2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
61/100
#8 most-complained of 19 E350 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 has a complaint index of 61 and ranks 8th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Fuel System complaints make up half of all reports, and four recalls apply to this year, including sunroof and rear suspension issues.
- Complaints
- 173
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 9
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
Top 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System86 (50%)
- Structure & Body27 (16%)
- Electrical System20 (12%)
- Engine18 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (6%)
- Airbags9 (5%)
- Other7 (4%)
- Brakes5 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (3%)
What owners report
- Driver's side heated seat overheats and smokes, in several cases catching fire and burning through the seat and clothing.
- Vehicle reportedly surges or accelerates unexpectedly while parking at low speed, in some cases striking another vehicle or a wall.
- Front or rear tire fails or 'explodes' after hitting a pothole, sometimes bending the wheel rim.
- Airbags did not deploy during a side-impact crash that rolled the vehicle.
- Electrical system triggers what owners describe as an electrical fire smell after using the heated seat.
2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V874000Nov 19, 2024Visibility & Wipers33,456 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
- NHTSA 22V954000Dec 23, 2022Visibility & Wipers131,653 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
- NHTSA 19V918000Dec 20, 2019Visibility & Wipers747,928 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 E350 has a complaint index of 61 and ranks 8th worst among 19 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other E350 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 E350?
- Fuel System complaints account for 50% of all reports (86 complaints), followed by Structure & Body issues at 16%, which include reported heated-seat fires.
- Does the 2008 E350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 E350, covering sunroof glass panel bonding, sunroof panel positioning, and a rear suspension connecting rod on 4MATIC wagon models.
- How does the 2008 E350 compare to other years?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 61 is lower than 2006 (100) and 2007 (89), both rated Avoid, but higher than newer years like 2017 and 2024, which are rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 E350?
- EPA rates the 2008 E350 at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.