What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Air bags are the most named group with 140 of 284 complaints. In a small sample we read, owners also describe air suspension sagging, fuel smell after filling and rear subframe rust.

Does the 2011 E-Class have any recalls?

Yes, five are on file: four air bag recalls and one fuel filter recall. Each recall covers only certain models.

How many miles per gallon does a 2011 E-Class get?

EPA combined ratings run from 20 MPG for the rear-wheel-drive E350 to 15 MPG for the E63 AMG.

Is the 2011 E-Class a reliable car?

Our data does not include reliability scores. NHTSA has 284 owner complaints and 5 recalls for this year.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Problems, Recalls, MPG

NHTSA has 284 owner complaints on file for the 2011 E-Class, and air bags are the most named part^[1]^[2]. Five recalls are on file, so check each one against your car before you buy or keep it^[3].

284owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

15–20MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 284 owner complaints for this model year^[1]. Twelve mention a crash, 3 a fire and 9 an injury^[1]. No deaths are reported^[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Here are the component groups with the most complaints:

Component group	Complaints
Air bags^[2]	140
Suspension^[5]	37
Fuel/propulsion system^[6]	30
Unknown or other^[7]	21
Structure^[8]	16
Brakes^[9]	16
Engine^[10]	15
Steering^[11]	11

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. It is too small to say how common anything is, but it shows what owners describe.

Air bags. Owners describe waiting for parts for the inflator recalls and being worried about driving in the meantime. This showed up in 9 of the 12 texts we read^[2]. The air bag group has 7 crashes and 6 injuries in its complaints^[2].
Suspension. All 12 texts we read^[5] describe an air suspension that leaks or sags, so the car sits low or leans to one side^[5]. Some say a warning tells them to stop driving^[5].
Fuel system. In 10 of the 12 texts, owners describe a strong gasoline smell or a fuel leak, often after filling the tank^[6]. See the fuel filter recall below, which covers only some cars.
Structure. In 6 of the 12 texts we read^[8], owners describe rust or corrosion on the rear subframe. A few say it fractured or that they lost control of the car^[8]. The median mileage in this group is 95,000^[8].

Brakes, engine and steering each have 16 or fewer complaints^[9]^[10]^[11]. With counts that low, we do not call them common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year^[3]. Each recall names the models it covers, so confirm yours with Mercedes-Benz USA or a dealer. Newest first:

Wrong passenger air bag (21V638). Recalled in August 2021. The wrong front passenger air bag may have been put in the car when it was repaired before. It may not work properly in a crash, which raises the risk of injury. Dealers replace the air bag for free. It lists 2011 to 2014 E350 Coupe models and covers 205 vehicles^[12].
Passenger air bag inflator (19V010). Recalled in January 2019. The inflator can explode after long exposure to humidity and temperature swings, and metal fragments could cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the passenger air bag module for free. The recall began March 29, 2019^[13]. It lists 2011 E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio and E550 Coupe models, depending on where the car has been registered^[13].
Remedy pending
Passenger air bag inflator (16V363). Recalled in May 2016. The inflator can rupture and send metal fragments at occupants, with a risk of serious injury or death. It lists 2011 E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible models sold or registered in the recall's "Zone A" states^[14]. The remedy is not yet available. Owners got an interim notice in October 2016 and are to get a second notice when parts are ready^[14].
Driver air bag inflator (16V081). Recalled in February 2016. The driver inflator can rupture from excess pressure, sending metal fragments at the driver or others. Dealers replace the driver air bag module for free. The recall began in November 2016. It lists 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet models, plus other 2010 to 2011 E-Class versions^[15].
Fuel filter flange (12V557). Recalled in December 2012. The fuel filter flange can crack in high heat and leak fuel, which could cause a fire if something ignites it. Dealers replace the fuel filter for free. It covers 5,800 vehicles, including 2011 to 2012 E350 models built from April 18 to July 12, 2011^[16]. At least one owner in our complaint sample says the car was not included in this recall^[6].

