2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden loss of power or unexpected acceleration, water leaking around the windshield, and rough or sticking gear shifts. Windshield complaints often describe a gradual change, such as leaks that spread or seals that loosen over time, while the power and gear problems are described as sudden events. Where mileage is listed, the power-related reports are all under 5,000 miles, while the windshield and transmission reports are mostly at 39,000 miles or more.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden loss of power or unexpected acceleration

   • 10 complaints (20%)
   • median 4,800 mi at 1.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners describe the car not responding when the accelerator is pressed, or losing power and slowing suddenly, sometimes with warning lights or messages on the instrument panel. Other reports describe the car accelerating on its own, including from a stop and at moderate speeds, with the brakes not responding well in some cases. According to complaints, in some cases the dealer could not find or reproduce the problem, and some owners say it returned after a software reset or repeated repairs. Where mileage is listed, these reports are all under 5,000 miles, and some describe it happening at highway speeds.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal wiring harness has been checked under the warranty extension in the related service bulletin. On a test drive, check throttle response from a stop and at speed, and watch for engine or transmission warning messages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car shown intermittent problem of not accelerating when gas pedal is pushed. It will give many jerky movements but then after few minutes driving like this it will normalize. I took it twice to dealer and they could not identify or replicate problems. Then my wife taking kids to school has similar problem so I got scared for safety of kids and wrote to their head quarter. They told me to take the car back to dealer and leave it for 5-6 days so they can try to find the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10937370, filed 2016-12, 40 miles

   “I was driving my husband's 2016 E350 at 45 mph when the car accelerated. I attempted to control the speed by braking but the brake did not respond well. The steering wheel was also loose. The car sped up and turned left to the opposite side of the road, crossed the two lanes and hit the fence followed by a tree. The car was totaled, and the tree broke down at its branches. I survived the crush with two fractures on my back and on my left thumb.”

   NHTSA complaint #11540330, filed 2023-08
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Water leaks around the windshield

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 39,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners describe water getting into the cabin or appearing on the inside of the windshield, sometimes after rain. Some report that the glass moves when pressed by hand, and wind noise at speed is also mentioned. According to complaints, the windshield seal or bonding has separated, and the dealer reportedly said leaks were not covered by warranty. Listed mileage ranges from about 39,000 to 140,000 miles, and some reports describe water appearing after rain.

   What to check: Check the headliner, door sills and carpet near the windshield for water stains or dampness, especially after rain. Ask whether the windshield has ever been replaced or resealed and request any repair records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recently (April 2024) we've noticed water drops forming on the inside of the vehicle along the top of the front windshield after a rain. Pushing outward along the top inside of the windshield glass indicates some movement of the glass. This applies all along the top inside of the windshield and not just one spot or area. So far, we have only observed water drops and have not observed any water pooling or puddling yet. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11587218, filed 2024-05

   “We have been getting water in the front passenger compartment below the door area, after rain. We took it to our mechanic, who determined that the windshield integrity has been compromised along the top area in front of the passenger dash. Apparently the seal has separated, allowing water to enter the vehicle. Our mechanic stated that the safety of the vehicle has been compromised and the windshield needs to be removed and re-glued. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11574053, filed 2024-02
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough shifting and gears that stick

   Mentioned in 5 of 45 sampled complaints

   Owners describe jerky or rough shifts between the lower gears, and gears that stick, including a car stuck in first gear or unable to shift into park. Some report that the car would not downshift or would not shift out of a gear, and the dealer reportedly diagnosed a need for transmission replacement. According to complaints, the failure can return after the engine is restarted or a software reset is done. Reports that list mileage range from about 4,800 to 138,000 miles, and most are at 39,000 miles or more.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for harsh shifts from a stop and on downshifts, and confirm the car moves cleanly into and out of park. Ask for repair records for any transmission work and whether any fault codes were logged.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I try to put the vehicle in park the car is stuck in drive or reverse. If the car is in reverse or if the vehicle is in drive and you use the gear selector to put the vehicle in park or change and gear the vehicle does not change the gear. I bought this vehicle certified preowned from Mercedes-Benz dealership in july 2019 the vehicle has less than 4000 miles on it since I bought it certified and this issue has occurred. This is a safety issue which could have injury and or death. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11394574, filed 2021-02, 39,000 miles

