Engine
5.0L 8-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 125 of 125 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 100 of 125 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Fuel system
41 complaint records
"VEHICLE IS PARKED, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ESPECIALLY IF THE GAS TANK IS AT LEAST 3/4 QUARTER FILLED. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse fuel system parts in the directory →
Brakes
38 complaint records2 crash reports
"I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. RED LIGHT LET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH IT SAID THAT BRAKE MALFUNCTION. SBC SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO GLADE TO A STOP AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Suspension
21 complaint records
"Air suspension in the rear suddenly failed making it impossible to drive, also triggered a red warning of "stop, car too low"..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA13003 opened Mar 2013 | closed Dec 2014 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V874000 | Visibility | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. | Normally free |
| 22V954000 | Visibility | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. | Normally free |
| 19V918000 | Visibility | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. | Normally free |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| EW - SBC Hydraulic Unit Aug 2018 | WARRANTY EXTENSION | Service Brakes | The warranty on the SBC Hydraulic Unit for MY 2003-2006 Model 211, MY 2006 Model 219, and Model Year 2003-2012 Model 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 25 years with no mileage limitation. |
| LI42.10-P-078779 Sep 2026 | Service Brakes | Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. | |
| LI82.62-P-078631 Sep 2026 | Structure | Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. | |
| LI82.62-P-078631 Aug 2026 | Structure | Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. | |
| LI35.30-P-058566 Jul 2026 | Power Train | Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI82.30-P-059239 May 2026 | Visibility/Wiper | Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During the downward movement water is pulled back onto the... | |
| LI82.10-P-078301 Apr 2026 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078301 Mar 2026 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078307 Feb 2026 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078896 Feb 2026 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI83.30-P-079850 Jan 2026 | Visibility/Wiper | Complaint Customer states the AC either does not cool/has poor performance or heat is insufficient. Cause Many possible root causes Remedy AC Diagnosis (General) Initial Steps Verify Customer Concern • Confirm the issue reported by the customer. | |
| LI33.30-P-056665 Nov 2025 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). | |
| LI33.30-P-056665 May 2025 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). | |
| LI82.10-P-078301 Apr 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078896 Apr 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI83.20-P-051802 Apr 2025 | Engine | Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant flow in the heater heat exchanger (see picture). | |
| LI82.70-P-077433 Mar 2025 | Electrical System | Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. | |
| LI35.30-P-058566 Jan 2025 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. | |
| LI82.35-P-078467 Oct 2024 | Structure | Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. | |
| LI82.70-P-077433 Sep 2024 | Electrical System | Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. | |
| LI82.10-P-078307 Sep 2024 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078301 Sep 2024 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. | |
| LI82.10-P-078302 Sep 2024 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps fogged or droplets forming. Cause Due to its outlet openings, the headlamp is an "open system". This means that acidic gases, moisture, dirt and exhaust gases can penetrate into the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078069 Jul 2024 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. | |
| LI91.18-P-077075 Dec 2023 | Seats | Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ⢠Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat cushion (e.g. seat belt buckle). | |
| LI42.47-P-067502 Dec 2020 | Service Brakes | If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit | |
| LI54.65-P-072065 Dec 2020 | Electrical System | Unmotivated Reaction from Park Assist - model series 213 facelift / 238 facelift with option code 235 (active par- king assist) and option code 501 (surround view system) | |
| LI27.50-P-071658 Sep 2020 | Power Train | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R | |
| LI27.50-P-049281 Sep 2020 | Power Train | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D | |
