2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550

Dealer reports that, in addition to the dangerous corrosion on rear subframe covered by the extended warranty program, the rear brake lines are dangerously corroded and may fail at any time. I inquired about how this is even possible as I am accustomed to vehicles with cupronickel brake lines that do not corrode. I was told they are merely enameled steel on this model and prone to premature corrosion where they are mounted to the chassis with plastic clips that wear off the enamel and allow premature corrosion and eventually catastrophic failure. I was also told the replacement parts are now cupronickel, indicating Mercedes understands the original design was defective. I believe this should have been covered under the same program as the rear subframe, not be used as an upsell tool to customers affected by that issue. I also believe steel brake lines should just be banned outright for all vehicles, the risk of rupture due to corrosion leading to brake failure is far too high.

Both driver and front passenger headrest airbags have deployed for no cause. This is is the second time this has occurred on both sides. No collision occurred in both incidents. First time it occurred under warranty and Mercedes fixed the issue. This time it occurred again and the car is not in warranty. Without functional headrest airbags the safety is greatly compromised for the occupants of the car and can lead to fatal incidents. It seems like a recurring problem with this model as it has occurred twice over 9+ years and both times there was no collision etc.

I was driving in the Dallas area at highway speed (approx 70mph) during rush-hour traffic when a crackling sound presented in the dashboard area from what appeared to be the sound system (Harmon Kardon surround system). This was immediately followed by the unmistakable smell of burning plastic or something similar. Smoke coming from the center speaker in the dashboard followed subjecting car occupants to potentially hazardous smoke and chemicals resulting from the fire.All signs suggested an electrical fire which was alarming considering this occurred at highway speed. Turning off the sound system did not stop the issue. My safety and that of others on the highway were put at risk because a fire of unknown origin occurred while driving at highway speeds. No accident occurred. Further exploration of the issue from a safe area off of the highway confirmed the following: 1) possible electrical fire emanating from the center speaker of the dashboard 2) center speaker was damaged and appeared melted 3) the only way to stop the fire was to remove the fuse powering the sound amplifier which allowed the car to be driven to the local Mercedes Benz dealer/repair center The car was inspected by the local Mercedes Benz dealer who confirmed: 1) the center speaker was damaged and not repairable 2) the cause of the problem was a "shorted" and otherwise faulty amplifier. 3) the cost to replace the speaker estimated over $400 4) the cost to replace the amplifier estimated over $2700 There are no safety recalls on this particular issue. However, an investigation of the matter on NHTSA and Mercedes Benz user groups has identified numerous occurrences of a similar nature in the 2014 "e" class vehicles. The amplifier, which was confirmed to be the cause of the fire, would appear to have a documentable and reproduceable fault which: 1) presents a safety hazard to owners/drivers of the vehicle, 2) puts other drivers as risk drivers, 3) subjects vehicle occupants to hazardous fumes

TL* TAKATA RECALL- THE CONTACT OWNS A2014 MERCEDES BENZ E550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 19V01000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTHLAKE (10725 NORTHLAKE AUTO PLAZA BLVD, CHARLOTTE NC) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPEAKER AND WINDOW BEGAN TO SMOKE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL RUBBER AND BURNING ODOR AND A CRACKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF DENVER (940 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO 80246, (303) 953-4581), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,950.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). MERCEDES-BENZ OF SEATTLE (2025 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134, (206) 467-9999) WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY AND PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). MERCEDES-BENZ OF HUNT VALLEY (9800 YORK RD #2, COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030, 1-(410) 306-7080) WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY AND PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS (3300 JAMBOREE RD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660, (949) 718-3000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.