   “When accelerating from a stop, the 722.9 7g-tronic automatic transmission sometimes get stuck in 1st gear. The engine speed almost instantaneously exceeds 5000 RPM. The car must be immediately driven off the road, the engine turned off and then restarted. The transmission will then shift properly until the next time it fails which could be at almost any time. This is a very common complaint which mercedes benz has known about for years. Only mercedes benz will repair the problem since they will not allow 3rd parties access to the repair parts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10954937, filed 2017-02, 138,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rear subframe rust and corrosion

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe rust, corrosion or perforation on the rear subframe, found during a state safety inspection, a dealer visit or an independent inspection. According to complaints, the corrosion can affect the joints to the rear suspension and nearby brake lines. The manufacturer has offered a subframe replacement or an extended warranty on the rear subframe, and some owners say they were asked to pay part of the repair, including for corroded brake lines the offer did not cover. Mileage is given in the complaint text as about 58,000 miles, and the rust was found during inspections, dealer visits or independent repairs.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look underneath at the rear subframe and nearby brake lines for rust, flaking or holes, and have a mechanic inspect them before buying. Ask the seller whether the rear subframe warranty extension bulletin has been checked for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car was in for (Aug 2022) annual safety and emissions state (PA) inspection and normal maintenance. Last performed Aug 2021. I was told that the car failed safety inspection because the Rear SubFrame had rusted through. A hole was present not just surface rust. The car has 58,000 miles and garage kept. The car was just (June 2022) in for all 4 wheel brakes replaced along with 4 tires. There hasn’t been any recall on this and they quoted Repair price of$5,400 and expect me to pay $1,000 towards that replace and repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11482740, filed 2022-09

   “Dealership stated on 6/4/24 extensive rust and perforations on rear vehicle sub frame that can cause risk to driver of accident or injury. MBUSA is offering to replace sub frame part # 212 350 38 05. However dealership advised MBUSA is not offering to replace corroded brake lines or brake fluid exchange, and would need to come out of pocket. MBUSA failed to notify me of safety defect. Vehicle was purchased from MB of Arlington, VA in 4/2019 however dealership sold vehicle that is dangerous to drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11592509, filed 2024-06
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light or no airbag deployment

   Mentioned in 4 of 45 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the airbag warning light coming on while driving or flashing at random. In some reports the dealer found a failed gasket seal, a failed wiring harness or a failed control unit. In crash-related reports, owners say the airbags did not deploy, and the dealer reportedly said the impact speed was too low for deployment. Where mileage is listed, the reports are at about 5,200 and 41,000 miles, and some give no mileage.

   Recall 17V627000

   What to check: Confirm that the airbag warning light goes out after start-up, and ask the seller whether any airbag fault codes were recorded or the wiring and control unit were checked. Ask whether the frontal airbag recall (17V627000) has been completed for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle was moving thru intersection when another vehicle ran a red light. I hit the brakes, but still crashed into side of other vehicle at 20-25 MPH. My vehicle had front end damage and was a total loss. I was wearing a seat belt, but it did not hold me to the seat. I hit the steering wheel with my chest and had to go to hospital for x-rays. Also, the steering wheel air bag did not deploy. The dealer said I was not going fast enough to deploy air bag. That is not true.”

   NHTSA complaint #10947642, filed 2017-01, 5,200 miles

   “Someone ran a stop sign traveling at at least 30 mph and hit my car twice; once in the front, once in the rear. I hit my face on the steering wheel, was knocked unconscious, and received a concussion. The airbags never deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11464578, filed 2022-05

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to check the windshield seal, the rear subframe and the transmission shifting, and ask for repair and warranty records for each. Confirming whether the frontal airbag recall and the rear subframe warranty bulletin have been reviewed for the specific vehicle is a practical step.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 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.