2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 has a complaint index of 50, ranking 4th worst out of 7 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 18 complaints, 3 recalls (2 of them do-not-drive), and airbags as the top problem area at 67% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 R350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 18
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 15 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags12 (67%)
- Brakes3 (17%)
- Electrical System3 (17%)
- Engine1 (6%)
- Other1 (6%)
- Seat Belts1 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report long delays getting Takata airbag inflators replaced, with some vehicles going over 22 months without available parts.
- Airbag recall remedies were reported as incomplete even after NHTSA's system stopped listing an active recall.
- Brake wheel speed sensors were replaced repeatedly (one owner reported eight replacements) before the ABS engaged unexpectedly at 55 MPH, causing the front end to dip and grinding sounds while braking.
- Owners who received notice of the brake hydraulic recall (Campaign 22V315000) reported that replacement parts were not yet available at the dealer.
- One owner described the transmission engaging unexpectedly after being placed in park with the engine running, leading to a crash.
2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V298000Apr 26, 2024Brakes15,604 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
- NHTSA 22V315000May 9, 2022Brakes350,294 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
- NHTSA 16V081000Feb 11, 2016Airbags711,159 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,000
- 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.
2011 compared with other R350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 R350 a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among 7 model years of the R350. Airbags account for 67% of its complaints.
- Does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 R350, including two do-not-drive brake recalls (campaigns 24V298000 and 22V315000) for corrosion in the brake system, plus a Takata airbag recall (16V081000).
- What is the top complaint area for the 2011 R350?
- Airbags, making up 67% of the 18 complaints logged, mostly related to the Takata recall and remedy delays.
- Is the 2011 R350 better or worse than other R350 years?
- It ranks 4th worst of 7 years with a complaint index of 50, better than 2006, 2007, and 2008 but worse than 2009, 2010, and 2012.