U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz E problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

31 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

14,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 to 2011 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 29 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 31 complaints (19.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	6	19.4%
Transmission and shifting	4	12.9%
Braking behavior	3	9.7%
Steering behavior	3	9.7%
Electrical and battery issues	1	3.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel System, Gasoline

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Tires

Air Bags

Fuel/Propulsion System

Electrical System

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Air Bags:Frontal

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Fuel System, Gasoline	6
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	4
Tires	4
Air Bags	3
Fuel/Propulsion System	3
Electrical System	2
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	2
Air Bags:Frontal	1

Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Tires: 4; Air Bags: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 9; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 3

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10469732 · 2012-08-08 (August 8, 2012)

AFTER FUELING UP COMPLETELY, THERE WAS A STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE. IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THIS IS THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF WHERE THE FUEL FILL CAP IS! THERE WERE NO VISIBLE PUDDLES ON MY FLOOR, BUT IT SMELLED AS IF THERE SHOULD BE. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A LITTLE BIT, HOWEVER, IT DOES THIS NOW EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE CAR AND IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 68,311 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469732 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10562603 · 2014-02-02 (February 2, 2014)

AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK WITH GASOLINE, I SMELL AN ODOR OF GAS UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 33,130 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562603 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10263035 · 2009-03-25 (March 25, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ 350E. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 35 TO 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS IF IT ENGAGED INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN FULL POWER AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND THE ASSOCIATED PART NUMBER WAS 14027008-61. THERE HAD NO…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263035 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10356174 · 2010-09-17 (September 17, 2010)

2011 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS-THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC SHIFTER JUST BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL IF IT GOES INTO PARK OR NOT. MY WIFE HAD ENGINE RUNNING, GOT OUT OF CAR TO CHECK THE TRUNK AND THOUGHT SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT STARTED TO MOVE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO JUMP INSIDE AND HIT THE BRAKE. LATER THAT MORNING I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THOUGHT I HIT THE PARK. I GOT OUT LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ON THE PHONE. WHEN FINISHED SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR STARTED TO R…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356174 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10532213 · 2013-07-28 (July 28, 2013)

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SBS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOST BRAKING ABILITY. I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR, TURN AROUND AND RETURN ABOUT 8 MILES TO MY HOME IN "LIMP HOME" MODE. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. I THEN CALL THE MB DEALERSHIP WHICH SENT A TRUCK TO PICK UP THE CAR. THE SBS HYDRAULIC UNIT HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO COST. WHILE I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE COST (NONE), THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH THE LOSS OF BRAKE ABILITY. I TAKE ROAD TRIPS TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 80,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532213 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10215351 · 2008-01-18 (January 18, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 004869. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63. UPDATED 02-15-08. *KB UPDATED 02/15/08 *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 63 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215351 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10377998 · 2011-01-20 (January 20, 2011)

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS: YESTERDAY 1/19/11 WHILE DRIVING ~35-40MPH AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 SUDDENLY &RAPIDLY DECELERATED WHILE MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE AUTO GAVE THE MESSAGE THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEACTIVATED BY THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR ME HAD I BEEN ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE AUTO TO THE DEALERSHIP- MERCEDES BENZ HONOLULU AND THEY OFFERED VERY LITTLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE DEFECTIVENESS OF THE AUTO AND WOULDN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS A COUP…

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377998 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10428751 · 2011-10-05 (October 5, 2011)

COMPLETE FAILURE OF WIRING HARNESS FOR ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INCLUDING DAMAGE TO MASS AIR SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, ECU, ETC. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10428751 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 0; 2010: 1; 2011: 4

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz E model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1994	1	0	Not available
2004	2	0	Not available
2005	5	0	0
2006	1	1	+1
2007	2	2	+1
2008	7	2	0
2009	2	0	-2
2010	1	1	+1
2011	10	4	+3

