Owner-reported issues — NHTSA
1,504 complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the V212 across model years 2009–2016. Federal public records, updated weekly.
| SERVICE BRAKES | 77 reports |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 44 reports |
| SUSPENSION | 43 reports |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 38 reports |
| STRUCTURE | 37 reports |
| ENGINE | 29 reports |
| STEERING | 29 reports |
| AIR BAGS | 29 reports |
Selected owner reports
2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350. The sale was a private sale. The contact's friend, a dealer, requested a Carfax report, which indicated that mileage was last reported at 200,000. In addition, the Carfax report indicated that the last reported repair service was performed in 2014 and the mileage then was 66,000. The contact stated that the advertisement reported the mileage at 88,000.
2009 · SEATS
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact felt heat coming from the rear of the front driver seat and noticed smoke coming from the rear of the seat, causing the back of the driver’s seat to catch on fire. The contact was to pull over and noticed that the back of his shirt had caught on fire as well, the contact was not injured. The contact was able to stop the fire by pouring water on the seat. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed, but the front driver seat was replaced, but the failure
2009 · ENGINE
CRANK SHAFT BALANCER WHICH IS SO COMMON AND AN ALMOST $9000 REPAIR. CAR RUNS BUT CAN'T SMOG OR SELL BECAUSE IT THROWS CODES P0016 P0017. THERE IS NO WORD ON MANY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. HOW DO WE FIX. THIS IS A ONE OWNER CAR WITH PROBLEM FOR LAST 50K MILES AND NO SOLUTION.
2009 · FUEL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving immediately after refueling, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
2009 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I’m smelling gas fumes inside and outside of the car. I heard there was a 15 yr warranty on E Class with this issue.
2009 · STEERING
(1) WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO DRIFT BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANE. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF LOSING STEERING FLUID. WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN? (2) THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO TREMBLE WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION AND ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDSUCH AS IN SLOW STREET TRAFIC.
2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2009 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN I WAS FILLING UP THE FUEL COMPLETELY, I HAD A SMELL OF FUEL FROM THE BACK WHEN I PARKED THE CAR, SO I TRACKED THE CAR AND FOUND THE FUEL DROPS COMING DOWN FROM THE LEFT SIDE IN THE BACK, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND TOOK IT HOME AND I CHECKED THE TRANSMITTER UNIT IN THE BACK SEAT AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AND I FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TRANSMITTER UNIT, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THERE IS A 15-YEAR GUARANTEE ON THIS SUBJECT AND I ADDED SOME EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING SOME CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, AND A RESPONSE TO THEM BY THE MAINTENANCE DEPAR
2009 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN I WAS FILLING UP THE FUEL COMPLETELY, I HAD A SMELL OF FUEL FROM THE BACK WHEN I PARKED THE CAR, SO I TRACKED THE CAR AND FOUND THE FUEL DROPS COMING DOWN FROM THE LEFT SIDE IN THE BACK, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND TOOK IT HOME AND I CHECKED THE TRANSMITTER UNIT IN THE BACK SEAT AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AND I FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TRANSMITTER UNIT, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THERE IS A 15-YEAR GUARANTEE ON THIS SUBJECT
2009 · SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DESPITE THE SEAT BELT BEING IN OPERATION AND SECURELY FASTENED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CARLTON MOTORCARS INC (2446 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE
2009 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GASOLINE ODOR IS NOTICED WHEN FUEL IS ADDED TO THE FUEL TANK. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR OVER 5 MINUTES AFTER A RECENT FUEL FILL. THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG AND HAS CAUSED HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO HAVE HEADACHES. I AM FORCED TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE DUE TO THIS ODOR. I ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE SPILLING ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE FUEL TANK AREA.
2009 · STRUCTURE
I RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL # 2020040011. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT BEVERLY HILLS MERCEDES FOR 9/23/20 AT 10:00AM.(PER LETTER SENT TO ME BY MERCEDEZ BENZ. (NHTSA RECALL #19V918). THE SERVICE MAN (I BELIEVE HIS NAME WAS TAMIR) TOLD ME THEY HAD NO LOANER FOR ME AND THAT 95% OF THE TIME THEY WILL DO NOTHING REGARDING THEIR RECALLS. I WAS STUNNED AT SUCH UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR FROM A MERCEDEZ DEALER. I TOLD HIM TO GIVE ME MY CAR BACK AND WHY DID THEY MAKE MY APPOINTMENT IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HONOR THE SAFETY COMMITTMENTS IN GOOD FAITH.
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint database · synced 2026-08-23