2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
92/100
#2 most-complained of 14 E350 years
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 ranks 2nd worst of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 92 and 223 complaints, mostly airbag-related. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, and the verdict is Avoid relative to other E350 years.
- Complaints
- 223
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 9 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 25 hwy
Top 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags108 (48%)
- Fuel System32 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (10%)
- Structure & Body22 (10%)
- Other19 (9%)
- Engine17 (8%)
- Brakes15 (7%)
- Steering11 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (3%)
- Electrical System4 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including animal strikes and rear-end collisions.
- Some owners report unexplained sudden acceleration leading to loss of control and airbags not deploying on impact.
- A fire originated under the hood and spread to the undercarriage, accompanied by a strong burning smell before ignition.
- Heating elements in driver seats have overheated, burning through the leather cushion and into the driver's clothing.
- The tailgate has unlatched and opened on its own without warning, with dealers unable to diagnose the cause.
- Driver seat backs have failed to hold position after rear-end impacts, leaving the seat unable to stay upright.
2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V638000Aug 13, 2021Airbags205 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Risk: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- NHTSA 16V363000May 26, 2016Airbags258,163 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling certain model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 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.
2011 compared with other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 E350 ranks 2nd worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 92 and 223 complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other E350 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 108 complaints, or 48% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls covering the 2011 E350, including campaigns 21V638000, 19V010000, 16V363000, and 16V081000, addressing incorrect or malfunctioning passenger air bag modules.
- How many recalls does the 2011 E350 have in total?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350, covering airbags and the fuel system, with none classified as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 E350 compare to other years?
- The 2011 E350 has a complaint index of 92, worse than the 2010 (69), 2012 (77), and 2013 (85) model years, and far worse than later years like 2017 (15) and 2021 (23).