2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 E350 has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 7th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 161 complaints, 6 recalls, and airbags as the top problem area with 47 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #7 of 19 E350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 161
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags47 (29%)
- Brakes30 (19%)
- Engine24 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (14%)
- Structure & Body19 (12%)
- Other15 (9%)
- Electrical System12 (7%)
- Fuel System11 (7%)
- Steering10 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speed, in one case crashing into a garage door and deploying airbags.
- Others describe the vehicle lurching backward or forward without warning while the driver's foot was on the brake, leading to low-speed collisions.
- One owner reported the engine catching fire while the vehicle was parked.
- Suspension and wheel complaints describe a sensation of wheels loosening while driving, with one owner losing control after new tires were installed.
- A structural complaint describes the car rolling backward on an incline after being parked, striking another vehicle.
- One airbag complaint involved hitting a pole with no airbag deployment during the crash.
2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls
6 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 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Communication
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
- NHTSA 18V043000Jan 10, 2018Airbags132,167 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of 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, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 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." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver 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. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 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.
2013 compared with other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 E350 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 67, ranking 7th worst among 19 model years for this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 E350?
- Airbags account for 29% of complaints (47 total), followed by brakes at 19% (30 complaints) and engine issues at 15% (24 complaints).
- Does the 2013 E350 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 E350, covering airbags, electrical system software, and structure/body issues like a rubber seal needing additional retaining clips.
- What year E350 should I avoid instead of 2013?
- Among E350 model years, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2014 all carry an Avoid verdict with higher complaint indexes than the 2013's 67.
- At what mileage do 2013 E350 problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 44,550 for the 2013 E350 overall, with airbag complaints centered around 49,500 miles and engine complaints around 13,043 miles.