2008
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Change Vehicle

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The Mercedes-Benz E350 is a delight to drive. It feels reassuringly solid and offers an inviting blend of luxury and practicality. The E350 provides excellent ride comfort and agile handling, along with a beautifully constructed and roomy interior featuring supportive seats as well as good outward visibility. Still though, we found some controls to be overly complicated.
Alerts
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2008
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver NA
IIHS Side Crash Acceptable
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit,
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
2005
NA
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS standard. Rear side and head protection air bags standard from 2000. ESC standard from 2000.
Road Test

The Mercedes-Benz E350 is a delight to drive. It feels reassuringly solid and offers an inviting blend of luxury and practicality. The E350 provides excellent ride comfort and agile handling, along with a beautifully constructed and roomy interior featuring supportive seats as well as good outward visibility. Still though, we found some controls to be overly complicated.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
AWD , Rear
Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
wagon
sedan
Transmissions Available
  • 7-speed Automatic
  • 5-speed Automatic
Engines Available
  • 3-liter V6 turbodiesel (210 hp)
  • 3.5-liter V6 (268 hp)
  • 5.5-liter V8 (382 hp)
  • 6.3-liter V8 (507 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Alignment

"Alignment has too much camber and is at end of adjustment. Mercedes has supplied a kit ( longer bolts) to add more adjustment but still cannot set camber within specs. Left front tire needs to be replaced twice as often as rest of tires. Obviously a design flaw that Mercedes will not admit to"

B D., ON (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

"One of the rear air shocks developed a hole. I decided to replace both rear shocks with coil springs, but after a few months I was not satisfied with them so I returned to the air shocks"

Richard W., LA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)
Power steering leaks

"The leaks are not visible until major repairs are needed. Not sure if it is the car or the dealer"

Deborah F., CA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350)
Shocks or struts

"Original struts collapsed. Replacement factory struts (twice) not as good.. Ride is not as good as original struts"

Anonymous, PA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

"Tires are not the same size front to back, wear is always off and tires are needed to be replaced about 20000 miles"

Deborah F., CA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350)
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Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

"I've had to replace the bulbs in some of the small marker lights a number of times now"

Benjamin M., PA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 BLUETEC 3.0-L V6 diesel)
Heated or cooled seats

"Drivers seat seat heater failed and burnt a hole in the seat"

Anonymous, CA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)
Keyless entry

"Wire harness in trunk is poorly designed, it is attached to a hinge. It wore through and cut the power to the trunk release and rear lights. There are several you tube videos shoewing this issue"

Anonymous, CA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

"I should be able to lock and unlock the doors through use of the handles. A couple of the handles were not working properly. I had them serviced, and they worked well for awhile but then became inoperable again"

Richard W., LA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

"Needed to replace water hose, which was leaking on belt which made a squeak when the car was first started"

Anonymous, VA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)
Squeaks or rattles

"Rattling sounds coming from dashboard"

Anonymous, NJ (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

"Dash housing containing speedometer & instruments rattles over the smallest bumps. Brought to dealership once but problem not rectified. Unacceptable for such an expensive vehicle"

B D., ON (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"At 200000 the transmission and torque converter started to stagger. This had hapened on my last E type mercedes at around the same mileage. I had them replaced"

Daniel C., MA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

"Rough transition from 1-3rd gears. Transmission needs replacing, but hasn't been done. Car rides rough from 10=45 mph"

Charles O., TX (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

"Some electronic module inside the transmission failed. Was able to import the part from Germany and have the transmission repaired. Planetary gear assembly bushing break caused the control board to short. The Mercedes dealer wanted to replace the transmission for $8000 but would not repair it nor sell us the part. Shitty service"

Anonymous, GA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

What Owners Say

Emission control devices (includes EGR)

"etest failure due to particulate ash problems and Mercedes wants $3500 for the part. Looking to local mechanic to resolve for under $1200.00"

John B., ON (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 BLUETEC 3.0-L V6 diesel)
Sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor)

"Replaced five or six O2 sensors in the last two years, several in the same location"

Anonymous, IL (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 BLUETEC 3.0-L V6 diesel)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Fuel leaks

"Fuel filter under back seat that leaks and is dangerous with fuel in csbin"

Jonathan P., FL (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

What Owners Say

Turbo or supercharger

"Loss of power diagnosed as the vehicle (Diesel engine) turbo charger malfunction; needed replacement"

Richard R., TX (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 BLUETEC 3.0-L V6 diesel)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

What Owners Say

Transmission computer

"See previous comment"

Anonymous, GA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Blower (fan) motor

"blower fan motor failed, needed replacement"

Anonymous, NV (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"Nav system stopped working - screen is blank except for a searching for signal indicator. Dealer and an independent mechanic both estimate $300 + to repair"

Carlton C., FL (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 BLUETEC 3.0-L V6 diesel)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Differential

"Replace bushings"

Anonymous, CA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

What Owners Say

Thermostat

"Replaced original thermostat"

Francis H., VA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 3.5-L V6)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

"see comments under brakes"

Anonymous, CA (2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 BLUETEC 3.0-L V6 diesel)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

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