Most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems
Share of the 23 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz C350 complaints by model year
Best C350 years: 2007, 2015, 2014. Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2012, 2011. Compare all years →
2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 recalls (5)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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 AMG vehicles.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic,…
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
At 9,000 miles my 2006 Mercedes C350 had to have a fuel pump replaced. It was out of warranty (low miles usage for 5 year old car) so I had to pay $900 for the repair. I could smell fuel everytime I filled the tank and the Mercedes dealer said the pump had to be replaced. I read about a recall of E350 models being recalled for the same reason with the same engine. I asked the dealer about this and they said mine was not part of the recall because it is a C class Mercedes. It has the same engine with the same problem and I think this should be looked into.
I have a very loud odor of gasoline coming from near my back wheel on the drivers side. The car rides fine and I get good gas mileage but it is not leaking anywhere. I took my backseat out and there was nothing wet. I also replaced the gas cap and it did not help
Engine & cooling
In this settlement the plaintiffs allege that Mercedes produced certain vehicles equipped with defective gears in their balance shafts (in the event of the m272 engines) or with defective idle gears (in the case of the m273 engines). These defective gears wear out prematurely, excessively, and without warning, causing the vehicle to malfunction, the 'check engine light' to remain illuminated, and the vehicle to have symptoms such as misfiring or catastrophic stops. Case name: majeed seifi, et al. V. Mercedes Benz USA llc case no. 3:12-cv-05493 U.S. District court for the northern district of california. Contact: Mercedes engine defect settlement administrator p.o. Box 43351 providence, ri 02940-3351 email: [email] my vehicle has the same problem, with defective factory gear in their balance shafts.
Balance shaft engine issues, stretched timing chain, balance shaft sprockets. There was a class action lawsuit about this that no one made us aware of and the repairs had to be completed by May 13, 2015 to be part of the class action. Now, because we drove it so few miles in the past, the issues have just appeared. We have just 76,000 miles on it and were told that they would have to take the engine apart to replace the camshaft bearings because they have worn due to the other issues. Along with that we needed a new head and gasket and camshaft solenoids. This is estimated to cost us $10,000.00. We of course aren't going to do the repairs now. There should have been a recall on this so people like us that don't drive a lot of miles don't get ripped off. This is a Mercedes that should have easily run for over 200,000 miles. Now it's junk.
2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 a good car?
Based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 C350 rates average: 37% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C350 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350?
The fuel & propulsion system — 11 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery. Next are the engine & cooling (5) and air bags (2).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz C350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2015 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2011. See the full Mercedes-Benz C350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.