2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 9%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,781miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350, 9% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,781 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2012 E350 coupe. Car was making an odd clunking noise when started, but would fade or idle out after a couple of seconds. Took it into mb service today and was just informed that my car has a camshaft problem and it's wearing on the right cylinder head. Service rep says they have seen several cars come in with the same issue. Repairs cost $9,000! Seems like an engineering/mechanical defect as I was told there was nothing I could have done to prevent this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11010739, filed 2017-07, 115,000 miles“While driving on an express way in dallas, texas my GPS made an error concerning an exit and I was required to divert quickly to the left to make exit lane .time was 6:00 pm ,heavy traffic conditions and road and weather conditions were excellent and dry. My mercedes pre activated a skid mode and there was approximately a 70% cut back in engine power .a yellow engine light came on and skid mode came on operator screen but there was no skidding taking place. …”
NHTSA complaint #10585027, filed 2014-04, 20,000 miles“'experienced rattling sounds and took vehicle for inspection to Mercedes-Benz of tucson (mbt) on 5/9/18 'inspection found secondary chain tensioners producing rattling noise until oil pressure is built up. Est cost of repairs $1497.94. Receipt reads: no consequential damage to be expected 'july 2018 check engine light. …”
NHTSA complaint #11319793, filed 2020-03, 89,000 miles“My 2012 mercedes E350 has oil contamination of the wiring harness. The oil has also damaged other components in the engine compartment including oxygen sensors; probes and ecu(computer) this is very expensive damage. Mercedes-benz had had recall for this problem in the past but the recall did not extend to the 2012 model year. They need to do another recall for this ongoing problem. This is a major safety hazard, as the car could stall in traffic without warning”
NHTSA complaint #11413931, filed 2021-04, 101,000 miles“When starting the vehicle has a slow start. When in motion the vehicle drives rough, and cuts off, then the check engine light came on. This vehicle has a great maintenance record only serviced at the mercedes dealer and has 0nly 54000 miles. This is clearly an engineering issue which was a safety issue. Mercedes repaired. They found the camshaft damaged, head damaged, and gear damaged and replaced camshaft and gear only. They charged my for their engineering failures $4874.38. …”
NHTSA complaint #10838826, filed 2016-02, 55,400 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant…
- 11008064Aug 9, 2024In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance and quality of your vehicle, we are writing to inform you that on certain Model Year 2011-2018 C-Class, E-Class…
- 11031736Sep 6, 2023In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA ("MBUSA") is extending…
- 11031648Oct 5, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC will provide an Extended Modification Warranty for each vehicle that has received the Approved Emission Modification. The Extended Modification Warranty…
- 10160738Apr 11, 2019Update engine electronics (ME-SFI) control unit software
- 10135598Mar 25, 2015Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor"
- 10056233Mar 13, 2014Xentry (mercedes): in the instrument cluster, an esp warning due to implausible accelerator pedal signal received from engine control unit. Model 2012 172, 212, 218, 207, 204.
- 10044601Aug 13, 2013Xentry (mercedes): check engine light (cel) is activated; stored in engine control unit is very fine leak. Automatic fuel tank leak test software is sensitive and can produces an…
- 10051973Jan 1, 2013Mercedes: due to not meeting current specification for the injector coding, the engine control module (ecm) scn coding will be updated to correct condition. Models 2012 212…
- 10051540Oct 26, 2012Xentry: m271.8 evo engine has poor accelerator response- lack of power under full load and high rpm. Engine diagnosis warning lamp (cel) lights up, vehicle is in limp-home mode…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 31% |
| 2020 | 3 | 38% |
| 2017 | 2 | 29% |
| 2016 | 5 | 10% |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% |
| 2014 | 20 | 7% |
| 2013 | 15 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 9% |
| 2011 | 13 | 6% |
| 2010 | 15 | 8% |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% |
| 2008 | 13 | 8% |
| 2007 | 28 | 8% |
| 2006 | 50 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350
84 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsBrakes
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 Oct 29, 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