Mercedes-Benz E350 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid 2011-2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 model years; 2014 has the highest complaint index at 100 with 278 complaints and 14 fires, while 2011-2013 show heavy airbag failures. Best years are 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2024, led by 2022's complaint index of 0.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Best 2017Best 2021Best 2022Best 2024
- Model years
- 14
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,190
- Recall campaigns
- 40
- Crashes reported
- 56
- Fires reported
- 25
- Top problem area
- Airbags
E350 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mercedes-Benz E350 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 69 | 180 | 9 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 92 | 223 | 9 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 77 | 217 | 6 | 1 | 7 | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 85 | 161 | 15 | 4 | 6 | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 278 | 10 | 14 | 8 | Brakes | 23 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 38 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 23 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 62 | 51 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 23 | — |
| 2017 | Best | 15 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 | Good | 31 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 25.5 | — |
| 2021 | Best | 23 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 12 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 25 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 46 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 25 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 27 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 54 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 ! | Electrical System | 27.5 | — |
E350 years to avoid: what went wrong
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Index 100 · 278 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2014 E350 has the worst complaint index of any year at 100, with 278 complaints, the highest total in the lineup. Brakes are the top problem area at 19% with a median failure mileage of 36,400 miles, followed by airbags at 18% with a median of 28,000 miles. Owners describe electrical smoke and speaker fires inside doors, airbags failing to deploy, and unexpected forward jerking when shifting into park. This year had 14 fires, more than any other year, and 8 recall campaigns.
2014 brakes problems →2014 airbags problems →2014 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Index 92 · 223 complaints · 5 recalls
Owners of the 2011 E350 filed 223 complaints, giving it a complaint index of 92, the second-worst year for this model. Airbags dominate at 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles; owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Fuel system issues follow at 14%. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including multiple front passenger air bag replacement recalls tied to incorrect air bag mass, plus a steering grounding recall. Nine crashes, two fires, and eight injuries were reported.
2011 airbags problems →2011 fuel system problems →2011 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 Index 85 · 161 complaints · 6 recalls
NHTSA lists 161 complaints for the 2013 E350, with a complaint index of 85. Airbags lead at 29% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 49,500 miles, followed by brakes at 19% with a median of 36,150 miles. Owners describe unintended acceleration at low speed and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Six recall campaigns apply, including airbag module replacement and an eCall software fix. This year saw 15 crashes, 4 fires, and 13 injuries, the highest crash and injury counts among the avoid years.
2013 airbags problems →2013 brakes problems →2013 engine problems →
2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Index 77 · 217 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2012 E350 logged 217 complaints and a complaint index of 77. Airbags account for 39% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 65,500 miles, and owners describe unexpected vehicle rollaway or jerking in park along with delayed airbag replacement parts. Fuel system problems make up 16% of complaints. NHTSA recorded 7 recall campaigns, including airbag module replacements and a steering grounding fix. Six crashes, one fire, and five injuries were reported for this year.
2012 airbags problems →2012 fuel system problems →2012 brakes problems →
Most common Mercedes-Benz E350 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Airbags364 (31%)
- Brakes148 (12%)
- Fuel System148 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires146 (12%)
- Engine131 (11%)
- Other126 (11%)
- Electrical System123 (10%)
- Structure & Body118 (10%)
- Steering74 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain63 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Mercedes-Benz E350 should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint data flags 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 as the years to avoid, with 2014 having the highest complaint index of 100 and 278 complaints.
- What is the best year for the Mercedes-Benz E350?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2024 are the best years; 2022 has a complaint index of 0 and only 8 complaints.
- What is the most common problem with the Mercedes-Benz E350?
- Across all model years, airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 364 complaints, or 31% of the 1,190 total complaints filed with NHTSA.
- Are there airbag recalls on the Mercedes-Benz E350?
- Yes. Multiple recall campaigns, including 21V638000, 19V010000, and 17V627000, cover front passenger air bag module replacements on 2011-2014 E350 models.
- How many total complaints does the Mercedes-Benz E350 have?
- NHTSA has logged 1,190 total complaints across 14 model years covered, from 2010 through 2025, along with 40 recall campaigns.