2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 has a complaint index of 56 and ranks 9th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Fuel System issues drove 52% of its 64 complaints, and NHTSA lists 4 recalls, none do-not-drive.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #9 of 19 E350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 64
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System33 (52%)
- Structure & Body9 (14%)
- Airbags6 (9%)
- Engine5 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (8%)
- Electrical System4 (6%)
- Seat Belts3 (5%)
- Brakes2 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report strong gasoline odor smells after refueling, sometimes tied to a fuel system leak investigation.
- Some drivers describe smoke or fire starting from the driver's seat, in one case with flames and sparks coming from a burn hole.
- One owner reported the front airbags failed to deploy in a crash while the driver seat belt also malfunctioned.
- A driver described sudden unintended acceleration right after pulling out of a driveway, leading to a loss of control.
- An owner noted a wheel losing air after material appeared to pop out from the middle of an alloy wheel with no visible damage.
- One complaint described an undercarriage shield getting caught on road objects and fracturing the front bumper.
2009 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.
2009 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.
2009 compared with other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 E350 carries a complaint index of 56 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 19 model years for this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 E350?
- Fuel System complaints make up 52% of all reports (33 of 64 complaints), followed by Structure & Body issues at 14% and Airbags at 9%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2009 E350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 E350, covering sunroof glass panel bonding/positioning issues and a rear suspension connecting rod that may fail on 4Matic wagons; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2009 E350 compare to other years?
- The 2009 model (index 56, Caution) is safer than 2006 (100, Avoid), 2007 (89, Avoid), 2014 (94, Avoid), 2011 (83, Avoid), and 2010 (78, Avoid), but worse than 2017, 2022, and 2024, which are rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 E350?
- EPA rates the 2009 E350 at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.