I own a 2014 E350 mercedes benz the transmission was recalled a while back but long story short my car has all the same exact problems a lot of e350 owners are having with the conductor plate witch causes rough shifts between 1st and 3rd gear car went to Mercedes’ for more testing now I’ve got a 13000 dollar estimate and problem is even though the vin doesn’t show it was recalled for that reason…
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class powertrain problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2014 E-Class owners report widespread powertrain issues including shift lever failures, rough transmission shifting, mount failures, and engine misfire—many unresolved despite multiple dealer visits and recall history. Multiple owners describe dangerous safety situations and cite common problems Mercedes refuses to address under warranty.
Owners of 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles report a cluster of serious powertrain failures. The most common is transmission-related: rough, jerky shifts between gears (especially 3rd–4th), with some describing slippage or complete failure to engage selected gears. One owner cites a steering column shift lever that intermittently refuses to move the vehicle into the selected gear despite shifter movement—a hazard Mercedes addressed in recall Campaign 2017020018 (though applicability to 2014 models is unclear from the narratives).
Motor and transmission mounts fail repeatedly, sometimes within 13,000–16,000 miles of replacement, creating dangerous vibration. One owner reports a $13,000 repair estimate for a conductor plate defect causing rough 1st–3rd gear shifts.
Additional powertrain failures include a transmission requiring replacement at 85,000 miles after abnormal engine noise, a transfer case failure at 40,000 miles, and a rear axle frame crack at 120,000 miles. One owner reports engine misfire and jerky operation tied to oil leaks from the transmission wiring harness and ECM connector—mirroring a 2009–2012 recall (Campaign 2009100001) despite owning a 2014 model.
Most concerning: owners report multiple dealer visits without resolution, with Mercedes claiming some issues are "performing as designed" and refusing warranty assistance on what they characterize as known, widespread defects.
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Shift lever module inoperative / gear selection failure
Steering column shift lever fails to engage selected gear. Vehicle remains in previous gear despite shifter movement. Related to internal circuit board damage in column-mounted shift lever module.
When: 37,800–85,000 miles; intermittent occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter moves but vehicle stays in prior gear (reverse stays engaged when shifted to drive, or vice versa); No warning lights illuminated; Intermittent nature—may occur multiple times daily or not for weeks
Repairs/costs cited: Steering Column Module replacement required; not completed on some vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes recall Campaign No. 2017020018 (Note: this recall targets 213 platform E-Class, applicability to 2014 model unclear from narrative); Case numbers issued but some vehicles not repaired
Rough and unpredictable transmission shifting
Transmission exhibits abrupt, rough shifts and delayed/excessive acceleration response. Shifts between 3rd–4th gear are notably jerky. Problem occurs at random intervals and speeds, making diagnosis difficult. Particularly hazardous during highway passing or emergency maneuvers.
When: Low mileage through 60,000+ miles; intermittent across speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Rough/jerky shifts, especially 3rd to 4th and 4th to 3rd; Long delay before acceleration kicks in, then acceleration exceeds pedal input; Random onset at unpredictable speeds; Vehicle occasionally responds normally to accelerator input
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits; no repair completed on reported vehicle
Transmission and radiator failure with abnormal noise
Engine produces abnormal bumping noise without warning. Diagnosis indicates transmission and radiator require replacement. No visible leaks noted.
When: 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal bumping noise from engine at 60 mph; No visible leaks
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission and radiator replacement needed; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer Case number issued; stated they would investigate; no further assistance provided
Transmission conductor plate defect causing rough shifts
Conductor plate internal failure causes rough shifts between 1st and 3rd gear. Described as a widespread issue among 2014 E350 owners despite not appearing on individual VIN recall records.
When: 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough shifts between 1st and 3rd gear
Repairs/costs cited: $13,000 repair estimate reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission previously recalled; issue persists despite recall; vehicle VIN does not show recall applicability though same problems reported across multiple E350 models
Motor and transmission mount failure
Motor mounts and transmission mounts fail repeatedly at short intervals. Vibration from failed transmission mounts is severe and causes safety concern.
When: 13,000 and 16,000 miles on replacement parts; recurring failure pattern
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission vibration described as scary; Repeated mount failure requiring multiple replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission mounts replaced multiple times; Mercedes refuses to install new unit after second failure at 16,000 miles on previous replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: MBUSA declined further assistance, citing substandard parts; issue flagged as very well-known
Transmission slip in 3rd and 4th gear
Transmission exhibits slippage when engaged in 3rd and 4th gear. Dealer acknowledged as common problem but stated nothing is mechanically wrong.
When: 57,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slip in 3rd and 4th gear; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership found no mechanical fault; issue unresolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated known common problem
Transmission jerking on 3–4 gear upshift
Abrupt jerking motion during 3rd to 4th gear upshift. Creates vehicle instability on wet or slick surfaces, increasing crash and injury risk. Particularly dangerous in stop-and-go traffic.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking during 3–4 gear upshift; Vehicle instability on wet/slick roads
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes claims performing as designed; denying liability
Rear axle frame crack
Rear axle frame develops crack during normal driving, creating dangerous instability and flipping risk. Vehicle deemed undrivable after failure.
When: 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear axle frame crack; Sensation of vehicle about to flip over; Vehicle undrivable
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosis; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed vehicle not included in related TSB; owner referred to NHTSA
Engine misfire and jerky operation from transmission oil leak
Oil leaks from transmission wiring harness and ECM connector onto camshaft hall sensors and transmission drain plug, causing severe engine misfire and jerky drivability. Owner reports issue mirrors previous 2009–2012 recall (Campaign 2009100001) despite owning 2014 model.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Severe engine misfire; Jerky operation as if engine will stall on freeway; Safety risk
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis cost $218 at Mercedes dealer in Pleasanton, CA
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issue mirrors previous recall 2009100001 (2009–2012 models) but 2014 model apparently not included
Transfer case failure
Transfer case fails, causing abnormal shaking during acceleration. Dealer investigation inconclusive but suspected transmission relationship.
When: 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal shaking when accelerating; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by independent mechanic as transfer case failure; dealer did not diagnose or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failure
Rear end shake / vibration
Persistent rear end shake present from new. Dealer replaced rear tires, then front tires, but shake continues. Dealer attributes to 'road feel' from low-profile tires despite owner dispute.
When: Present from new; persistent through multiple tire replacements
Symptoms owners cite: Rear end shake; Continued after all four tire replacements
Repairs/costs cited: All four tires replaced at dealer; shake persists unresolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer blamed road feel from low-profile tires
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 powertrain problem on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 67,960 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2014/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.