2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Fuel system, gasoline

  THE CAR EXUDES A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. THE GASOLINE ODOR IS SO STRONG THAT I CAN NO LONGER PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE OF OUR HOUSE AS THE FUMES ARE SO OVERPOWERING THEY SEEP INTO THE HOME LIVING AREAS AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED (BREATHING). OVERALL, THE GAS FUMES ARE STRONG ENOUGH THAT I DO FEAR THAT SOMETHING EXTERNAL (COOKING, WATER HEATER PILOT LIGHT) COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE SPONTANEOUS FUME IGNITION/FIRE. *TR

  Nov 18, 2013 · 83,633 miles
• Seats

  I STARTED THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT. I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING SO I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE AGAIN. THE ODOR KEPT GETTING STRONGER AND NOW THE LEFT SIDE OF MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT STARTED TO GET REALLY HOT AND THEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK. I STOPPED MY CAR AND JUMPED OUT TO SEE A SMALL HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL MELTING AND A SMALL ORANGE FLAME BURNING. LUCKILY I HAD A BOTTLE OF WATER AND POURED IT ON THE SEAT AND THEN TURNED…

  Sep 14, 2013 · 66,860 miles
• Wheels › Rim

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES E CLASS WITH 18 INCH RIMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY DEVELOPED A BLISTER ON IT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THREE OF THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SINCE THEY WERE OUT OF ROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE TIRE, TWO FRONT RIMS, ONE REAR RIM AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

  Apr 9, 2009 · 6,000 miles
• Wheels

  MANY MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. MERCEDES SAYS IT IS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS. IT IS A NEW PROBLEM WITH NEW MERCEDES E SERIES CARS. A PERSON WROTE "HAVE BEEN IN THE TIRE & WHEEL BUSINESS FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES. MOSTLY WITH AFTER MARKET WHEELS WHERE THE STANDARD WHEEL SIZES REACH ALL THE WAY UP TO 26-INCH DIAMETERS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A DEFECTIVE WHEEL OR TIRE. MERCEDES BENZ HAS DECIDED TO INSTALL LARGER WHEELS ON THEIR VEHICLES SO THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A LARGER FOOTPRINT TO IMPROVE HANDLING AND TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WITH INSTALLING A LARGER DIAMETER WHEEL ON ANY CAR IS YOU ARE NOW LEFT WITH A…

  Jul 1, 2009 · 15,000 miles
• Power train › Automatic transmission

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 76 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WOULD BRAKE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE REPAIR DETAILS OR COST WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

  Apr 20, 2009 · 38,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.