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

31 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

93.5%Usable mileage29 / 31 records

100.0%Valid incident date31 / 31 records

100.0%Valid filing date31 / 31 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates31 / 31 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Fuel System, Gasoline	150.0% ODI 10432494 · 75,000 mi I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2004 MERCEDES E500 4MATIC WITH 78,000 MILES CURRENTLY ON IT. RECENTLY, AFTER REFUELING THE CAR I HAVE NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AFTER FILLING MY TANK ABOUT 3 TIMES I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE. WITH NOT MUCH SEARCHING I FOUND A FLOOD OF COMPLAINTS FROM MERCEDES OWNERS CLAIMING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS A SAFETY CONCERN AND IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR Look up ODI 10432494 at NHTSA ↗	360.0% ODI 10562603 · 33,130 mi AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK WITH GASOLINE, I SMELL AN ODOR OF GAS UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL. *TR Look up ODI 10562603 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10451777 REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 EVERY TIME I FILL MY TANK THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL, WHICH LASTS UNTIL IT THE TANK LEVEL DECREASES. *TR Look up ODI 10451777 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10263035 · 14,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ 350E. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 35 TO 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS IF IT ENGAGED INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN FULL POWER AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND THE ASSOCIATED PART NUMBER WAS 14027008-61. THERE HAD NO… Look up ODI 10263035 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	330.0% ODI 10356174 · 100 mi 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS-THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC SHIFTER JUST BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL IF IT GOES INTO PARK OR NOT. MY WIFE HAD ENGINE RUNNING, GOT OUT OF CAR TO CHECK THE TRUNK AND THOUGHT SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT STARTED TO MOVE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO JUMP INSIDE AND HIT THE BRAKE. LATER THAT MORNING I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THOUGHT I HIT THE PARK. I GOT OUT LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ON THE PHONE. WHEN FINISHED SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR STARTED TO R… Look up ODI 10356174 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10238909 · 6,000 mi I HAVE A NEW 2008 E350 MERCEDES WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT 265/35 R 18.97V TIRES. AT 6000 I NOTICED A BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL. I WAS TOLD I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD & IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 7000 MILES I NOTICED YESTERDAY 2 MORE BULGES ON THE SIDEWALL OF 2 ADDITIONAL TIRES. I WAS FORCED TO BUY A REPLACEMENT TIRE AT $300. NOW I AM TRYING TO GET COMPENSATION FROM CONTINENTAL OR SOMEONE TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. BY THE WAY, THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE WHEELS SO THIS HAS GOT TO BE A DEFECT FROM THE TIRE COMPANY. *TR Look up ODI 10238909 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	330.0% ODI 10440487 5 MONTHS INTO MY 2011 MB E350 BLUETECH LEASE THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLOWS ON A HIGHWAY. THE TIRES ARE RUNFLAT BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL400-02 MOEXTENDED 245/45R17 95H. STOPPED THE CAR AND SAW THE RIM MADE A CUT IN A SIDEWALL. NOT REPAIRABLE, HAD IT REPLACED. 45 DAYS LATER ANOTHER FRONT TIRE IS AGAIN BLOWN ON A HIGHWAY THE SAME WAY. PUT ON A SPARE AND ORDERED REPLACEMENT. 2 DAYS LATER - THIRD TIRE BLOWS THE SAME EXACT WAY. ALL INCIDENTS ARE ON THE ROADS I TRAVEL FOR 10 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY PREVIOUS CARS. COMPLAINED TO LOCAL D… Look up ODI 10440487 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10492980 · 64,000 mi SRS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *TR Look up ODI 10492980 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10216419 · 4,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DECELERATING TO 50 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SLID UNDERNEATH THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE RESCUED FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK, ANKLE, NECK, SHOULDER, AND RIGHT HAND. HE IS STILL UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPOR… Look up ODI 10216419 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 10419189 · 7,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END CRASH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS BUT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A RETURN CALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE REDUCTION IN THE INJURIES S… Look up ODI 10419189 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	150.0% ODI 10469732 · 68,311 mi AFTER FUELING UP COMPLETELY, THERE WAS A STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE. IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THIS IS THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF WHERE THE FUEL FILL CAP IS! THERE WERE NO VISIBLE PUDDLES ON MY FLOOR, BUT IT SMELLED AS IF THERE SHOULD BE. