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

I want to report a structural issue with the Mercedes rear subframe rusting. Three Mercedes dealers told me that it is common but there is no recall. The mechanic told me that if this is not corrected the back wheel will fall off while you are driving. There are no warning lamps. Please help.

NHTSA ODI 11461802

Rusted Rear Subframe presenting a safety hazard. Possible separation of suspension link could lead to loss of control. Brought the 2014 Mercedes Benz E350 (85000 miles) in to the local dealership today for spark plug replacement. Technician performed a visual inspection of the underside of the vehicle and found that the rear subframe had rusted completely through making the care unsafe to drive. Car has been driven in Maryland since new and never exposed to any extraordinary corrosive elements that you might find on roads in colder climates. Car is in otherwise excellent shape with no other visible rust and has never been involved in an accident. The failure of a major suspension component like this on a car in otherwise excellent condition leads me to believe that there is a defect in the manufacturing of the rear subframe component. A quick Google search shows that other Mercedes vehicles suffer from this same problem. NHTSA ID Number: 11456512 also reports the same problem on the same model car. I have not had the problem repaired yet as I am deciding on next steps. Replacement estimate is approximately $4000. If I have the work done, I will retain the old subframe for inspection by NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11461357

The car was brought in for scheduled maintenance and they told me that my rear sub frame rusted out and had snapped. Car is only 7 years old, always garaged, basically a main part rusted out. Mercedes prides itself on durability and safety. There were no warning lights, alarms, nothing. Whenever I braked the rear end of the car would slide to the left and I had to try and adjust accordingly. Prior to bringing the car in for its maintenance I was reluctant to drive it on highways and at higher speeds. Now that I am aware of the problem, had the rear of the car given out while I was on a highway, I had the potential to roll over and possibly blown up had the gas tank been impacted. I researched the issue on Google and found many instances of others having the same issue, with the same part, luckily no one appears to have been killed as yet. As I mentioned this was never picked up during all the scheduled maintenance work, nor state inspections, all handled by this dealership. The dealership is in the process of replacing the part and all work associated with that replacement. I don't know if they kept the part or tossed it out, but will ask. No one else has seen the car or rusted part other than the dealership. I'm also sending you a copy of the letter I sent to he dealership and Mercedes-Benz Home Office.

NHTSA ODI 11456512

I HAVE A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ E250 DIESEL, I COMPLAINED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANS AND ENGINE HAS TO GET USED TO MY DRIVING HABITS,,,LOL....IT'S STILL DOING IT, ALSO THE SUSPENSION ON THE 2014 IS HORRIBLE U CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP, CRACK, POT HOLE, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION, I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 HIT A POT HOLE FOR THE COST OF THIS CAR AND THE BENZ REPUTATION, IT SOUND LIKE I CRASHED INTO A WALL AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT OF THE CAR FELL OFF I HAD A 2006 ECLASS, AND THE 2014 IS NOTHING LIKE IT, IT'S CHEAP, DRIVES LIKE A 50 YEAR OLD CAR, DON'T BUY IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10660590