2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350, most often about body & structure. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
37
Recalls
5
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Median mileage
47,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Body & Structure is the most-reported problem area, named in 7 of 37 complaints (19%).
  • Electrical System (6) and visibility & wipers (6) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 47,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
  • The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 7th of 13 Mercedes-Benz E350 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 76% more complaints than the 2015 model year (21).

2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems by category

  • Body & Structure
    7 complaints
  • Electrical System
    6 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    6 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    5 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Steering · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Engine
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system5
Unknown or other5
Structure:body5
Air bags4
Engine4
Steering4
Visibility:windshield3
Visibility/wiper3

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k310k–30k730k–60k360k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints that list mileage.

2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls (5)

  • Recall 19V787000Nov 1, 201924,226 vehicles
    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.

  • Recall 17V627000Oct 6, 2017495,290 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

    Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

  • Recall 17V177000Mar 14, 201751 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  • Recall 16V899000Dec 14, 201670 vehicles
    STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.

    Risk: If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  • Recall 15V505000Aug 11, 2015209 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes Benz E350, E400, E400 4Matic, E63 4M S AMG, E350 4Matic, E63-4M S AMG, 2015 CLS400, CLS400 4Matic, CLS550, CLS63-4M "P" AMG, and CLS550 4Matic vehicles manufactured April 16, 2015, to April 22, 2015. The integral steel cable that secures the rubber seal to the bulkhead might have been damaged due to the supplier rework of the rubber seal. In the event the rubber seal is not properly secured around the engine compartment, it is possible for the rubber seal to 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 engine or exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber seal, in the engine compartment, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2015. MBUSA's number is 2015080001. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-201-573-5339.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

Recent 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 16, 2026VABody & StructureSuspension
    The rear subframe is defective and subject to premature corrosion and failure of parts that connect to the rear suspension. Due to the fracturing of the joints connecting to the suspension, my car was at risk of going out of control when needing to brake at higher speeds. The way the suspension component broke also risked damage to the gas tank if the car was driven over a large bump or pot hole. The problem was diagnosed by an independent repair service. The corrosion is…
    NHTSA complaint #11750938 · source
  2. Filed Jan 27, 2026NYFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Fuel odor is very apparent (while idle) but difficult to identify location. Same models seem to have recalls for fuel injectors/rails but not this specific VIN. I believe the issue might be of similar recall. I will have the car diagnosed soon.
    NHTSA complaint #11713777 · source
  3. Filed Dec 5, 2025140,000 miMSBody & StructureVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that water was leaking inside the vehicle through the seal around the windshield. The contact stated that upon manually pushing the windshield, the windshield was movable. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a windy sound coming through the windshield while driving. The vehicle was taken to Dunaway Glass Repair Company, where the windshield was being replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11703257 · source
  4. Filed Oct 16, 2024CAEngine
    Since May 2024, I had taken my car in for repairs at 3 different shops for same exact issue diagnosed as leak from air intake system. It has been repaired 7 times since it first occurred in May 2024, and unfortunately it is still not resolved. This is a potential danger to the driver because all of a sudden there will be loud noise from the engine, car will start misfiring and slow down the speed. The previous 3 attempts of repair were made at Mercedes Benz of West Covina.…
    NHTSA complaint #11620163 · source
  5. Filed Oct 11, 2024PRDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    Q1: Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. The instrument cluster showed some messages* randomly appearing/beeping on and off but there were other issues present: • Acceleration not possible in drive • At one point transmission would not shift from gear 3 • *Speedometer would go up and down randomly until it eventually stayed at 0 physically and digitally as I was going 55-60 MPH • *Check Engine light ON • *Red ‘Brake’ light ON • failed • *Distance sensors failed…
    NHTSA complaint #11619351 · source
  6. Filed Jul 10, 2024OHElectrical System
    I believe there is faulty wiring in the door speaker front passenger side. It causes crackling and humming. It lessens some when you turn ECO off. Concerned it could ignite a fire. Once told by dealer it’s caused by rain going into the door. Next time told that just to look at the problem would be around $600 because it has steel doors??
    NHTSA complaint #11600873 · source
  7. Filed Jun 4, 2024VABody & StructureEngineLighting
    Dealership stated on 6/4/24 extensive rust and perforations on rear vehicle sub frame that can cause risk to driver of accident or injury. MBUSA is offering to replace sub frame part # 212 350 38 05. However dealership advised MBUSA is not offering to replace corroded brake lines or brake fluid exchange, and would need to come out of pocket. MBUSA failed to notify me of safety defect. Vehicle was purchased from MB of Arlington, VA in 4/2019 however dealership sold vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11592509 · source
  8. Filed May 6, 2024VAVisibility & Wipers
    Recently (April 2024) we've noticed water drops forming on the inside of the vehicle along the top of the front windshield after a rain. Pushing outward along the top inside of the windshield glass indicates some movement of the glass. This applies all along the top inside of the windshield and not just one spot or area. So far, we have only observed water drops and have not observed any water pooling or puddling yet. We have not yet contacted a dealer; however we have…
    NHTSA complaint #11587218 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology