The most common
Mercedes-Benzproblems range from engine system failures to problems with the brake system, rough gear shifts, transmission issues, and rusty engine mounts.
Across the board, Mercedes-Benz are known for gearbox and transmission problems, along with engine malfunctions. But certain model years are less reputable than others.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles come with higher annual repair costs—making them rank lower among reliability ratings.
The 2008 E350 is considered the most reliable Mercedes-Benz, while the 2006 E350 is considered the least reliable.
The most common Mercedes-Benz problems
The German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz 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 an average 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 misfires, bad catalytic converters and rusty engine mounts
These common problems are just the beginning for Benz—a deep dive into each model revealed unique issues prevalent among different model years. 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, suspension failure, bad air pump system relays | 2006, 2007 |
C300 | $44,600 | 81/100 | Steering wheel 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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Average annual repair cost: $788
CarComplaints.com complaints: 131
drivers have reported the following issues:
Cracked thrust link bushing in 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.
Leaky differential covers and seals: Similarly, leaks in your differential fluid can cause a less comfortable ride and excessive wear and tear.
Sticking air pumps: Air pumps 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.
Some E350 drivers have also 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 C300does 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
ML350is one of J.D. Power’s top ten midsize SUVs. Nonetheless, owners have reported rough shifting caused by issues with the gearbox 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.
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Average annual repair cost: $1,456
CarComplaints.com complaints: 50
Like some of its E-series siblings, the
E320is prone to fissures in the thrust link arm 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
C250may 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. In fact, the 2012 model was recalled due to this issue.
Other complaints include:
Rattling engine or engine misfires
Electrical issues
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.
The reliability of Mercedes-Benz cars
Mercedes-Benz engineers luxurious cars, but they’re not always 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
GLAas one of the best small premium SUVs of 2020 and 2021!
When buying a Mercedes-Benz, be prepared to set aside some money for annual auto repair costs, no matter the model you choose. Repair costs may be even higher for the brand’s least reliable models, such as the 2006 E350.
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 older Mercedes E-class sedan was originally 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.
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FAQ
How long do Mercedes-Benz vehicles last?
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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?
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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.
