2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 19 Structure & Body complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350, 12% of all complaints for the year, with 4 crashes and 2 injuries and a median failure mileage of 100,000. A related recall (15V088000) addresses a rubber seal retaining-clip issue on this model year.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 19
- 12% of 161
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 100,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Owners report the rear subframe corroding and rusting over time, with some describing imminent structural failure caught during routine service or state inspection.
- Several complaints describe the rear end swaying or vibrating at highway speeds, later traced to subframe corrosion.
- Some owners report the vehicle jerking or steering left on its own after braking, diagnosed as a rear subframe needing replacement.
- One owner reported a fuel odor and small leak traced to severe corrosion of the subframe near the fuel tank.
- One complaint describes the sunroof exploding with a loud noise while driving at 70 mph.
When 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 11, 2015, latest Sep 24, 2025.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350
- NHTSA 15V088000Feb 13, 2015Structure & Body147,224 vehicles
Structure:body:hood
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 E350 Sedan, E350 4Matic Sedan, E350 4Matic Station Wagon, E400 Hybrid Sedan, CLS 550 CGI, and CLS550 4Matic, 2013-2014 E550 4Matic Sedan, 2013 E63 Sedan, E63 Station Wagon and CLS63, 2014-2015 CLS63 4Matic, E63 4Matic Sedan, E63 4Matic Sedan "S", and E63 4Matic Station Wagon, 2015 CLS400, 2015 E400 Sedan, E400 4Matic Sedan and CLS400 4Matic and 2014 CLS63 "S". The affected vehicles have a rubber seal at the back of the engine bay that may temporarily stick to the hood when it is opened and then may fall into the engine bay when the hood is closed.
Risk: If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will attach four additional retaining clips to the rubber seal, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-201-573-5339. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015020001.
Structure & Body complaints by E350 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 have a Structure & Body recall?
- Yes. Recall 15V088000, reported February 13, 2015, covers rubber seal retaining clips; Mercedes-Benz USA attached four additional clips free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2013 E350 have?
- NHTSA lists 19 Structure & Body complaints for the 2013 E350, which is 12% of the 161 total complaints filed for this model year.
- What is the typical mileage when Structure & Body problems occur on the 2013 E350?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 100,000 miles.
- Are the Structure & Body problems on the 2013 E350 linked to crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 4 crashes and 2 injuries associated with the 19 Structure & Body complaints for this model year, with no reported fires.
- Is subframe rust a common complaint for the 2013 E350?
- Multiple sample complaints in NHTSA's data describe rear subframe corrosion, including cases where owners were told failure was imminent or that the vehicle was unsafe to drive.