2007 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report a gasoline smell around and inside the car after refueling, usually traced by mechanics to the fuel tank, sending unit or pump under the rear seat. Many complaints also concern the sunroof, where glass panels have separated, caved in or shattered and several recalls address the panel bonding. Remaining reports cover engine stalling, transmission shifting and rear suspension faults, mostly at higher mileages.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks from tank or sending unit

   • 249 complaints (71%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (213 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 36 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2024

   Owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin, around the rear wheel wells or in the garage, typically appearing after a fill-up and fading once the level drops below about three-quarters. Many say the smell is strongest near or under the rear seat, and some report fuel pooling on top of the tank or dripping near the left rear tire. Dealers and independent shops commonly diagnosed a cracked tank, leaking sending unit seals or a faulty fuel pump; repairs ranged from replacing the sending unit to replacing the tank, and several owners report the odor returning. Some mention an extended warranty on fuel tank components that their vehicle was not covered by. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 150,000 miles, usually shortly after refueling.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: After a fill-up, smell around the rear wheel wells and inside the cabin, and look under the rear seat cushion for dampness or fuel residue. Ask whether the tank, sending unit or pump has been replaced, and confirm any fuel tank warranty extension still applies to this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gas smell inside and outside of car when you fill car. The gas over flows and form a little pool of gas on top of the gas tank, this is just under the rear seat. This sounds like a known problem and should have been fixed (recalled) by mercedes. I took it to the dealer and had it fixed because I don't want my family sick or hurt.”

   NHTSA complaint #10480803, filed 2012-10, 67,000 miles

   “After fueling my car, gasoline smell became intolerably strong. I called the dealer and they told me that the 2007 E350 is known for leaks and I should bring it for a diagnostic check. The manufacturer according to the dealer is aware but no federal action has been mandated. Estimates could range from $1000 to $2000. Bummer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10557980, filed 2013-12, 91,000 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Sunroof glass detaches, cracks or shatters

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the sliding glass panel coming loose or caving in, sometimes while opening it and sometimes while driving at highway speed. Some describe a fractured seal or wind noise near the sunroof beforehand, and others say the glass shattered with a loud noise. Several owners checked their VIN against the sunroof recalls, and some were told by dealers that the vehicle had already been inspected, that parts were unavailable, or that the repair was not covered. Reported from about 32,000 to 140,000 miles, sometimes while driving at highway speed.

   Recall 24V874000Recall 22V954000Recall 21V196000Recall 19V918000

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof seal and glass-to-frame bond for lifting or gaps, open and close the roof slowly, and have a dealer confirm by VIN whether the sunroof recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have 2007 E350 class 4-matic sport package, the panoramic sunroof does not open and when I push bottom to open the motor sound like is grinding the car has only 75000 miles on it and the dealer does not warranty it. The cost to have repaired at mercede dealership is $1500.”

   NHTSA complaint #11341594, filed 2020-07, 75,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 62 MPH, the contact heard a loud sound coming from the roof, and the sunroof exploded. The contact had previously observed wind whistling near the sunroof seal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11770745, filed 2026-10, 140,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalling, no-start or check engine light

   • 21 complaints (6%)
   • median 66,100 mi at 7.7 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off while driving or failing to start, with the check engine light on. Diagnoses from dealers and independent shops included a faulty crankshaft position sensor, a failed engine control module, camshaft sensor faults, and a damaged camshaft balancer that produced a loud rattle at idle. Owners describe repeated diagnostics and, in some cases, several attempted repairs before the fault was identified. Spread from about 29,000 to 257,000 miles, with several reports between 90,000 and 140,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records covering the crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor and engine control module, and have a pre-purchase scan confirm no stored codes and that the check engine light stays off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car was running suddenly stop and does not start, I take it to mercedes dealer and they charge me $195.00 plus tax to scanned it they found the ECM engine control module need to be replace. Cost is $2,300 plus tax. Please contact me for at your convenience so I can take further steps towards mercedes benz.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321180, filed 2020-04, 37,000 miles

   “The engine stalled while in motion and driving over 45 MPH. This is the 2nd time this has occurred. Both times I was travelling over 45 MPH on a large and busy city street and had difficulty steering my car to safety. There are no codes to explain what might be the cause. Replaced the transmission control unit the first time. After removing the key, putting the car in park and waiting for 5-10 minutes, in both occurrences I was able to restart the vehicle and drive to the dealership, which was less than 5 miles from my location.”

   NHTSA complaint #11209890, filed 2019-05, 132,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with this model is worth the cost, with particular attention to fuel odors after a fill-up, sunroof recall completion, and rear ride height. Ask for service records and confirm open recalls by VIN before agreeing on a price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.