Recall 12V264 covers 3,613 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagons for a rear-suspension connecting-rod failure. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 3,613 2007-2009 E350 4MATIC wagon vehicles because a connecting rod in the load-leveling rear suspension system can fail. If the rod fails, vehicle control is reduced and crash risk rises; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the repair free of charge once it is available.
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What's wrong?
The load-leveling rear suspension on the 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon helps keep the back of the vehicle at the correct ride height when passengers or cargo add weight. A connecting rod is one of the small mechanical links in that system. It transfers suspension movement so the system can sense and control rear height.
In affected wagons, that connecting rod can fail. When the rod breaks or separates, the rear suspension loses that link and the load-leveling system no longer has the same control over rear ride height. The vehicle can sit or respond differently at the rear, especially when carrying weight.
There is no warning sign before failure in the recall information. That means an owner should not rely on a sound, light, or handling change to predict the break.
Who's affected?
The same rear suspension component appears across all three model years.
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz E350 | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 3,613 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and avoid unnecessary driving until a Mercedes-Benz dealer inspects the vehicle. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask about the free rear suspension connecting-rod replacement that addresses reduced vehicle control from a failed load-leveling suspension rod.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V264 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions before driving the wagon in for service.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and avoid carrying heavy rear cargo when possible.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces all connecting rods in the load leveling rear suspension system. The work addresses the rod failure described in recall 12V264 and is handled as a recall repair, so parts and labor are covered once the dealer remedy is available for your VIN. Ask the service desk to confirm the open recall before the appointment and to note that the repair involves the rear suspension connecting rods.
Timeline
| June 12, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 7, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V264?
Recall 12V264 covers 3,613 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC wagons with a rear load-leveling suspension connecting rod that can fail. If it fails, the driver can have reduced vehicle control, increasing crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the connecting rods for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific wagon is included in recall 12V264. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule replacement of the rear suspension connecting rods. Reference recall number 12V264 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the affected rear suspension connecting rods free of charge. Mercedes-Benz also lists customer support at 1-800-367-6372 for owners with recall questions.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced vehicle control if a rear load-leveling suspension connecting rod fails. That failure can increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair before relying on the wagon for regular driving.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz E350 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 12V264.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V264000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V264 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V264000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →