2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 9%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350, 9% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rusted brake lines causing brake fluid leaking and loose break pedal. This is severely affecting break system performance and vehicle safety. Mb dealer quoted $2910.00 plus tax for replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #11415345, filed 2021-05, 65,000 miles“The brake lines on my car rusted out from the brake booster all of way to the rear calipers. This is the third time it’s happened to me as I’ve owned multiple E classes. If Mercedes-Benz covers the subframe, why is the brake lines which are located right above said subframe not covered?”
NHTSA complaint #11725790, filed 2026-03“I recently took my 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership after experiencing corrosion of the rear subframe. The dealership confirmed and is servicing the vehicle under an active recall notice that extended the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty from 4 years/50,000 miles to 20 years /unlimited miles. After removing the subframe for repair, they observed serious corrosion of the brake lines. There had been no warnings or symptoms to alert me to any corrosion problems with the brake line prior to this. …”
NHTSA complaint #11679081, filed 2025-08“My car had a pool of brake fluid under the car and when I turned it on, it said the brake fluid was low. When I went to check the reservoir it was empty. The underpanels were removed and the brake lines were rotted out in several areas. I was shocked because my car is in mint condition and I have always avoided taking it out when the roads are salted in the winter. I am lucky this happened when the car was parked. This has never happened to the cars in my family which were never treated with as much care.”
NHTSA complaint #11542912, filed 2023-09“The rear subframe got separated from chassis. I was driving to work and had to hard brake to void a collision with another vehicle all of a sudden vehicle shifted to the left and I ended up on a curb. Further inspection vehicle`s rear subframe rotted out due to rust. Also, both rear brake lines from abs module to calipers are damaged due to corrosion. I ended up replacing both brake lines and did not think too much of it and now I see a lot of people complaining about both brake line corrosion and subframe separation or excessive rust, casing rear subframe to fail. …”
NHTSA complaint #11702962, filed 2025-12Related 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350
84 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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