2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 6%of 223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350, 6% of the 223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving home from work at approximately 1:30 pm on a clear, sunny day, about a minute away from my home. The road conditions were good, and there was no traffic. I stopped at the corner to make a left turn. As I proceeded to turn, the car suddenly accelerated. I immediately applied the brakes, but they did not engage. I had no control of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11301964, filed 2020-01, 95,000 miles“I was coming out of the parking garage. I proceeded to the entrance to garage. The street was narrow for two cars to pass by. I made a right turn from the garage exit to the narrow street with 5 MPH speed. There were two cars about 25 feet away already on that street. Those two cars were waiting to make a left or right turn on main street at the t junction. Suddenly my car accelerated to 45 MPH approximately. I applied the brake but the brake did not even slow down the car. With the brake not working and the car accelerating very fast, the car became out of control. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522362, filed 2013-06, 11,145 miles“I bought my vehicle to the Mercedes dealership to get the rear subframe replaced under extended warranty due to it being rusted and broken from the rear suspension attachment points. While the Mercedes technician had the subframe removed he noted that the rear brake lines which are routed under the body and between the subframe had significant rust/corrosion on them.”
NHTSA complaint #11589737, filed 2024-05“Subject: Safety Concern – Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC (2011) Subframe and Brake Line Rust Dear [Mercedes-Benz Customer Care / NHTSA], I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC. Recently, I brought my vehicle in for recall service, and during the inspection, it was discovered that: The rear subframe is broken due to rust. The brake lines are extremely rusted, and I was advised that I could lose braking control if they are not replaced immediately. The estimated repair cost exceeds $4,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #11689944, filed 2025-09“I noticed fluid on the ground under my car in the driveway. Turns out it was brake fluid, the vehicle alerted me to low brake fluid. Here was a broken brake line which appears to have been caused by the subframe being rusted out. The issue is with the rear subframe on the Mercedes’ E and C class dating from 2008 on. Mine is a 2011 E class. The subframes on these vehicles rust and rot out causing issues to the brake lines and rear suspension parts rotting / rusting out due to the subframe being compromised. …”
NHTSA complaint #11493197, filed 2022-11Related service bulletins
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily…
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 14% |
| 2016 | 3 | 6% |
| 2015 | 4 | 13% |
| 2014 | 50 | 18% |
| 2013 | 32 | 20% |
| 2012 | 20 | 9% |
| 2011 | 14 | 6% |
| 2010 | 14 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 54 | 14% |
| 2005 | 5 | 33% |
| 2004 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350
108 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology