The Most Common Mercedes-Benz Problems
Mercedes-Benz cars are luxurious but often face engine issues, gear shift problems, and faulty engine mounts.
Written by Annette Maxon
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The most common Mercedes-Benz problems range from engine system failures to problems with the brake system and rough gear shifts to transmission issues and rusty engine mounts.
Price doesn’t always equal perfection, a harsh fact that even the most luxurious car makers aren’t immune to. Cue Mercedes-Benz—the manufacturer undoubtedly makes some of the sportiest, efficient, and most reliable vehicles out there.
However, whether it’s engine issues or airbag recalls, even the German automaker produces cars that struggle.
Since it’s important to know the pros and cons of any new vehicle,
Jerry
, the super app that saves you money on car insurance
, created this guide to walk you through the most common problems found in Mercedes-Benz. We also explore what this means for your Mercedes-Benz insurance costs
. So buckle up, and let’s get started. Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
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What are the most common Mercedes-Benz problems?
The German luxury carmaker is known for its high-tech (and high-price) sports vehicles. Though the brand offers top-notch design and a luxurious ride, the manufacturer received a 3.0/5.0 reliability rating from Repair Pal.
Though this rating isn’t bad, we did the sleuthing to find the most common hiccups that may make your Mercedes-Benz unreliable. Here are the most common problems we found across all makes and models:
- Gear shift problems, including rough shifting
- Transmission problems
- Engine malfunctions, including bad catalytic converters and rusty engine mounts
These common problems are just the starting point—each model has a list of prevalent issues. So to make it easy, we provided the table below for a complete breakdown of the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz models available in 2022:
Model | Starting price | J.D. Power reliability rating | Most common problems | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
E350 | $56,000 | 78/100 | Leaky differential cover and seal, brake system failure, broken front suspension system, bad air pump system relays | 2006, 2007 |
C300 | $44,600 | 81/100 | Steering lock mechanism failure, engine malfunction, noisy drive | 2011, 2015, 2016 |
ML350 | $50,725 | 83/100 | Faulty dashboard warning lights, leaky steering rack, failure in the camshaft adjuster solenoid or crankshaft position sensor | 2006 |
E320 | $56,000 | 78/100 | Sticking air pump relays, cracked front suspension system, low brake pressure, differential leaks | 2000, 2003, 2005 |
C250 | $44,600 | 81/100 | Faulty fuel or steering systems, electrical issues, rattling engine, airbag malfunction | 2012, 2013 |
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Most common Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Average annual repair cost: $788
CarComplaints.com complaints: 131
Mercedes E350
drivers have reported cracked thrust link bushing in their front suspension system. This special part helps to absorb shaking and vibration from the road. However, these bushings are known to fracture—the result is a bumpier ride and excessive wear and tear on the tires. Speaking of leaks, leaky differential covers and seals are also common for the E350. Expect to spend up to $300 on differential output seal replacement
.Also, beware of sticking air pumps, which help the E350 maintain its ride height. This system has been known to fail, resulting in the air pump running constantly and draining your battery.
Air pump replacement
will cost about $500 if you need a brand new part. Some drivers have dealt with low brake pressure and a faulty brake control system as well. Most common Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Average annual repair cost: $739
CarComplaints.com complaints: 104
Though fairly reliable, the
Mercedes C300
does not come without its problems. Whether it’s a faulty steering lock mechanism or trouble getting the engine to turn over, CarComplaints.com rated these common issues as “really awful,” the worst on the severity ranking since the average repair cost will set you back $1,300. But know that these problems don’t usually start until the 90,000 to 100,000-mile range. Some drivers have also reported excessively noisy rides, especially at highway speeds.
