Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. I was recently at Mercedes dealership to fix recalls and they brushed me off. The car can catch fire and I'm already experiencing engine failure after only owning the car for a year. They don't care because it's an old car but it's still being sold to unsuspecting buyers. I'm not the only one there are thousands of us who are at risk driving these cars because Mercedes won't admit their off the showroom floor mistake.
We, my wife and 3 son's were coming down from big bear when it started snowing. Snow got heavy and I was approaching a sharp curve slowed down to about 8miles made the turn nd slowly pressed on the gas peddle, the rpms went up but the car did not accelerate. I had to stop put the car in park then turn it of, turn it back on, put it in gear and accelerate slowly. As I looked in the side mirrors, I noticed cars skidding sideways and some hitting the side of the mountain, there was a large 4 wheel drive in back of me so it HID the make of my car and license plate.this has also happened on the freeway when I have to come to a complete stop, then the car will not move but the rpms rev up. Also in the mornings when I go to work the car down shifts extremely hard, seems the transmission is going to break along with my collarbone. …
While driving on us 50 my the sbc failed while driving 60mph I had no brakes the indicators told me to turn the vehicle off and to depress brakes fully. That's hard to do whn ur going 60mph... So I had to let the vehicle drift until it came to a stop on the side of the highway... Please get mb to correct this problem before someone loses their life... After this incident my check engine light came on had the vehicle diagnosed the independent mechanic said as a result of the engine revving so high when the breaks failed I got trouble codes p0016 and p0017.. Related to the balance shaft... The vehicle has not been serviced... Based on the price I was quoted in order to repair the vehicle I was told it will cost between 4 to $5.000 usd for repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. While driving approximately 45 to 50 MPH, the vehicle approached a ramp and applied the brakes. Messages on the instrument panel illuminated that read "reduced brake pressure and depress brake fully", "traction control", "ABS", and "check engine lights". In addition, the steering wheel locked up when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was pulled over, turned off, restarted, and driven home. The failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to a mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz E350. While driving 60 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the rear wheels suddenly locked up and the vehicle began to skid uncontrollably. The contact was able to downshift into first gear. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was able to slowly drive in first through fourth gears successfully. As soon as the contact shifted into fifth gear, the vehicle performed as if the brake pedal were depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of this failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 120,000.
At 73,480 miles this 2006 Mercedes has a faulty conductor plate valve that needs to be replaced. This faulty conductor plate/speed sensor causes the car not to shift from 1st to 2nd gear and instead spins without going into gear. This vehicle has been in motion while this occurs. At stop light, tried to accelerate forward and could not. Shut car off and restarted. Cars in back of me proceeding = dangerous situation to be turning off ignition and restarting car only to move forward! There were also previous occurrences of the same incident.
Vehicle went into low gear unsuspectingly, and steering became difficult vehicle went into limp mode without and warning. Vehicle could not be driven over 30mph vehicle would not shift back into higher gear. Vehicle is parked and vehicle is still struck in low gear will not come out of lower gear.I notice you have a recall item li27-22 componet 103700 power train automatic transmission torque converter 6-29-11 NHTSA item 10038976 and one dated by NHTSA dated 7-24-14 component 103000power train automatic transmission item#10056470
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine inspection. The mechanic discovered that the crankshaft position sensor was faulty. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,700.
2006 Mercedes ml350 balance shaft - class action lawsuit - defective. Went into low gear while running. Will not come back to normal. Code from diagnosis states the problem as timing chain. Mercedes states " maybe fixed in good faith" . Bad balance shaft from factory. Many problems with this defective part. But we need money up front to fix which we don't have. From Mercedes repair shop.
I had my car maybe 2 months before I started having problems transmission first they said a transmission module was burned out and it had a recall I took it back several times I wasn't notified of this issue but kept having it. (park place dallas) then I took it to austin they worked on it several times same issue now nov the issue was so bad I was going down the street 25 MPH couldn't go any faster and when they picked up the car they said they couldn't find it but a solenoid switch had burned out I thought it was the heater they said it was a recall on this part also 3 weeks later burning again dragging again when driving they said the solenoid switch recalled again. They kept the car until 2/25/2008 since christmas eve . …
Transmission complaints in other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350, 9% of the model year's 400 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.