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

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of gasoline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V088000 (STRUCTURE). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11673382

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

Rear subframe snapped under hard braking on the highway and caused my to veer into leftmost lane. It was terrifying and a severe hazard on the highway. Had vehicle towed to my house. I lifted and inspected my car and found the rear subframe was rusted and a crack straight through. The rear brake lines were also severely corroded and are very close to failing. Front brake lines have no corrosion. It seems that the rear subframe and rear brake lines have the same anti rust coating which are clearly not sufficient.

NHTSA ODI 11609273

took car in for an oil change. Have been hearing some noises in the rear. Mechanic just called telling us the rear sub frame rusted out. We have had the car 6 years. It has never been in a flood. we live in new jersey, no where near the shore.

NHTSA ODI 11603759

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the contact was informed that the rear driver's side control arm was severely corroded and had detached from the subframe. The contact was also informed that the failure caused premature tire wear on both rear tires. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the subframe and rear driver's side control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11586561

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

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

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

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

The contact’s wife owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear of the vehicle was swerving. The contact stated while the brake pedal was depressed, the rear of the vehicle shifted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11501098

Our mechanic reports a dime-sized rust hole in the rear subframe.

NHTSA ODI 11494601

The rear sub-frame involving vehicle stability under braking and turning. A component that should remain attached to the vehicle has broken off due to corrosion. My vehicle is not that old that a key structural component of the car should break at the weld/attachment point. I have video of this defect. But its greater than 10MB and will not let me upload it is there an email I can send it to ?

NHTSA ODI 11490604

2014 E350 with 41,000 miles. Rusted subframe and was informed that it represented unsafe and risky driving conditions. Reported this to manufacturer as, apparently, it is a very common problem with certain Mercedes classes. No recall and very expensive fix ($4500)! Not my idea of a safe and reliable car, as Mercedes likes to advertise. Consumers should not be responsible for manufacturing defects/ poor quality of materials used ..... and should definitely not be exposed to unsafe conditions when operating their vehicle!

NHTSA ODI 11488610

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the subframe was rusted. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11487676

Mercedes Benz E350 2014 - Panoramic Sunroof rattling and squeaking noise/sound: This issue has been reported by many online, and it is a well known problem with E350. It starts with a little bit of squeak and metallic rattle noise here and there, and then after a year or so it is almost happening all the time as you drive the car. Dealer states that Sunroof Frame bolts have to be retorqued and loose bolts which rattle around have to be put back on. Estimated cost $712. If not a safety risk causing Pano sunroof to eventually fly off, it should definitely be a recall as many E350 owners have reported the same issue, and it is a manufacturer defect.

NHTSA ODI 11421607

TRUNK HAS OPENED 6 - 8 TIMES ON ITS OWN. IN JUST OVER 5,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP AND TWO DOCUMENTED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE TRUNK OPENS ON ITS OWN IN NEARLY ANY COMBINATION OF; IN MOTION, STOPPED, IN GEAR, OUT OF GEAR, MODERATE SPEED (40-50 MPH), LOW SPEED (A CRAWL) COOL TEMPS., WARM TEMPS., TOP UP, TOP DOWN. I HAVE EVEN TRIED, WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, TO DELIBERATELY OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE KEY FOB AND WITH THE DOOR MOUNTED RELEASE. IT DID NOT OPEN WHEN I TRIED TO REPLICATE AN UNINTENTIONAL OPENING. MOST RECENT INCIDENT, 10/24/2020- WHILE IN MY GARAGE, TEMPERATURE COOL ~ 65 DEGREES, KEY IN IGNITION ENGINE AND RUNNING FOR ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES, BOTH CAR DOORS CLOSED, PUTTING ON SEAT BELT, EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL ON, STILL IN PARK, HEARD THE TRUNK POP OPEN. CONFIRMED THE OPEN TRUNK IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR. THE EIGHT + MONTHS BETWEEN THIS OCCURRENCE AND THE LAST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IS MISLEADING AS THE CAR'S BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 500 MILES BETWEEN THE LAST REPAIR AND WHEN THE TRUNK OPENED ON ITS OWN THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11366193

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN 880 UNTIL I SUDDENLY HEARD A CRACKLINGS NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR. I HAD JUST GOTTEN THE CAR SERVICED A WEEK BEFORE SO THIS WAS VERY UNPLEASANT AND SURPRISING. I ENDED UP TURNING BACK AND PARKING MY CAR AT HOME. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALER I STILL HEARD THE NOISE AND THERE WAS A WEIRD BURNING SMELL. THE NOISE CONTINUED EVEN AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SPEAKER HAD MELTED AND THEY ALSO CHANGED MY AMP. IN MY DEALER NOTES, IT STATES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES YET IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331863

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SMOKE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE SPEAKER LOCATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS (1705 BOGGS RD NW, DULUTH, GA 30096, (770) 279-3600) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPEAKER BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11257974

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPEAKER AND WINDOW BEGAN TO SMOKE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL RUBBER AND BURNING ODOR AND A CRACKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF DENVER (940 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO 80246, (303) 953-4581), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,950.

NHTSA ODI 11256099

THIS VEHICLE IS. A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ E350 CABRIOLET ON THIS VECHILE THERE IS A LATCH ON FRONT SEATS THAT IF PULLED FORWARD WILL MAKE WAY TO ENTER REAR SEATS BEING THAT IDLY IS A TWO DOOR CAR THIS IS THE SAME LAY OUT FOR ACCESSING BACK SEATS FOR THE COUPE MODEL THE LATCH THAT MUST BE PULLED IS SOME KIND OF PLASTIC COVERED IN SOME KIND OF METAL. DECORATIVE MATERIAL THIS METAL HAS PEELED OF WITH NO CAUSE HE EDGES OF THIS METAL THAT IS DEFECTIVE ON THESE CARS IS EXTREMELY SHARP WE HAVE SEVERELY CUT ARE HANDS WITH OUT REALIZING THESE DEFECT WAS THERE I WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER CARS ALSO HAVE THESE PROBLEM IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF THE VEHICLE YOU MUST PHYSICALLY GRAB WITH YOUR HANDS TO HAVE BACK SEAT ACCESS THIS PATCH IS VERY DANGEROUSE PLEASE BE CARFULL IT CAN APPEAR OUT OF NO WHERE LIKE IT HAPPENED TO US EVERY THING WAS OK THEN THE METAL COATING JUST BECAME DEFECTIVE AND PEELING OF ON ITS OWN PS I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM SERVICE ADVISORS THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED THE BROWN STUFF ON THE LATCH IS BANDAIDS WE PLACED THERE SO OUR CHILDREN DON'T GET INJURED FROM THE METAL

NHTSA ODI 11001831

MY WIFE WAS AT THE FINAL STAGE OF PARKING THE CAR ,MEANS,SLOWING THE CAR BY PUSHING THE BREAK THE CAR IN THE PARKING SLOT.WHEN SHE WAS IN POSITION TO STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY GOT ACCELERATION UNCONTROLLED.TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER SHE TURN WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND WITH MAX. SPEED CAR JUMPED THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE ISLAND WITH THE TREE .TREE STOPPED THE CAR AND CAR AND TREE WAS DESTROY .SHE WAS DISTRESS.SHOCK AND TILL NOW HAS A NIGHTMARES.

NHTSA ODI 10716054

MY CAR HAS AN ELECTRONIC TRUNK CLOSURE. WITH THIS FEATURE, WHEN SOMEONE KICKS THEIR FOOT UNDER THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR, THE TRUNK LID OPENS OR CLOSES AUTOMATICALLY, ASSUMING HE OR SHE HAS THE CAR FOB IN HIS OR HER POSSESSION. MY WIFE HAS HAD THE TRUNK LID CLOSE ON HER HEAD ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE TAKING ITEMS OUR OF THE TRUNK. SHE INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED THE AUTOMATIC CLOSURE WHILE LEANING INTO THE TRUNK. THE FIRST TIME, THE TRUNK LID HIT THE BACK OF HER HEAD, THE SECOND TIME IT HIT HER FOREHEAD. IN EACH CASE FOR SEVERAL DAYS FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, SHE HAD HEADACHES AND SWELLING AT THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH A BLACK AND BLUE MARK ON HER FOREHEAD THE SECOND TIME. SHE TOOK MEDICATION TO RELIEVE THE HEADACHES AND APPLIED ICE PACKS TO REDUCE THE SWELLING OF HER HEAD. WHILE MY WIFE IS OK NOW, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY HURT BY THIS POORLY DESIGNED CAR FEATURE. THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE AUTOMOBILE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10692765

IN OCTOBER OF 2013 I LEASED A 2014 MERCEDES E350. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT AT MY HOME ON 12/25/13 AND UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE ON 12/26/13, I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK EXTENDING APPROXIMATELY 15 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND UP TO THE CENTER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT MY HOME ON 12/25/13 THIS LARGE 15 INCH CRACK DID NOT EXIST. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP ON 12/27/13 AND WAS TOLD THE HUGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WAS CAUSED BY A SMALL IMPACT, ABOUT THE DIAMETER OF A PENCIL POINT JUST BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. THE EXTREMELY SMALL PENCIL POINT DIAMETER IMPACT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO DEVELOP THE CRACK OVERNIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT MY HOME, SINCE THE LARGE CRACK DIDN'T EXIST WHEN I LAST EXITED MY VEHICLE AT MY HOME ON 12/25/13. I BELIEVE THAT IF SUCH A SMALL PENCIL POINT SIZED IMPACT AS ALLEGED BY THE DEALER, COULD CAUSE SUCH A LARGE CRACK TO DEVELOP OVERNIGHT WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT MY HOME, THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE AND THE WEAKNESS OF THE E350 WINDSHIELD POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10557845

MY HUSBAND AND I JUST PURCHASED A 2014 MERCEDES E 350 CONVERTIBLE AND THE FIRST TIME I PLACED A STANDARD SIZE WATER BOTTLE IN THE CUP HOLDER IT FELL UNDER THE PEDALS ON THE FIRST TURN. THE CUP HOLDER ARE NOT SAFE TO USE FOR ANY CUPS OR BOTTLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10551134