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A LITTLE BIT, HOWEVER, IT DOES THIS NOW EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE CAR AND IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR Look up ODI 10469732 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10460971 · 50,384 mi STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING TANK. RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES ODOR REMAINS AFTER SUPPOSED REPAIRS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *JS Look up ODI 10460971 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10465601 · 14,800 mi FUEL LEAK AT LEFT HAND FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT, PUDDLE OF FUEL ON TOP OF SENDER, LEAKING ONTO GROUND. *TR Look up ODI 10465601 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10263139 · 2,000 mi I PURCHASED A 2009 MERCEDES E320 BLUETEC VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 10, 2008 WITH 18 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. JANUARY, 2009 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE DEALER REPLACED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES. AT 5000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER INFORMS AFTER ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SOFTWARE AND A PATCH HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED FOR THE 2009 MODELS. AT THIS TIME THEY CAN DETERMINED WHEN A FIX WILL BE READY. THEY SAY THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR Look up ODI 10263139 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	220.0% ODI 10394295 · 10 mi MERCEDES 2011 E550 HAS A SPEEDOMETER THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ AND REQUIRES EYE DIVERSION FROM THE ROAD TO AN UNSAFE EXTENT TO VIEW YOUR DRIVING SPEED. *TR Look up ODI 10394295 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10377998 · 30,000 mi EXTREMELY DANGEROUS: YESTERDAY 1/19/11 WHILE DRIVING ~35-40MPH AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 SUDDENLY &RAPIDLY DECELERATED WHILE MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE AUTO GAVE THE MESSAGE THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEACTIVATED BY THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR ME HAD I BEEN ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE AUTO TO THE DEALERSHIP- MERCEDES BENZ HONOLULU AND THEY OFFERED VERY LITTLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE DEFECTIVENESS OF THE AUTO AND WOULDN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS A COUP… Look up ODI 10377998 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Fuel System, Gasoline	55,000–126,449 mi	75,000 mi	5	ODI 10428751 · 156,000 mi COMPLETE FAILURE OF WIRING HARNESS FOR ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INCLUDING DAMAGE TO MASS AIR SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, ECU, ETC. TR Look up ODI 10428751 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10432494 · 75,000 mi I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2004 MERCEDES E500 4MATIC WITH 78,000 MILES CURRENTLY ON IT. RECENTLY, AFTER REFUELING THE CAR I HAVE NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AFTER FILLING MY TANK ABOUT 3 TIMES I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE. WITH NOT MUCH SEARCHING I FOUND A FLOOD OF COMPLAINTS FROM MERCEDES OWNERS CLAIMING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS A SAFETY CONCERN AND IS A DESIGN FLAW. TR Look up ODI 10432494 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10562603 · 33,130 mi AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK WITH GASOLINE, I SMELL AN ODOR OF GAS UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL. *TR Look up ODI 10562603 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	4,999 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10263035 · 14,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ 350E. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 35 TO 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS IF IT ENGAGED INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN FULL POWER AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND THE ASSOCIATED PART NUMBER WAS 14027008-61. THERE HAD NO… Look up ODI 10263035 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10356174 · 100 mi 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS-THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC SHIFTER JUST BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL IF IT GOES INTO PARK OR NOT. MY WIFE HAD ENGINE RUNNING, GOT OUT OF CAR TO CHECK THE TRUNK AND THOUGHT SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT STARTED TO MOVE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO JUMP INSIDE AND HIT THE BRAKE. LATER THAT MORNING I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THOUGHT I HIT THE PARK. I GOT OUT LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ON THE PHONE. WHEN FINISHED SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR STARTED TO R… Look up ODI 10356174 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10359582 · 9,898 mi YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SAYS "PARK" BUT IT IS NOT. YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SAYS DRIVE OR REVERSE AND CAR DOES NOT MOVE. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON THEN IT WILL START TO WORK PROPERLY AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTO'S OF THE ISSUE WITH THE RPM UP TO 4K AND THE CAR MPH AT ZERO AND IT SAYS "DRIVE" IN THE DISPLAY. I PROVIDED THE PHOTO'S MERCEDES AND THE DEALER AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROB… Look up ODI 10359582 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	38,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10238909 · 6,000 mi I HAVE A NEW 2008 E350 MERCEDES WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT 265/35 R 18.97V TIRES. AT 6000 I NOTICED A BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL. I WAS TOLD I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD & IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 7000 MILES I NOTICED YESTERDAY 2 MORE BULGES ON THE SIDEWALL OF 2 ADDITIONAL TIRES. I WAS FORCED TO BUY A REPLACEMENT TIRE AT $300. NOW I AM TRYING TO GET COMPENSATION FROM CONTINENTAL OR SOMEONE TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. BY THE WAY, THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE WHEELS SO THIS HAS GOT TO BE A DEFECT FROM THE TIRE COMPANY. TR Look up ODI 10238909 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10543982 · 38,000 mi TIRE TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM TIRE ON BACK OF TIRE. ALL FOUR TIRES ON VEHICLE DISPLAY TREAD SEPARATION APPROXIMATELY HALF CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRE IS AFFECTED. TR Look up ODI 10543982 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10543992 · 42,000 mi ALL FOUR TIRES ON 2011 MERCEDES E550 HAVE TREAD SEPARATION. TREAD SEPARATION IS OCCURRING ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE TIRE AND IS UNKNOWN UNTIL THE TIRE BEGINS TO LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MICHELIN RADIAL X TIRES. FAILURE BETWEEN 38,000-40,000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10543992 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	7,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10492980 · 64,000 mi SRS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. TR Look up ODI 10492980 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10216419 · 4,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DECELERATING TO 50 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SLID UNDERNEATH THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE RESCUED FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK, ANKLE, NECK, SHOULDER, AND RIGHT HAND. HE IS STILL UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPOR… Look up ODI 10216419 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10419189 · 7,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END CRASH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS BUT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A RETURN CALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE REDUCTION IN THE INJURIES S… Look up ODI 10419189 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	50,384 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10469732 · 68,311 mi AFTER FUELING UP COMPLETELY, THERE WAS A STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE. IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THIS IS THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF WHERE THE FUEL FILL CAP IS! THERE WERE NO VISIBLE PUDDLES ON MY FLOOR, BUT IT SMELLED AS IF THERE SHOULD BE. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A LITTLE BIT, HOWEVER, IT DOES THIS NOW EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE CAR AND IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. TR Look up ODI 10469732 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10460971 · 50,384 mi STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING TANK. RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES ODOR REMAINS AFTER SUPPOSED REPAIRS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. JS Look up ODI 10460971 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10465601 · 14,800 mi FUEL LEAK AT LEFT HAND FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT, PUDDLE OF FUEL ON TOP OF SENDER, LEAKING ONTO GROUND. *TR Look up ODI 10465601 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	79,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10428751 · 156,000 mi COMPLETE FAILURE OF WIRING HARNESS FOR ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INCLUDING DAMAGE TO MASS AIR SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, ECU, ETC. TR Look up ODI 10428751 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10263139 · 2,000 mi I PURCHASED A 2009 MERCEDES E320 BLUETEC VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 10, 2008 WITH 18 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. JANUARY, 2009 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE DEALER REPLACED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES. AT 5000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER INFORMS AFTER ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SOFTWARE AND A PATCH HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED FOR THE 2009 MODELS. AT THIS TIME THEY CAN DETERMINED WHEN A FIX WILL BE READY. THEY SAY THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. TR Look up ODI 10263139 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Too few reports for a range	55 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10394295 · 10 mi MERCEDES 2011 E550 HAS A SPEEDOMETER THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ AND REQUIRES EYE DIVERSION FROM THE ROAD TO AN UNSAFE EXTENT TO VIEW YOUR DRIVING SPEED. TR Look up ODI 10394295 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10403630 · 100 mi I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MERCEDES 2011 E550. I FOUND THE SPEEDOMETER VERY DIFFICULT TO READ DURING DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS IT IS NOT LIGHTED. MY EYESIGHT IS 20/20). THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT TAKES YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD TOO LONG TO READ THE VERY DIM SPEEDOMETER. IT ALSO CAUSES ONE TO GO AT SPEEDS NOT EASILY CONTROLLED BY A NORMAL "GLANCE"AT THE SPEEDOMETER. TR Look up ODI 10403630 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	30,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10377998 · 30,000 mi EXTREMELY DANGEROUS: YESTERDAY 1/19/11 WHILE DRIVING ~35-40MPH AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 SUDDENLY &RAPIDLY DECELERATED WHILE MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE AUTO GAVE THE MESSAGE THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEACTIVATED BY THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR ME HAD I BEEN ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE AUTO TO THE DEALERSHIP- MERCEDES BENZ HONOLULU AND THEY OFFERED VERY LITTLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE DEFECTIVENESS OF THE AUTO AND WOULDN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS A COUP… Look up ODI 10377998 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2010: 1 complaints · 2011: 6 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2010	0	0	1
2011	4	4	6

