2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 8%of 223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 156,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350, 8% of the 223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 156,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hello, I was driving one night I hit the brake and the car lost control ..I was able to drive home afterward I took the car to a shop and after inception They found the rear K sub frame rusted and broken. The car in excellent shape with no rust or corrosion in any other area. The car has 108k miles and always parked indoor.”
NHTSA complaint #11456111, filed 2022-03“Driving on interstate, hit the brakes and noticed the car was swaying hard to the left. After that it progressively got worse. When hitting even the smallest bump or braking I heard a metal on metal ‘thunk’ sound. My daughters were in the car and it was frightening. Upon further inspection by a Mercedes mechanic, the secondary frame had rusted and snapped into. After reading forums online I found it’s very common. They rust from the inside out. There was absolutely NO previous warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11611182, filed 2024-08“We took our car into the local Mercedes Benz Dealership at Ft. Washington, PA for a routine service and PA inspection. Our vehicle is a 2011 MB E 4 matic and has ~70K miles. We received a call stating that the rear subframe of the vehicle had failed and was not considered safe and therefore did not pass the PA state inspection. We authorized the dealership to replace the component, which was done. The dealership suggested the corrosion may be caused by salt used for removing snow. …”
NHTSA complaint #11432427, filed 2021-09“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 2022-11“This vehicle, with 115,000 miles has been discovered to have had the brackets in the subframe for BOTH rear lateral arms rust through and are broken causing a $5,000 repair estimate. The mechanic who found this (42 years as a mechanic) said he has never seen anything like it. This is a car where I had to replace the transmission at 49,000 miles and the control unit at 62,000 miles (over $13,000 in repairs). I saw through AI search that this problem has been reported many times but has not prompted an investigation. This issue should NEVER happen and is a MAJOR SAFETY threat.”
NHTSA complaint #11652830, filed 2025-04Related service bulletins
- 11032684May 13, 2026Complaint Potential corrosion on the rear axle carrier Cause Due to market-specific conditions such as moisture, ingress of dirt and/or environmental influences, corrosion can…
- 11017211Apr 21, 2025Complaint Potential corrosion on the rear axle carrier Cause Due to market-specific conditions such as moisture, ingress of dirt, and environmental influences, corrosion may be…
- 10151948Jul 19, 2018Display of suspension setting in head unit implausible
- 10166993Jan 31, 2014Creaking/squeaking noises from the front axle when steering
- 10051975Dec 4, 2013Xentry (mercedes): with steering at full lock, noise can be heard, like knocking and/or creaking, coming from area of front axle when maneuvering. Models 203 (c240, 320, 32…
- 10043810Nov 14, 2011Mercedes: airmatic malfunction. Leaking airmatic system and not a faulty compressor.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% |
| 2014 | 30 | 11% |
| 2013 | 13 | 8% |
| 2012 | 14 | 6% |
| 2011 | 17 | 8% |
| 2010 | 17 | 9% |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350
108 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsBrakes
14 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 Oct 31, 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