2006 Mercedes-Benz E350

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Mercedes-Benz E350
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercedes-Benz E350 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 2003: 7 complaints 2003 2004: 10 complaints 2005: 15 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2006 2007: 349 complaints 2007 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 183 complaints 2011: 222 complaints 2011 2012: 215 complaints 2013: 161 complaints 2013 2014: 274 complaints 2015: 31 complaints 2015 2016: 50 complaints 2017: 7 complaints 2017
2006: 398 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20037
200410
200515
2006398
2007349
2008173
200964
2010183
2011222
2012215
2013161
2014274
201531
201650
20177

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 36%

36% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 144 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CAR FIRE - COMPLETE LOSS UPDATED 04/18/13*LJ PICTURES RECEIVED. 04/18/13 *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130415

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 19%

19% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 75 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VERY STRONG, LASTING, GAS ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I SEARCHED FORUM OF MBWORLD.ORG AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE CAUSE COULD BE A LEAKING FUEL LEVER SENDER DUE TO BROKEN SEAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130707

CAR FIRE - COMPLETE LOSS UPDATED 04/18/13*LJ PICTURES RECEIVED. 04/18/13 *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130415

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 50 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The engine in these cars are defective and can cause serious harm due to a part that was put inside the motor made of plastic. There was a lawsuit but if you didn’t get in on it you losses out for not knowing.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240829

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE OF 'RESTRICTING SYSTEM MANUFACTURE' ILLUMINATED AND 07:02 THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201109

I ARRIVED HOME AFTER DRIVING 2 MILES FROM WORK AND WHEN I STOPPED I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD. THE SMOKE WOULD ALMOST STOP AND THEN BECOME THICK AGAIN, IN CYCLES OF ABOUT 1 MINUTE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190509

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE OF 'RESTRICTING SYSTEM MANUFACTURE' ILLUMINATED AND 07:02 THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201109

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The engine in these cars are defective and can cause serious harm due to a part that was put inside the motor made of plastic. There was a lawsuit but if you didn’t get in on it you losses out for not knowing.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240829

SAFETY TIMELINE

2006 — complaint volume: 398
I 20100514 — PE (closed 20101124)

Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance

I 20130315 — EA (closed 20141219)

Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank

R 20200710 — visibility

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Campaign 19V918000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210507 — visibility

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon...

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Campaign 21V196000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230203 — visibility

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918.

Campaign 22V954000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250110 — visibility

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Campaign 24V874000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (144 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (75 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 19V918000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V196000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V954000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V874000 (visibility) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2016 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

◆ 2007 ◆ 2014 ● 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350?

The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.