Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems
295 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Dealer notes: Replace rear brake lines, found to be rusty recommend replacement with rear subframe replacement. This is a very well known issue and is not covered under recall from manufacturer. It will cost $3200 for brake line repair alone, not including the subframe. This is…
As of mid december 2017, the Mercedes benz of white plains cailms the air bag issue is not resolved yet. Waiting on recall for a very long time so that airbags can be corrected
I have received a letter from Mercedes benz usa, dated december 2017, informing me (again) that the driver's side airbag is on recall, but that no part is yet available for replacement. I am to be notified when part becomes available. The problem is that I live on kaua'I and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 e350 Mercedes benz. The contact stated that the tail gate would unlatch and open sporadically and without warning. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 137 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,698 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 59,698 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz E-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 295 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.