YearToAvoid

2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 14 E350 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 ranks 1st worst out of 14 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 278 complaints logged. It carries 8 recalls, and top problem areas are brakes (19%), airbags (18%), and suspension (17%), making it the year to avoid within this model line.

Complaints
278
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
10 / 14
Injuries / deaths
9 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 28 hwy

Top 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes54 (19%)
  2. Airbags49 (18%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires46 (17%)
  4. Electrical System38 (14%)
  5. Fuel System36 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body33 (12%)
  7. Other30 (11%)
  8. Steering27 (10%)
  9. Engine25 (9%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain15 (5%)

What owners report

  • Door speakers squeal, crackle, or pop before smoking or emitting a burning smell, sometimes even with the engine off.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in low- and moderate-speed crashes, including a rear-end collision at 40 mph, resulting in injuries.
  • Vehicle unexpectedly lurched or accelerated forward while shifting into park or reverse, in one case striking a tree.
  • Distronic-assisted braking failed and the ABS locked up, causing a loss of control and a collision.
  • Emission fumes leaked into the engine and passenger compartment due to a missing bolt, leading to melted wiring and fire damage.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints: complaints filed per quarter242013 Q42015 Q42017 Q32019 Q22021 Q12022 Q42024 Q32026 Q2
369 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q4 (24).

2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic 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." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger 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. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

See all 8 recalls for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 →

2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,450
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.

2014 compared with other E350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid77217722
2013Avoid85161622
2014Avoid100278823
2015Good3831623
2016Caution6251523

All Mercedes-Benz E350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 a bad year?
Relative to other E350 years, yes. NHTSA data ranks it 1st worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 278 complaints, plus 8 recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 E350?
Brakes account for 19% of complaints, airbags 18%, and suspension/wheels/tires 17%. Electrical system issues, including speaker smoke and fires, made up 14% of complaints with 9 fires reported.
Does the 2014 E350 have a fuel system recall?
Yes. Recall 15V792000 covers 2014 E350 and E350 4Matic sedans built with a fuel feed line that has a single flare, requiring dealers to install a corrected fuel line.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2014 E350?
NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 36,400 miles for brake-related complaints on this year.
How does the 2014 E350 compare to later years like 2017 or 2021?
The 2014 E350 has a complaint index of 100 and is rated Avoid, while 2017 (index 15) and 2021 (index 23) are both rated Best, showing far fewer reported problems.

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.