2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the E350 at the same age

Owners have filed 184 complaints about the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.7× as many as a typical E350 model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the air bags (68 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

184complaints
4recalls
9crashes
0fires
6injuries
0deaths

Most common 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems

  • Air bags~60,000 miles
    6837%
  • 2011%
  • Other / not specified~55,000 miles
    1910%
  • Electrical system~73,000 miles
    179%
  • Suspension~108,000 miles
    179%
  • Engine & cooling~50,000 miles
    169%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~103,000 miles
    148%
  • Brakes~86,000 miles
    148%
  • Body & structure~36,000 miles
    116%
  • Steering~183,000 miles
    84%
  • Wheels & tires~8,000 miles
    63%
  • Lights~7,000 miles
    53%
  • Speed control & acceleration~30,000 miles
    42%
  • Seats~78,000 miles
    42%
  • Stability & traction control~40,000 miles
    32%
  • Equipment & accessories~10,000 miles
    21%
  • Driver assistance
    21%

Share of the 184 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints by model year

’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’20’21’22’23’24’25’2671015400350173641842232171642783151781396855
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz E350. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best E350 years: 2017, 2015, 2020. Years to avoid: 2014, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2006. Compare all years →

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls (4)

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software

NHTSA recall 22V-168 · Mar 18, 2022 · 22 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-043 · Jan 10, 2018 · 132,167 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-363 · May 26, 2016 · 258,163 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama,…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-081 · Feb 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic,…

Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350:

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

Rear brake line failure

NHTSA investigation DP20004 · opened Apr 24, 2020 · closed Oct 9, 2020

On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had severely rusted brake lines that need[ed] to be replaced immediately at a cost of about $3300.

What 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners say

Air bags all 68 →

I was involved in a head on collision when a motorist driving in the wrong lane hit the front of my car in the evening of 10/2/24. The impact was huge and my car was totaled. However, my airbag did not deploy and I hit my chest and knees very hard against the steering wheel and dashboard. Airbag deployment is a basic safety feature during an accident particularly in a luxury vehicle like Mercedes Benz that is known for its safety record.

Oct 2024 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Mercedes Benz E350. While proceeding through a green light, a snow plow sped through a red light and crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a lot and the manufacturer diagnosed that the crash was not severe enough for the air bags to deploy. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,956. Updated 03/26/15 updated 06/22/2015

60,000 miles · Nov 2014 · crash · 1 injury

Fuel & propulsion system all 20 →

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350W. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a gasoline odor within the interior of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel filter flange. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V557000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 94,000.

94,000 miles · Oct 2022

This is in regard to E350 2010. Gas smell after tank fill up (only when full). Fuel pump cover on the driver side under the back seat. The tank cover (plastic) breaks and leaks. Similar problem was noted on previous models (2009) and recall was issued. [redacted] Very hazardous (Flammable and combustible) and the dealer stated that it is a common problem. I removed the back seat and is gasoline leaking and accumulating above the cover. Similar problem occurred on the cover on the right side and was replaced. The plastic cover on both sides breaks and leaks gasoline into the car. Should be recalled and replaced.

Dec 2023

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The contact parked the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed pieces of the serpentine belt on the engine. The contact turned the vehicle off. The contact went to a nearby Auto Parts store and purchased a new serpentine belt. The contact replaced the serpentine belt, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that upon checking the data on the instrument panel, the contact became aware of several error messages. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. …

Instrument cluster/panel · 183,000 miles · Feb 2025

I was driving on the turnpike and thank god no other cars were next to me. Sometimes when I go over 50 the car tends to pull in another direction. I took it to get service a week after I bought it and got my car back 6months later. Than the accident happened. They just replaced computer chip they said. The car has never driven right since I bought it. So when the car decided to pull to the left I was pulling with all my strength to just keep the wheel straight but I had no control and spun around 5 times n landed backwards on the turnpike facing on coming traffic. I'm so upset that I never got to enjoy the vehicle it still pulls and the dealership always says its fine. The car rattles. One day I was driving n the seat I was sitting on blew up for no reason. …

7,000 miles · Aug 2011 · crash

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.5L 6-cyl7-speed automaticRWD18 / 26 / 21

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 a good car?

Based on 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 E350 rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the E350 at the same age. It is one of the E350 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350?

The air bags — 68 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (20) and electrical system (17).

How many recalls does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350, the most recent from March 18, 2022 (software). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz E350?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2015 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2006. See the full Mercedes-Benz E350 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 43% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.