Fuel economy

Every version rated below takes premium fuel and uses an automatic 7-speed^[17]^[18]. EPA ratings by version (city / highway / combined MPG), with EPA's estimated annual fuel cost:

Version	MPG	Annual fuel cost
E350 (rear-wheel drive)^[17]	17 / 25 / 20	$4,100
E350 Coupe^[19]	17 / 26 / 20	$4,100
E350 Convertible^[4]	17 / 25 / 20	$4,100
E350 4matic^[20]	17 / 24 / 19	$4,350
E350 4matic wagon^[21]	16 / 23 / 19	$4,350
E550^[22]	15 / 23 / 18	$4,550
E550 Coupe^[23]	15 / 23 / 18	$4,550
E550 4matic^[24]	15 / 23 / 18	$4,550
E550 Convertible^[25]	15 / 22 / 17	$4,850
E63 AMG^[18]	13 / 20 / 15	$5,500

The gap between the best and worst version is 5 MPG combined, or about $1,400 a year in fuel^[17]^[18].

Engine and size

EPA's test car list shows these engines for the 2011 E-Class:

3.0L 6-cylinder: 210 hp^[26]
3.5L 6-cylinder: 268 hp^[27]
5.5L 8-cylinder: 268 to 382 hp depending on version^[28]
6.3L 8-cylinder: 518 hp^[29]

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each E-Class model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	123	1
1996	62	1
1997	114	1
1998	78	0
1999	130	1
2000	97	0
2001	74	0
2002	36	0
2003	391	7
2004	370	7
2005	395	6
2006	503	5
2007	405	5
2008	204	4
2009	79	4
2010	252	5
2011	284	5
2012	234	7
2013	182	7
2014	295	8
2015	48	8
2016	87	9
2017	161	20
2018	58	15
2019	34	9
2020	11	9
2021	13	12
2022	9	3
2023	6	3
2024	10	5
2025	6	2
2026	6	1

Complaints and recalls on file for nearby years^[3]:

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2010	252	5
2011	284	5
2012	234	7
2013	182	7
2014	295	8

Among 2008 to 2014, only 2014 has more complaints than 2011^[3]. The 2003 to 2007 years all have more, with 2006 at 503^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where problems were reported, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2011 E-Class?

NHTSA reports no deaths among the 284 complaints^[1]. The air bag recalls matter most, because the inflator recalls warn of serious injury or death^[13]^[14]^[15]. Ask for proof that each recall that applies to the exact car has been completed, and note that the 16V363 remedy is not yet available^[14]. In the complaint sample we read, air suspension sagging, fuel odor after filling and rear subframe rust came up, so have a mechanic check those areas^[5]^[6]^[8]. Fuel cost varies by version, from $4,100 to $5,500 a year^[17]^[18].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?: Air bags are the most named group with 140 of 284 complaints^[1]^[2]. In a small sample we read, owners also describe air suspension sagging, fuel smell after filling and rear subframe rust^[5]^[6]^[8].
Does the 2011 E-Class have any recalls?: Yes, five are on file: four air bag recalls and one fuel filter recall^[3]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]. Each recall covers only certain models.
How many miles per gallon does a 2011 E-Class get?: EPA combined ratings run from 20 MPG for the rear-wheel-drive E350 to 15 MPG for the E63 AMG^[17]^[18].
Is the 2011 E-Class a reliable car?: Our data does not include reliability scores. NHTSA has 284 owner complaints and 5 recalls for this year^[1]^[3].
How does 2011 compare with other E-Class years?: Among 2008 to 2014, only 2014 has more complaints than 2011's 284^[3].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 284 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (12 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
140 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz E-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for E350 Convertible, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
37 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,500). NHTSA vehicle records
30 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,200). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,500). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V638, filed August 13, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V010, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V363, filed May 26, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V081, filed February 11, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V557, filed December 3, 2012: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for E350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E63 AMG, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 20 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E350 Coupe, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E350 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E350 4matic (wagon), 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E550, 5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E550 Coupe, 5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for E550 Convertible, 5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 210 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 268 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 5.5L 8-cylinder: rated 268 to 382 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 6.3L 8-cylinder: rated 518 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: problems, recalls and fuel economy