| LI32.22-P-071495 Jul 2020 | Electrical System | AIRMATIC Fault Message "Max 80 km/ h (50 mph) " In Instrument Cluster | |
| CL- SBC Hydraulic Unit Aug 2018 | Service Brakes | The purpose of this letter is to advise you of additional benefits that Mercedes-Benz is providing to you regarding your vehicle ownership. | |
| LI91 45-P-066075 Jul 2018 | Seat Belts | Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises | |
| LI54 30-P-068430 Jul 2018 | Suspension | Display of suspension setting in head unit implausible | |
| LI72 20-P-068322 Jul 2018 | Structure | Liftgate intermittently does not open fully | |
| LI05 20-P-067123 Oct 2017 | Engine | Oil in engine wiring harness | |
| LI8210P0647661 Aug 2016 | Exterior Lighting | Headlamps fogged. | |
| Reporting Apr 2016 | Equipment | Enclosed for your information and pursuant to part 579.5, please find our latest Service and Warranty Bulletins for March, 2016 | |
| LI07.08-P-060993 Mar 2015 | Engine | Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor" | |
| CL- Fuel Components Jan 2015 | Fuel/Propulsion System | In our continuing efforts to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has decided to extend the warranty for certain fuel tank components in certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles. | |
| LI82.70-P-060004 Oct 2014 | Equipment | iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8 | |
| LI27.00-P-051451 Jul 2014 | Power Train | Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS) | |
| LI91.10-P-048497 Jul 2014 | Structure | Noise complaints when load on backrest frame changes. Affects the driver and front passenger seats. Also perform the remedial action if you are performing work on: - backrest frame - backrest cover or - guide rail of head restraint. | |
| LI91.10-P-059386 Jul 2014 | Seats | Dynamic seat control is not functioning correctly and/or air cushions do not inflate fully. | |
| LI27.55-P-058976 Jul 2014 | Power Train | Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant. | |
| LI91.10-P-059373 Jul 2014 | Seats | Possible complaints: 1. Memory function of electric seat fore/aft adjustment not functioning. 2. Seat fore/aft adjustment with easy entry/exit feature not functioning. 3. Head restraint presetting not functioning. 4. | |
| LI91.29-P-050932 Jul 2014 | Seats | The controls on the partially electric seat adjustment switch stick or are loose or broken. | |
| LI91.10-P-048498 Jul 2014 | Seats | Noises from area of seat adjuster or cushion frame. | |
| LI91.10-P-048500 Jul 2014 | Air Bags | Rubbing noises arise between the covering and cover of the sidebag | |
| LI91.10-P-048501 Jul 2014 | Seats | Rubbing noises at the point at which the covering rubs against the cover. Only occurs on vehicles with the sport package . | |
| LI68.05-P-059193 Jun 2014 | Equipment | SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink | |
| LI65.00-P-059054 May 2014 | Structure | AIRCAP functions excessively | |
| LI05.10-P-058758 Mar 2014 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Noise: A rattling noise may be heard from the area of the chain drive for approx. 2-5 seconds after engine start. And/or: Fault code entries in engine control unit: SIM271DE20: P001177 The position of the intake camshaft (cylinder bank 1) deviates from the specified value. | |
| LI82.85-P-058582 Mar 2014 | Equipment | Apple products (iPhone or iPod) are not charged via the serial USB interface of the COMAND Online control unit (A40/3) in the stowage compartment of the center console. | |
| LI27.00-P-056643 Feb 2014 | Power Train | During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced. | |
| LI46.10-P-057961 Feb 2014 | Steering | Surface damage on steering wheel trim | |
| C1A140101 Feb 2014 | Equipment | This Customer 1 Action has been initiated because certain mbrace subscribers were recently contacted by mbrace informing them that they need to have an i-button call performed to ensure their mbrace device has registered with the Verizon Telematics systems. | |
| GI88.40-P-057430 Feb 2014 | Equipment | Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual" | |
| LI8270P055572 Aug 2013 | Electrical System | Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely. | |
| LI82.10-P-054588 Jun 2013 | Exterior Lighting | Xenon burner inoperative or flickers | |
| LI91-40-P-047183 Apr 2012 | Seat Belts | MERCEDES: SEAT BELTS, EMERGENCY TENSIONING RETRACTORS. MODEL SERIES 204 (WITH CODES 299 AND 800), 207, 212. SEAT BELT CAN ONLY BE PULLED OUT WITH GREAT EFFORT. AT THE SAME TIME A NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE REVERSIBLE REEL TENSIONER GEARING. |
Showing 60 of 77 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask the dealer whether the warranty extension on file still applies to this VIN.The manufacturer issued 1 warranty extension for this vehicle (see the service bulletins section). Extended coverage often runs by years or miles from the original sale, and a repair the seller paid for may have been free.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Mercedes-Benz E500 →