed to be replaced, including the flat, as a result of excessive wear on the inner wall and the inner edge of the tread. None of these three tires had reached the wear bars yet, and Midas confirmed they would not have had to be replaced if not for the subframe defect. I had the car towed to Mercedes-Benz of Warwick after Midas replaced the 3 tires (RL, RR, FR) because I heard that Mercedes had recently extended the warranty period for rear subframes (only months after a class action lawsuit was filed about the issue). Mercedes inspected the vehicle and confirmed the issue, and is currently replacing the rear subframe under the new extended warranty program for rear subframes. However, they refuse to reimburse me for the other issues directly caused by the corroded rear subframe (which they admit liability for when they replace the part free of charge), stating they have been instructed by corporate that related issues are not covered.

NHTSA ODI 11516430

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the brake lines were extremely rusted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: DP20004. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515448

Power steering went out while driving/malfunctioned. This apparently affects other E-Class models, but mine is not among those listed in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11510353

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that the parking brake release failed to release as needed. The failure recurred several times however, the contact could not recall how the parking brake was released. On one occasion AAA released the parking brake however, the contact was unsure how the AAA mechanic was able to release the parking brake. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the parking brake, and the brake cable had failed to disengage as designed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but had not yet responded. The approximate failure mileage was 36,400.

NHTSA ODI 11509517

I notice a strong smell of gas inside my vehicle immensing from the back seat area of my car.and it's stronger everytime bi fill up the gas cap is placed back correctly and no top off ever

NHTSA ODI 11509139

The vehicle was inspected during an alignment at a dealership. The sub-frame has rotted out. The car was swaying to the side. I believe this car is dangerous to drive. The repairs are around $5000.00 dollars. There should be a recall on this Mercedes Benz E-Class 350 SUB-FRAMES. It is not safe to be on the road. The dealer is no longer around. The manufacture of this car and so many other Mercedes Benz with the ROTTEN RUSTED SUB-FRAMES should be held responsible to pay for the damages and or replacements. Before someone DIES on the road. A recall for this vehicle needs to be done ASAP! Please HELP! I have a picture of the rotted sub-frame and paperwork .Not sure how to upload Why are other countries recall for free and not the USA?

NHTSA ODI 11507434

The subframe of my vehicle is prematurely rusting, creating the risk of unpredictable, catastrophic failure. This failure could cause loss of control of the vehicle and severe injury and/or death. The vehicle is available for inspection. My independent mechanic is aware this is a known problem with these vehicles, and has been monitoring mine, and his mother’s, for damage. By August 2023, my vehicle will fail Pennsylvania’s safety inspection. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by any entity other than my mechanic. There is no warning, from any system of the vehicle, of the deterioration, extent of deterioration, or impending failure of the subframe.

NHTSA ODI 11502995