Print this page

7.5

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Owner Comments

problem #10

Jun 082024

E350

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear subframe is corroded and needs to be replaces - there was no prior warning and the Benz dealer stated this is something that only is evident to even the most highly trained mechanics once it is at the point of total failure. The rear brake lines are also corroded and the Benz dealer will only pay for the subframe and not the very expensive rear brake line replacement which seems to be entirely related.

- Concord, MA, USA

problem #9

Apr 182024

E350

  • miles
I purchased the car late April. I drove the car for three or four days and started noticing a rattling coming the front right part of the car (passenger side.). I chatted with the warranty company (SilverRock.). They asked me to take it to a Meineke auto repair facility in Olympia, WA. Meinke-??s mechanic diagnosed it as a loose component involving the brake caliper. He informed me they were covering it under the warranty, & asked me to bring the car back on Wednesday as he was short staffed. I brought the car back on Wednesday, it was there all day. He called late in the afternoon and informed me they found the problem and that SilverRock had amended the claim and refused to cover it. Told me it needed new brakes for 800+ bucks. That being said it was also sold to me with gouges out of several tires. Of which I have photos. This is inexcusable it is also a safety issue.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #8

May 152024

E350

  • miles
Brake lines to the rear have corroded and car can not be driven.

- Itasca, IL, USA

problem #7

Apr 292024

E350

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On April 29, 2024, I was driving my 2012 E350 Mercedes and the brakes failed upon leaving an appointment. There was less than 10% stopping ability. Fortunately, I was able to use my transmission toggles and Emergency brake as back up, if needed. I immediately stopped to pick up brake fluid and filled the reservoir which was virtually empty. Drove the vehicle home, left it parked for two hours and then tried to then drive it again but to no avail. The system had "bled" all over my garage floor and driveway. As such it was taken to the dealership on a flatbed. Estimated repair... $1,700 This follows having to replace the cargo springs due to corrosion and breakage, the rear suspension sub assembly currently being replaced due to corrosion which Mercedes acknowledged is a problem and is covering under an extended warranty. In my mind, all of this is related and certainly a safety concern, beyond the expensive repair costs already and now currently being incurred. Can you help?

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #6

Apr 252024

E350

  • miles
On my recent visit to my trusted independent service center, which specializes in Mercedes-Benz, they noticed serious corrosion problems. There were no symptoms to alert me to any problem. Also, I never received the notice from MB so how would I know? My mechanic asked me to sign a waiver (which I never have had to do before) that stated the rear subframe was rotted completely through; needs to be replaced ASAP; and is unsafe to drive. The rear brakes lines also had corrosion. This tells me the car is unsafe to drive, and must be fixed. It seems that MB issued an "extended warranty" to cover the rear subframe, but not the rear brake lines. I contacted MB Corporate who said they 'may' offer some assistance. I have an appointment next week with a MB dealer who must provide an estimate of the damage and cost to MB for their approval before doing any work. As a result of learning what's eating my car underneath, I won't take it on any extended trips. I really am afraid of something bad happening. And it has, to many others. No one should ever have to get into a car and worry about these two safety issues. It-??s very important that Mercedes-Benz recognizes its responsibility to not only its customers, but to all the other drivers on the road who can be negatively affected through accidents caused by these corrosion issues.

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #5

Mar 032024

E350

  • miles
Brake line corroded under protective cover. Was driving and felt mushy brakes and came home to almost no brake fluid. Found leak under driver side door. Kind of weird because it-??s under a cover.

- Schenectady , NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 012023

E350

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

rear sub frame corroded which results in unsafe driving, corroded brake line which results in unsafe driving. blind spot sensor in the bumper is corroded due to no protection against environment.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #3

Feb 062023

E350

  • miles
My car had a pool of brake fluid under the car and when I turned it on, it said the brake fluid was low. When I went to check the reservoir it was empty. The underpanels were removed and the brake lines were rotted out in several areas. I was shocked because my car is in mint condition and I have always avoided taking it out when the roads are salted in the winter. I am lucky this happened when the car was parked. This has never happened to the cars in my family which were never treated with as much care.

- Northbrook , IL, USA

problem #2

Dec 012022

E350

  • miles
I have video available that shows significant premature corrosion of the rear subframe and brake line. The safety of others will be put at risk at the time of failure. Failed subframes can lead to loss of control. This problem has been identified and the part inspected by a Mercedes dealership. There are no warning lamps or messages to alert the driver that failure is imminent. This was discovered in the process of the car being serviced for an unrelated emissions recall. Many Mercedes owners report having severe rear subframe and brake line corrosion issues on message boards. Some reported their cars unexpectedly sway and drift to one side while breaking. In multiple European countries, Mercedes is apparently aware of the problem and is voluntarily replacing the rear subframe for free. However, in the USA, Mercedes is quoting their customers approximately 6,000 to 7,000 to rectify the issue. Without NHTSAs intervention, dealer service departments will continue to profit from the failure of this critical component. Customers unprepared to pay for such a significant repair will defer maintenance until they can afford to address the matter. Some of these cars will be dumped at trade in and passed on to unsuspecting consumers. Those consumers may be your friends and loved ones. We need government to step in and protect the public interest. -??If not you, then who" If not now, when"-??

- Upper Chichester, PA, USA

problem #1

Mar 152021

E350

  • 65,000 miles
Rusted brake lines causing brake fluid leaking and loose break pedal. This is severely affecting break system performance and vehicle safety. Mb dealer quoted $2910 plus tax for replacement.

- Weston, CT, USA

Not what you are looking for?