2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 19 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350, 9% of that year's 217 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000. A related software recall (17V177000) covers similar 2013 E350 BlueTec models but not the 2012 gasoline E350 directly.
- Electrical System complaints
- 19
- 9% of 217
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly shifting itself into park at speeds under 5-6 mph, causing sudden abrupt stops.
- Several owners report a defective wiring harness in the trunk that prevents the trunk lid from opening.
- The backup camera intermittently displays a blank or black screen when shifted into reverse, sometimes requiring a system restart.
- Some owners report oil contamination reaching the wiring harness and electrical components near the engine, affecting oxygen sensors and the vehicle computer.
- One owner reported a "pre safe inoperative" warning appearing while driving about 45 mph, followed by the vehicle needing to coast to a stop.
- Owners note the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise system disengaging unexpectedly without warning.
When 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint May 14, 2012, latest Sep 16, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350
- NHTSA 17V177000Mar 14, 2017Electrical System51 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical System complaints by E350 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?
- NHTSA lists 19 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 E350, which is 9% of the 217 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 electrical system?
- Recall 17V177000 addresses a software update for electrical control units, but it targets 2013 E350 BlueTec and other listed models, not the 2012 gasoline E350 directly.
- At what mileage do 2012 E350 electrical problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for electrical complaints on this year is 70,000 miles.
- Did the 2012 E350 electrical issues cause crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data for these complaints shows 0 crashes and 0 fires reported.
- What kinds of electrical failures do owners report on the 2012 E350?
- Owners describe unexpected park-shifting while driving, trunk wiring harness failures, backup camera blackouts, and oil contamination reaching wiring near the engine.