The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 888,687 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
AIR BAGS17V0170002017-01-10104,119 affected
Defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever…
Consequence
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at…
AIR BAGS12V4920002012-10-09499 affected
Defect
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 E350 and E550 Coupe vehicles, manufactured April 2, 2012, through June 29, 2012. Improper stitching of the right side window curtain air bag may cause it to not deploy as intended in the affected vehicles.
Consequence
In the event of an accident necessitating the deployment of the right window curtain air bag, the improper stitching may cause it to deflate more quickly than intended, reducing the protection it may provide, resulting in an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right side window curtain air bag. The recall began on December 21, 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
STEERING
4
SEAT BELTS
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
1crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION
1
WHEELS
1
Total complaints22
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz e550. The contact stated that while occupying the vehicle while the vehicle was parked, the ignition switch failed to detect the key fob. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electric steering rack had failed and…”
“The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz e550. The contact stated that while occupying the vehicle while the vehicle was parked, the ignition switch failed to detect the key fob. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electric steering rack had failed and…”
“The contact owned a 2012 mercedes-benz e550. The contact stated while her husband was driving 20-25 mph and making a right turn, the brake pedal was depressed but traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's husband stood on the brake pedal; however, the…”
“The electronic steering lock (esl) will fail and cause the vehicle to become disabled. The failure of this part will leave the owner strained and unable to use any functions of the car. You can’t even put the vehicle into neutral to move the vehicle. Everything is locked. There have been…”
“The electronic steering lock (esl) will fail and cause the vehicle to become disabled. The failure of this part will leave the owner strained and unable to use any functions of the car. You can’t even put the vehicle into neutral to move the vehicle. Everything is locked. There have been…”
“The contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz e550. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the fuel sender unit was cracked, and that fuel was…”
“My car will not start and I get a message stating "remove key from ignition" every time I insert the key to try to start the car. It appears that the esl has failed. I have visited several mb forums and it appears that this is a common issue, regardless of car mileage. This is a factory defect…”
“My car will not start and I get a message stating "remove key from ignition" every time I insert the key to try to start the car. It appears that the esl has failed. I have visited several mb forums and it appears that this is a common issue, regardless of car mileage. This is a factory defect…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP20004 Opened 2020-04-24 · closed 2020-10-09
Rear brake line failure
On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had…
InvestigationDP20004 Opened 2020-04-24 · closed 2020-10-09
Rear brake line failure
On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had…
InvestigationDP20004 Opened 2020-04-24 · closed 2020-10-09
Rear brake line failure
On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had…
InvestigationDP20004 Opened 2020-04-24 · closed 2020-10-09
Rear brake line failure
On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.