YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 24 engine complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350, 15% of all 161 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 13,043. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue. Reported crashes reached 8, with 3 fires and 9 injuries.

Engine complaints
24
15% of 161
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
9
Median mileage
13,043 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden, unintended acceleration or forward lurching at low speeds, including while parking or backing up, sometimes ending in a crash into a wall, tree, or another vehicle.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle unexpectedly stalling or stopping on its own while driving on the freeway or in local traffic, occurring repeatedly within the same week.
  • Several complaints describe engine smoke paired with an illuminated check engine light, later linked by a dealer to excessive oil consumption and an alternator issue.
  • One owner reported a knocking sound from the engine lasting a few seconds during both cold and warm starts, attributed by a dealer to the injectors.
  • A vehicle reportedly caught fire in the engine area while parked, with no driving involved at the time.
  • Owners also mention loss of acceleration followed by a sudden jolt forward, with dealers unable to identify a cause during inspection.

When 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 20, 2013, latest Apr 8, 2026.

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2013Apr 2014May 2016Apr 2019Oct 2020Jul 2021Feb 2026
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2013 to Apr 2026; peak Apr 2014 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by E350 model year

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

  1. 201018 (10%)
  2. 201117 (8%)
  3. 201221 (10%)
  4. 201324 (15%)
  5. 201425 (9%)
  6. 20152 (6%)
  7. 201610 (20%)
  8. 20173 (43%)
  9. 20203 (38%)
  10. 20214 (31%)
  11. 20221 (13%)
  12. 20230 (0%)
  13. 20242 (40%)
  14. 20251 (50%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?
NHTSA lists 24 engine complaints for the 2013 E350, which is 15% of the 161 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine problem area.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2013 E350?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints is 13,043 miles.
Did the 2013 E350 engine problems cause crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint area shows 8 crashes, 3 fires, and 9 injuries reported.
What kinds of engine failures do owners describe?
Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, stalling while driving, engine smoke with check engine warnings, knocking noises at startup, and one parked-vehicle engine fire.

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.