Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle veered into another lane. Additionally, while her son was driving at high speeds, he detected a shimmy in the front end. While approaching a stop, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken for a routine inspection, the dealer diagnosed that the rear brake lines were rusted through. The contact was informed that the rear brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable. The contact stated that the steel brake lines were rusted. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
1: The accelerator was sticking and i could not get the car to stop even when i was pressing on the brakes . Unfortunately, due to this scary event i hit the car in front of me injuring the the gentleman. the vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance as it was a total loss withn damages more than 14k
The rear brake line corroded and developed an actual brake-fluid leak. The failure triggered a brake-system warning and created a risk of reduced braking capability or loss of braking if the leak worsened. The problem was confirmed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership, which diagnosed corrosion of the brake line and recommended replacement. The dealer provided a repair estimate and later reduced the repair cost through a goodwill review coordinated with Mercedes-Benz USA. This was not simply surface rust discovered during routine maintenance. The corrosion progressed to the point of an active hydraulic brake-fluid leak. The vehicle had approximately 79,349 miles at the time of the failure. Mercedes-Benz had also recently replaced the rear subframe on this vehicle under an extended warranty related to corrosion. …
We have been told by our Mercedes Auto Repair shop and subsequently confirmed by two additional auto repair shops, that our rear sub frame has deteriorated and that the steel brakes lines are also rusting creating a very dangerous situation. We were warned to drive straight home and not to drive it again. We have also been told that this is a "known" problem with Mercedes C and E class cars and that the sub frame deteriorates from the inside out and has nothing to do with salt on the roads or snow or ice. Had we not brought it in for the usual oil change and check up we could have been killed. We understand that there are recalls in the UK, Canada, Ireland, and other countries but not in the US. The repair is $7,000.00+ and the wait for the part is approximately 6 months. Why is there no recall in the US? We have read numerous reports on the Menz World Forum with the same issue. …
Was informed about the extended warranty for the rusting rear sub-frame issues on this make and year. Upon speaking with the dealership and further research online the rear hard brake lines are rusted as well and not covered by Mercedes. Upon further research this a common issue and danager to my safety and others as well. Upon work required to fix rear sub-frame would make it easier job to also replace rusted brakes lines. But Mercedes does not cover that and wants to charge customers a extra 3500$ to fix something that should not be happen as well. With the sub-frame out for replacement would make sense to replace other rusted parts with the extended warranty. It's a major safety issues already with rusted sub-frame and also added rusted brakes lines. This should be investigated further into to keep everyone safe. …
On July 5, 2023, I was driving my 2013 Mercedes E350, when a red text warning appeared in the speedometer display: "BRAKE Check Brake Fluid Level". I immediately took my car to the dealer's repair shop at Contemporary Motor Cars in Little Silver, NJ. Their mechanic inspected and found that both rear brake lines were leaking and needed to be replaced. I requested that they do the necessary repairs. The total cost I paid was $2309.18. My car has 106,352 miles driven. In my 50+ years of driving, I have never experienced such a serious failure in the many cars I previously owned. Subsequently I did some research and found the the NHTSA denied a Defect Petition DP20-004 for a complaint that had been filed by Mr. Surjit Singh for the same failure in his 2013 Mercedes E350. I also found many other on-line complaints about leaking rear brakes lines in 2013 model Mercedes E350 cars. …
Rear subframe recall and brake lines. I am very disappointed and frustrated right now. 2013 e350 has completely corroded brake lines on an otherwise relatively rust free car. The vehicle is due to get the rear subframe replaced as part of the warranty extension. The brake lines are not covered and are 4,000 dollar additional fee to replace. I can't get the work done anywhere else for cheaper because the rear subframe needs to be dropped in order to do the brake lines, making it cost prohibitive to have the subframe and brake lines done at different shops. Something is wrong with the brake lines they used when building this car. I've owned cars with 10x more rust and perfectly in tact brake lines. Frames rot away before I see brake lines this bad. They should have extended the warranty to the brake lines and I hope they do so I can get reimbursed in the future.
The brake fluid lines rusted. The front line, due to the rusted hole, leaked brake fluid to the point that the car had little to no braking ability. In addition, the computer warning did not activate. The car was taken to the dealer, where they verified that the computer warning did not activate, and that the brake fluid had bleed out causing the vehicle to have no brakes. This is a dangerous situation! The car is a little over 10 years old, has about 54,000 miles. Had I been on the highway and tried to make a hard stop, I could have had a terrible accident. The dealer now has the car for repairs, but there are many other E350 that have posted online that they have had an identical situation where the brake fluid lines have rusted out! This leaves the driver, without any warning, to be put in a life threating situation!
NHTSA investigations
Rear brake line failure
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.
Brake complaints in other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350, 20% of the model year's 164 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.