Most common Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,020
CarComplaints.com complaints: 65
The
ML350
is one of J.D. Power’s top ten midsize SUVs. Nonetheless, owners have reported rough shifting caused by issues with the gear system. The camshaft adjuster solenoid tends to malfunction, along with
steering rack
failures and issues with the electrical switches in the door latches or rear tailgate. MORE: Five coolest Mercedes concept cars
Most common Mercedes-Benz E320 problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,456
CarComplaints.com complaints: 50
Like some of its E-series siblings, the
E320
is prone to fissures in the thrust link bushings, wearing down the vehicle’s tires and making for a bumpy and unenjoyable ride. The air pump is also known to malfunction, not to mention leaks in the differential cover and seals and low brake pressure. Most common Mercedes-Benz C250 problems
Average annual repair cost: $770
CarComplaints.com complaints: 52
The
C250
may be a Mercedes classic, but with age comes more aches and pains. The most common and arguably the most dangerous C250 problem involves faulty airbag systems, which some say fail to deploy entirely (the 2012 model was recalled due to this issue). Other complaints include rattling engines, electrical issues, and problems with the steering system. Though fuel system problems don’t appear as frequently as the more-serious airbag failures or steering system issues, they’re possible and something to be aware of.
Are Mercedes-Benz cars reliable?
Mercedes-Benz engineers luxurious cars, but they’re not the most reliable. The experts at Consumer Reports rank the manufacturer’s reliability in the lower third of all car brands.
However, this does not mean that every model under the Mercedes-Benz umbrella should be avoided—J.D. Power ranked the 2017 and 2018
GLA
as one of the best small premium SUVs of 2020 and 2021! Space, power, and safety are among the many reasons why you should consider an SUV over a sedan.When buying a Mercedes-Benz, be prepared for an average annual repair cost no matter the model, and may be even higher for the brand’s least reliable models, such as the 2006 E350.
MORE: Does Mercedes-Benz have a self-driving car?
The least reliable Mercedes-Benz model: 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350
Most common problems: Rough shifting, camshaft adjuster solenoid failure, cracked front thrust link bushings
NHTSA complaints: N/A
This E-class sedan was introduced to up the speed and performance of this then-overlooked series. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine was the first of its type to be installed in an E-class vehicle.
Even though the new E350 was expected to offer a powerful performance boost over its sister E320 model, the manufacturer had not yet worked out all of the problems when they released the very first E350 in 2006.
Most of its problems are in the engine—the balance shaft is one of the biggest, not to mention most serious, problems. Not only do repairs for this essential piece cost $4,500+, but be prepared for other costly issues to be stacked on top of it, such as fissures in the front thrust link bushings, shifting system failures, and excessive tire wear-and-tear.
The most reliable Mercedes-Benz model: 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350
Most common problems: Rough shifting, camshaft adjuster solenoid failure, poor engine performance
NHTSA complaints: 195
The experts at J.D. Power rated the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350’s reliability 85/100, proving how the manufacturer boomeranged back after the unattractive 2006 release of the E350.
But even the most reliable Mercedes-Benz comes with its problems. Rough shifting, failure of the camshaft adjuster solenoid, and poor engine performance are the most common issues arising for this vehicle.
MORE: Are Mercedes-Benz expensive to maintain?
How to buy hassle-free car insurance
It may feel like owning a Mercedes-Benz is less than luxurious given the manufacturer’s extensive list of common problems. Though this may be the case for some models, finding affordable
car insurance quotes online
for your Mercedes shouldn’t have to be a hassle. If you’re not convinced, meet
Jerry
. The car insurance super app
is a pro at taking care of insurance shopping for you. All you need to do is download the app, enter some basic info, and let Jerry handle the rest. In just 45 seconds, you’ll have a comprehensive cross-comparison of the best policies out there! Plus,
Jerry
will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.7/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price.Jerryhelped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.
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How long do Mercedes-Benz vehicles last?
On average, Mercedes-Benz vehicles last 13-17 years or 200,000 to 250,000 miles. Even so, it’s not unheard of for Mercedes-Benz vehicles to last over 20 or 30 years with more than 300,000 miles.
Why is Mercedes-Benz unreliable?
Since Mercedes-Benz is a luxury automaker, you can expect to spend more on repairs and maintenance. Affordability is a key part of reliability, and repairing most of the common issues with a Mercedes-Benz is expensive.
Even so, a few Mercedes-Benz models have topped J.D. Power’s best of lists and rank high for reliability.
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