YearToAvoid

2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 21 brake complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350, about 10% of its 217 total complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 65,000 miles. No related brake recall is listed for this model year.

Brakes complaints
21
10% of 217
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
65,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Rear subframe and brake line corrosion, sometimes discovered only after a dealer inspection with no dashboard warning.
  • Corroded brake lines leaking fluid, leading to a low or empty brake fluid reservoir and a mushy or loose brake pedal.
  • A rear brake line that reportedly burst while braking from low speed, causing a sudden loss of stopping ability.
  • One owner described nearly complete brake failure with less than 10% stopping ability after leaving an appointment.
  • A loose or rattling front brake caliper diagnosed by an independent shop shortly after purchase.
  • A brake pedal that failed to return to its normal position, paired with a visible fluid leak.

When 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 20, 2015, latest Jun 1, 2026.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2015Dec 2022Jan 2024Apr 2024Jun 2024Sep 2024Aug 2025Mar 2026
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2015 to Jun 2026; peak May 2024 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by E350 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201017 (9%)
  2. 201115 (7%)
  3. 201221 (10%)
  4. 201330 (19%)
  5. 201454 (19%)
  6. 20155 (16%)
  7. 20163 (6%)
  8. 20171 (14%)
  9. 20200 (0%)
  10. 20211 (8%)
  11. 20220 (0%)
  12. 20231 (17%)
  13. 20240 (0%)
  14. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?
NHTSA lists 21 brake complaints for the 2012 E350, which is about 10% of the 217 total complaints logged for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for brakes on this model year.
At what mileage do brake problems tend to show up?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2012 E350 is 65,000 miles.
What kind of brake problems do owners report most?
Owners most often describe corroded brake lines and rear subframes that lead to fluid leaks, mushy pedals, and in some cases sudden loss of braking.
Did any 2012 E350 brake complaints involve crashes or injuries?
No. NHTSA data for this year and component shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.