Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-benz e350. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle leaked fuel from the top of the fuel filter into the back seat of the vehicle. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact called Mercedes-benz of ontario at 909-212-8400 (located at 3787 e guasti rd, ontario, ca 91761), but did not receive a return call. The…
2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 15 engine complaints filed for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class report a range of engine failures across the model's lifespan, from 45,000 to 160,000 miles. Stalling and jerking during low-speed driving appears frequently—occurring at traffic lights and low speeds, sometimes followed by check-engine lights. Several owners describe the engine shaking abnormally at highway speeds (30 mph) with smoking from the engine compartment and abnormal odors, though dealer inspection found no visible failure in one case.
Fuel system issues include fuel leaking from the top of the fuel filter into the vehicle interior and fuel tank seal failure after refueling. Engine components show premature wear: camshafts wearing out around 100,000 to 127,000 miles (preventing smog certification), a fractured harmonic balancer at 145,000 miles that disabled power steering and braking, and a faulty balance shaft preventing engine start. Oil cooler seal failure caused catastrophic oil leaks; Mercedes-Benz service noted the original orange rubber seals were redesigned to purple Viton material for safety.
Check-engine lights are common, with diagnostic codes pointing to intake manifold runner control stuck closed (P2006), camshaft position timing over-retarded (P0015), failed crank sensors, and bad valve body/conductor plates. One owner noted their VIN wasn't included in recall campaign 08V006000. Repair costs mentioned include $4,000–$6,000 for camshaft replacement. Most failures were not repaired by owners."
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling and jerking at low speeds
Engine stalls in jerking motions, primarily at traffic lights and speeds below 20 mph, sometimes followed by high RPM and poor power delivery.
When: 45,000 miles; intermittent occurrence during low-speed driving
Symptoms owners cite: stalling in jerky motions; high RPM with poor power delivery; multiple stall events
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle at dealer service; owner suspected transmission issue
Engine shaking and smoking
Abnormal vibration at highway speeds accompanied by smoking from engine compartment and white smoke from exhaust; one incident without visible failure upon inspection.
When: 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal shaking; smoke from engine compartment; white smoke from exhaust; abnormal odor
Repairs/costs cited: One case required turbo valve and exhaust system replacement; another case not repaired
Fuel filter and fuel tank leaks
Fuel leaking from top of fuel filter into vehicle interior and fuel tank seal failure following refueling.
When: 90,000 miles (filter leak); 160,000 miles (tank leak)
Symptoms owners cite: fuel odor; liquid entering passenger compartment; fuel loss after refueling
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed; seal identified as broken at 160,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz Ontario did not return call; manufacturer stated no recall available
Harmonic balancer fracture
Harmonic balancer fractured without warning, causing serpentine belt detachment and loss of power steering and braking ability.
When: 145,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: power steering failure; brake failure; serpentine belt detachment
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic replaced bolt, harmonic balancer, and serpentine belt
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no recall issued
Camshaft wear
Camshaft wears out prematurely, illuminating check-engine light and preventing smog certification for registration renewal.
When: 100,000–127,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light; smog test failure; vehicle unable to start or run
Codes mentioned: P0015 (Camshaft Position B - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost approximately $4,000–$6,000; independent mechanics unable to repair one case
Oil cooler seal failure
Catastrophic oil leak from oil cooler seals; manufacturer redesigned original orange rubber seals to purple Viton material due to safety concern.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: catastrophic oil leak; oil odor
Repairs/costs cited: Original seals (orange rubber) replaced with Viton seals; deemed unsafe to drive until repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz service department confirmed seal redesign and safety advisory
Transmission shifting failure with engine symptoms
Transmission jerks when shifting first to second gear, then won't shift at all; requires restart to temporarily fix. Burning smell and smoke from engine when stuck in low gear.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: jerky shifting first to second; transmission won't shift; burning smell; smoke from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports it's an obvious transmission flaw and expensive to repair; similar issues reported online
Valve body and conductor plate failure
Vehicle stalled at highway speed (60 mph) with check-engine light; dealer diagnosis identified failed valve body and conductor plate requiring repair.
When: 142,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: stalling at highway speed; check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis indicated valve body and conductor plate replacement needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; appointment scheduled with Mercedes-Benz of Seattle
Intake manifold runner and camshaft timing fault
Instrument panel lights flashed, vehicle lost power temporarily, and check-engine light remained on; diagnostic codes indicate stuck intake manifold runner and retarded camshaft timing.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: instrument panel lights flashing; temporary power loss; check engine light
Codes mentioned: P2006 (Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Closed Bank 1), P0015 (Camshaft Position B - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1)
Balance shaft failure
Balance shaft failure prevents engine start; no warning light illuminated before failure.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: engine cranks but will not start; no warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic revealed bad balance shaft
Crank sensor and camshaft sprocket failure
Engine cranks but will not start; diagnostic revealed bad crank sensor and bad sprocket/camshaft.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: engine cranks but will not start
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic revealed bad crank sensor and sprocket/camshaft
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed engine failure. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V006000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…
Had engine trouble with your 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 91,000 and 142,000 miles, with the median around 120,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 91,000; a quarter make it past 142,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.