2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E350 Complaints

2014 E350 with 41,000 miles. Rusted subframe and was informed that it represented unsafe and risky driving conditions. Reported this to manufacturer as, apparently, it is a very common problem with certain Mercedes classes. No recall and very expensive fix ($4500)! Not my idea of a safe and reliable car, as Mercedes likes to advertise. Consumers should not be responsible for manufacturing defects/ poor quality of materials used ..... and should definitely not be exposed to unsafe conditions when operating their vehicle!

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the subframe was rusted. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

I brought in my car to M1 Mercedes, Fremont, CA for service after “check engine” light was on and running rough on idle. I told them I started using ethanol (E85) fuel recently but my car is spec for that. The shop replaced spark plugs and ignition coils but the issue didn’t go away. While the car is parked overnight at the shop garage, on Jun 21, 2022, around 11pm, the engine exploded. The incident was caught on camera by the shop. The intake manifold was blown open. The car was tolled to Fletcher Jones Mercedes Fremont, CA (authorized Mercedes dealer) for diagnostic. However, they didn’t offer any solution or attempt to find out what caused the explosion. They offered to replace the intake manifold for $1200. I declined as I believe this is a serious safety issue. What happen if it explodes again? Since the cause of the explosion is not found and address. It could happen again anywhere, anytime. Fletcher Jones Fremont charged me $265 for labor and I tolled my car back home. I attempted to contact Mercedes USA via their website to alert them about this problem and seek resolution. However I never hear back from them. I hope you can help to look into this serious safety issue. Attached please find the blown intake picture and report from M1 Mercedes. I have the explosion video as well.

Rear subframe crossmember that connects to rear suspension is cracked and rusted resulting in dangerous handling characteristics. Part is severely back-ordered due to volume of consumers facing this problem. When braking hard, car swerves to right and can cross lanes. While this part broke, the car is otherwise rust-free. Brakes have been recently updated. If this is a common complaint, there should be a recall. The severe parts back-order leads me to believe that there are significant failures in the field.

The subframe on this vehicle is broken I took it to an independent dealer and they said they have never seen anything like this on a car this old. The Mercedes dealer told me that it would cost me $5000 for them to fix it about 3 weeks ago but said it's rusting and beginning to crack. But never said it was something that needed to be addressed immediately. Upon further research it seems to be a common issue on this make and model on the right side. https://www.carproblemzoo.com/mercedesbenz/e350/2014/2014-mercedesbenz-e350-suspension-problems.php

There have been three events, all the same. Each time a speaker in a door, while driving, has began to squeal, sputter and the smoke. The first occurred while sitting inside a car wash, with the windows up, obviously. I was able to open the window, drenching myself, but venting the acrid electrical smoke. The second was while driving home from a medical clinic. The third was while driving on the interstate, traveling from my mothers funeral in California to Wisconsin It was 2am, just outside of Vail, Colorado in the rain. My wife was driving, while I slept. I woke to her screaming that the car was on fire, she pulled over, taking advantage of the antilock brakes for the first time ever, striking some type of curb, ultimately not killing us, but we lost another speaker, and a tire and rim. I’m, needless to say, displeased with my expensive European wagon, but Mercedes’ does not consider melting and smoking speakers to be a safety issue. Look online, and you’ll see plenty of videos of people with the same issue.

This issue is pertaining to a 2014 E350 Mercedes Benz. The brake system is in jeopardy. The subframe has rotted and cracked. Mercedes Benz is aware that this is a problem for many of their vehicles. While the right side of the subframe is rusted and beginning to crack, the left side of the subframe is totally rusted and busted out. The vehicle is routinely brought to the Mercedes Benz dealership for maintenance visits. It was making cracking sound in 2021, we brought it in to be serviced for that reason on 11/23/21. This issue was not noted at that time. Mercedes Benz indicated the solution was a lube. The issue persisted post visit. The car is infrequently driven because the primary driver teleworks. We returned the car to the dealership for an assessment 8/6/2022 due to ongoing concerns for our safety. The first indicator that there was a problem was the unfamiliar cracking sound as if the car could snap in half, then hard pulling to the left when braking. There was never a warning light or any other indicator on the dashboard or otherwise. The owners initiated the visit to the Mercedes Benz dealership. Mercedes Benz reported that they did not see the rust when they assessed the car for the cracking sound in 11/2021, furthermore that the rust and deterioration happens rapidly. Had the right side of the subframe also rusted and rotted out, this could have resulted in a total loss of control over the vehicle and been needlessly catastrophic. Warning indicators necessary and routine free inspection are warranted. Repairs for the subframe alone will cost more than $4000. This is a hardship. Further, it's unclear if the malfunctioning rear left caliper resulted from the rotted subframe. The vehicle appears to be in otherwise pristine condition. Mercedes Benz has never indicated there were any issues with the vehicle's subframe despite routine class service visits at the dealership. An internet search confirms this issue is not uncommon and possibly negligible.

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof made abnormal creaking noises while it was closed. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-350. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The brakes were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the contact was informed that the brake lines were rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. The contact has stated that the brakes lines were replaced at the owner's expense. The contact believes that the state that they live in as well as Mercedes which is held responsible for the erosion of the brake lines.

The Rear Subframe Unit of this 2014 E-Class E212 is diagnosed as rusted and rotted out on this 8 year old vehicle. The poor quality of this part from Mercedes Benz is known to be an underlying, hidden risk factor to the stability of the vehicle. This is a hidden/underlying area of the vehicle, not visible to the driver/owners, that without cause, can break free from the main frame structure of the vehicle and create a stability factor when cornering and braking, causing swaying of the rear and owner panic when abruptly stopping. I had this vehicle serviced at Catonsville Mercedes-Benz since I purchased the vehicle on April 14, 2017. On my last visit on December 19, 2019 having only 40,051 miles. No physical evidence know to me during this inspection. The vehicle has been hardly used. My next service was done on July 28,2022, having only 49,250 miles. That's just 9,299 miles and just over 2 years later, no harsh weather conditions, and the dealership has confirmed that this subframe has rotted out and rusted nearly thru. The service writer informed me that this is a serious condition that can break apart and lead to a very serious accident. Depending on certain driving conditions, if this breaks apart unknowingly, can be catastrophic. Mercedes Benz advertised greatly the ultimate safety features of its products, only to be realized, that it has used poor quality galvanized steel on a major structure of its framework to save cost. Mercedes provides a 3 year/36,000 mile and a 5 year 50,000 mile powertrain warranty which neither covers this. Galvanized steel has a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years resulting in deterioration, which Mercedes knowingly intends to pass this repair cost to the owners. This vehicle was inspected by a certified authorized Mercedes Benz dealership. Warning lights, message sensors are not installed on this part. No other parts surrounding this component show any signs of rust, rot or deterioration. I feel unsafe to drive or place family within.