Mercedes c350e hybrid problems are generally rare, but they could happen over time.
Hybrid models have undoubtedly been on the rise lately, especially because of higher demands for better-performance cars.
The combination of electric mode with the conventional internal combustion engine still shows great results in the field.
That is especially the case when it comes to being environmentally friendly, as hybrids effectively lessen the carbon emission into the atmosphere. Besides that, the added electric motor assists in achieving stronger performance as well.
One of the very sought-after hybrids is a Mercedes c350e plug-in hybrid. With lots of controversy around hybrids in general, there’s been a lot of different opinions on the Mercedes c350e.
Most Common Mercedes c350e Hybrid Problems
Like with any other car, there are always certain issues that need to be addressed. In this part of the article, we’ll review some of the most commonly reported issues with Mercedes c350e plug-in hybrids.
Even next to these common Mercedes c350e hybrid problems, this car is heavily praised among its users. Some of the pros of the Mercedes c350e include a comfortable interior, improved performance, and low cost for business users.
On the other side, these are some commonly reported issues:
- Electrical Issues
Possibly the most frequently reported with Mercedes c350e hybrids are electrical issues. Even though these electrical issues tend to be small-scale, they still tend to ruin the overall driving experience.
These issues involve:
- Phone Connectivity Issues
- GPS Issues
- Interior or Exterior Lighting Issues
- Freezing of the Infotainment Screen
Usually, these are technologies with the purpose of creating a better user experience. So, when they face electrical problems, the things on this list tend to become quite a nuisance. Luckily, in most cases, these are easily fixed.
- Excessive Vibrations
Because a Mercedes c350e has an active driving sensor, this feature can sometimes create excessive vibrations. Like any other feature, the active driving sensor can get worn, which is exactly what results in this problem.
Otherwise, the role of the active driving sensor would be to monitor the quality of driving. The excessive vibrations issue is easily resolved by a sensor replacement.
- MAF Sensor Issues
Similarly to the previous one, another sensor that can break down or misinterpret information is the mass airflow sensor.
A properly working mass flow sensor is used to determine the flow rate of air that enters an internal combustion engine. However, a bad mass flow sensor can cause issues while driving, such as:
- Hesitation during acceleration
- Engine jerking or
- Engine stalling
This issue is completely solved by replacing the MAF sensor.
- Camshaft Adjuster Selenoid Issues
An ‘oil control valve’ or a camshaft adjuster selenoid is known to fail prematurely in Mercedes. This valve is responsible for allowing adequate oil flow through the variable valve timing system. [1]
Some of the usual symptoms of a failed selenoid are:
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- Contaminated Engine Oil
- Rough Idling
Because this issue can be serious as it directly affects the engine, it’s best to repair it as soon as possible.
- Gearbox Issues
The purpose of the gearbox is to increase the output torque or change the speed of a motor. With the Mercedes c350e, there is a 7-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
This specific gearbox is known to usually perform perfectly. Despite that, there are issues with a faulty one, such as the inability to change gears, rough shifting, and similar.
Mercedes c350e Battery Life
Mercedes c350e uses a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with 25.4kWh. Because Mercedes is among the first brands that produced hybrids, you can trust that they also worked on developing this technology.
The first C-class plug-in electric vehicle used a 6.2kWh battery. For comparison, the next one had 13.5kWh of energy storage.
At 25.4kWh of energy storage, the battery of a Mercedes c350e is often compared with the one of a BMW, which has 22kWh. This comparison alone shows you how developed a Mercedes c350e battery is.
Other than that, it’s fair to mention that this battery is packed within its own protection system. This system sits at the rear of the car with the battery itself.
Despite being advanced and protected, it somehow manages to avoid the ‘stepped floor’ – or at least the last generation does.
But even a battery with a total capacity of 6.2kWh performs very well, as it’s water-cooled. It weighs around 220 pounds and is located in such a way that it maximizes the dynamics of driving and crash safety.
