Mercedes-Benz E350 years to avoid (and the best years)
1,144 NHTSA owner complaints and 17 recalls across 7 model years, 2010 to 2016. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,144complaints
- 17recalls
- 55reported crashes
- 22reported fires
- 46reported injuries
Which Mercedes-Benz E350 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes-Benz E350 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes-Benz E350 year has 183 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2014 (278).
What are the best Mercedes-Benz E350 years?
The Mercedes-Benz E350 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2015 (31), 2016 (51) and 2013 (161). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 51 | 0.3× | 5 | 5 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 31 | 0.2× | 6 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 278 | 1.5× | 8 | 10 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Brakes |
| 2013 | 161 | 0.9× | 6 | 15 | 13 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2012 | 217 | 1.2× | 7 | 6 | 5 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 223 | 1.2× | 5 | 9 | 8 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 183 | 1.0× | 4 | 9 | 6 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 409 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts170 (42%)
- Engine & powertrain100 (24%)
- Structure & body46 (11%)
- Steering, suspension & tires33 (8%)
- Brakes25 (6%)
Recalls (17)
Exterior lighting · 22V168000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2010
Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V638000 · Aug 2021 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V010000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V043000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V627000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Electrical system · 17V177000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Airbags · 17V017000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 16V899000 · Dec 2016 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
Airbags · 16V363000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 16V081000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fuel system · 15V792000 · Nov 2015 · model year 2014
If the fuel feed line has the incorrect flare fitting, the connection between the fuel hose and the fuel feed line might develop a leak or may completely disconnect. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire and if the fuel feed line disconnects, the vehicle would stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 15V505000 · Aug 2015 · model year 2016
If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the engine or exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.
Structure · 15V088000 · Feb 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 14V818000 · Dec 2014 · model year 2015
If the middle position double seat belt buckle assembly fails under load such as in a severe frontal crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Fuel system · 12V557000 · Dec 2012 · model years 2011, 2012
If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Airbags · 12V492000 · Oct 2012 · model year 2012
In the event of an accident necessitating the deployment of the right window curtain air bag, the improper stitching may cause it to deflate more quickly than intended, reducing the protection it may provide, resulting in an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.