Most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Share of the 400 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints by model year
Best E350 years: 2017, 2015, 2020. Years to avoid: 2014, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2006. Compare all years →
2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls (4)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350:
Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has reported a high number of warranty claims for air bag warning lamp illumination due to a diagnostic fault code 9103 or 9123 indicating a high resistance in the driver's frontal air bag firing circuit.MBUSA's testing and evaluation have shown that this condition is the result of a faulty connector (specifically, improper wire crimp) but that it will not prevent proper deployment of the…
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of…
What 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 219 →
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, she started to smell an abnormal fuel odor from the rear driver's side seat. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel level sending unit and the seals and gaskets to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that she was unable to continue driving the vehicle due to odor. The contact towed the vehicle to another local dealer, Mercedes-Benz of Myrtle Beach (936 Jason Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel line and all the seals and gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, fuel was noticed leaking from the vehicle onto the driveway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Engine & cooling all 72 →
We just purchased a 2006 Mercedes for our teenage sons and had a dealer look at it before we purchased it. They told us there were a couple of codes that were worth watching but that it wasn't anything significant right now. After the car started jerking and shaking while driving it, we brought it in to dealership where they told us it had a common code for Mercedes in this timeframe P0016. Repair estimate is nearly $5000 to replace timing chain and balance shaft, or a new engine which would be roughly the same. After researching on my own upon being told this code, I found all of the information about the class action lawsuit and settlement, which of course we are too late to be a part of. The dealer said there is a potential that the car could just seize up at some point, so I don't want my young sons to be out on the road when that happens. …
Certain Mercedes-Benz models 2005- 2007 M272 V6 and M273 V8's have faced or are facing issues regarding the balance sprocket in which drives the camshaft and crankshaft of the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz had made a decision to make certain engine components out of soft metals, when such metals are not adequate in handling the stress of the engine. In particular, in many cases, the balance sprocket was made with inadequate materials and gradually deteriorated to the point in which it could not engage the timing chain and cause camshaft-crankshaft misalignment. I personally did not experience such failure yet but it is more of a concern as this is a common issue , the repair is quite substantial and the failure can damage the engine even more
Brakes all 54 →
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to function as intended. The brake pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. The contact's mother used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) system failure. The contact was informed that the Sensotronic Brake Control system needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the mechanic unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle would not stop when depressing the brake pedal. No warning lights were illuminated, however, the contact stated the entire instrument panel was illuminated in red. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle's brake line, brakes, and rotors were replaced. The contact stated the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and was not repaired. The contact referenced the manufacturer recall 2005110001 Sensotronic Brake Control as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 a good car?
Based on 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 E350 rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the E350 at the same age. It is one of the E350 years we suggest avoiding. 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 E350?
The fuel & propulsion system — 219 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the engine & cooling (72) and brakes (54).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350, 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 E350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2015 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2006. See the full Mercedes-Benz E350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 18% 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.