At a single-phase public charge point, this battery is charged via 230 volt/16 ampere 3.7 kW or a wall box in about 45 minutes. With a domestic power socket, the charging time is around two hours.
Mercedes c350e Hybrid Range
The Mercedes c350e has a 62 miles per hour range which is purely electric. That’s pretty impressive, as it puts a whole new C-class generation in a major advantage over other plug-in hybrids.
The EV mode of a Mercedes c350e has three stages of regeneration. Even though this may sound complicated at first, this model provides a great user experience when it comes to switching between those stages.
All of the three mentioned stages are easily controlled on the paddles on the steering wheel. Also, you can see the graphics of each stage in the multimedia displays.
The display provides you with all necessary EV ranges and energy consumption as well.
Other than that, the battery pack contains 96 pouch cells with their own internal cooling unit. This means that the energy can be recovered at 100kW or more.
Mercedes c350e Hybrid Mpg
A Mercedes c350e hybrid has a fuel consumption rating of 134.5 MPG. This is achieved with a 4-cylinder engine and with the help of an electric motor.
The new Mercedes c350e manages to produce 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. That’s because of a displacement of just under 67 ounces.
The impressive performance is achieved with a fast multi-spark ignition. The Mercedes c350e can offer up to 275 horsepower of total system output and 443 lb-ft of torque.
However, the engine itself is usually not what causes the problems in this hybrid. The Mercedes c350e Battery Problems are what is often discussed with this model instead.
These include gearbox issues, MAF sensor issues, excessive vibrations, and other electrical issues with some of the components.
Related: Audi E Tron Problems
Mercedes c350e Hybrid Battery Cost
There are a couple of reasons why you should consider changing the battery in your Mercedes c350e hybrid. Some of the more notable are:
- The car won’t start.
- The battery warning light is on.
- Some other components are not working.
If your car doesn’t start, it’s possible that the cranking amps fell beneath the critical threshold. What this means is that the battery probably aged, so the supplied amps are lower than the original rating.
Once this happens, the battery simply needs to be replaced, as it would be nearly impossible to
start your car.
The battery for a Mercedes c350e costs from $9,250 to $11,500. For UK buyers, the battery of a Mercedes c350e is around £200 per kWh – that is approximately £1,240 without counting the battery cooling system.
Secondly, if you notice that the battery charging system is illuminated, then chances are your battery has gone bad. When the battery can no longer work properly, it simply doesn’t hold a charge most of the time.
However, the mechanic should check your battery in this case because this is not always the case of a completely dead battery. [2]
Related: Pros and Cons Of Hybrid Cars
Last but not least, if you notice some other components have gone bad, this too can indicate a battery that has gone bad.
Those components include all electrical ones in the vehicle. This should by no means be ignored, as one of the very important electrical components is a security system.
Read Also: Mercedes S400 Hybrid Problems
Mercedes c350e Battery Warranty
The battery warranty of a Mercedes c350e plug-in hybrid is covered independently for at least six years (or 62,000 miles).
The Mercedes is covered with a standard four-year (unlimited mileage) warranty. With that, there is a 2-year manufacturer warranty and a 2-year extended warranty.
Besides the Mercedes-Benz e350e and s560e, the Mercedes c350e plug-in hybrid battery is also covered with an extended warranty. [3]
Related: Jeep Wrangler 4xe Problems
The Verdict
A lot of people seem to wonder if purchasing the Mercedes c350e plug-in hybrid is worth it.
With proven high-level performance on the field, amazing reviews, and lower CO2 emissions, this hybrid remains highly popular.
As it’s the case with other hybrids, there are still some battery-related problems that can come up, as discussed in this article.
However, most of them are easily solvable and don’t pose many risks. If the battery dies, you do need to replace the battery to run a car. Otherwise, a depleted battery is easily recharged by the engine or regenerative braking.
But with a hybrid technology that has improved greatly in recent years, this most likely won’t be a common problem. The Mercedes c350e plug-in hybrid is certainly proof of that.