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2010	1	0	0
2011	6	0	4

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Fuel System, Gasoline	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Tires	Air Bags	Fuel/Propulsion System	Electrical System	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Air Bags:Frontal
Fuel System, Gasoline	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10428751 · 156,000 mi COMPLETE FAILURE OF WIRING HARNESS FOR ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INCLUDING DAMAGE TO MASS AIR SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, ECU, ETC. *TR Look up ODI 10428751 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tires	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10428751 · 156,000 mi COMPLETE FAILURE OF WIRING HARNESS FOR ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INCLUDING DAMAGE TO MASS AIR SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, ECU, ETC. *TR Look up ODI 10428751 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Air Bags:Frontal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

3 mentions · 9.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 68,311 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10469732 · 68,311 mi

Look up ODI 10469732 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10567995 · 126,449 mi

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2005 MERCEDES E320 WITH 126.3K MILES. AT TIME OF TRANSACTION, CAR HAD HALF A TANK OF FUEL ONLY. COUPLE DAYS LATER, WHEN I WENT TO REFUEL, I FILLED UP TANK ALL THE WAY TO TOP, I DROVE HOME AND AS SOON AS I EXITED CAR, I COULD SMELL A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR AND INSIDE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. I INSPECTED THE CAR AND AFTER LIFTING REAR SEAT CUSHION, I OPENED THE COVERS TO GAS TANK TO FIND THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, DRIVER'S SIDE, ABOUT 1-2 OUNCES OF FUEL. TODAY I PURCHASED AN UPDATED NEW …

Look up ODI 10567995 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10465601 · 14,800 mi

FUEL LEAK AT LEFT HAND FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT, PUDDLE OF FUEL ON TOP OF SENDER, LEAKING ONTO GROUND. *TR

Look up ODI 10465601 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 6.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 41,075 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10532213 · 80,150 mi

Look up ODI 10532213 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10263139 · 2,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 2009 MERCEDES E320 BLUETEC VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 10, 2008 WITH 18 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. JANUARY, 2009 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE DEALER REPLACED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES. AT 5000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER INFORMS AFTER ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SOFTWARE AND A PATCH HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED FOR THE 2009 MODELS. AT THIS TIME THEY CAN DETERMINED WHEN A FIX WILL BE READY. THEY SAY THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Look up ODI 10263139 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 63 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10215351 · 63 mi

Look up ODI 10215351 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 14,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10263035 · 14,000 mi

Look up ODI 10263035 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 300 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10380206 · 300 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN REVERSE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 350. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF UPDATED 10/26/11

Look up ODI 10380206 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b