2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 E350 ranks worst of 19 model years for this model, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 399 complaints, the top area being Fuel System issues (55% of complaints). It carries the Avoid verdict, with 4 recalls and a median failure mileage of 90,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 19 E350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 399
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 1
Top 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System219 (55%)
- Engine77 (19%)
- Brakes56 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (9%)
- Electrical System20 (5%)
- Airbags13 (3%)
- Other12 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (2%)
- Structure & Body7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a strong gasoline odor inside and outside the car, sometimes traced to a leaking fuel level sender or a puddle of fuel found under the rear seat near the tank.
- Some describe white fumes and gas smell entering the cabin through the ventilation system while driving on the highway, followed by fire.
- Several owners report the engine revving or the vehicle accelerating on its own while brakes were applied, leading to crashes.
- Oil has been reported leaking from camshaft plugs and camshaft sensors onto hot exhaust components, producing smoke that enters the heating and cooling system.
- One owner reported the engine wiring harness insulation cracking and falling off, exposing bare wires.
- A transmission failed to respond to acceleration input after a stop in cold, snowy conditions, requiring the car to be restarted to regain power.
2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V874000Nov 19, 2024Visibility & Wipers33,456 vehicles
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.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
- NHTSA 22V954000Dec 23, 2022Visibility & Wipers131,653 vehicles
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.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
- NHTSA 21V196000Mar 19, 2021Visibility & Wipers11,356 vehicles
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. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.
2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 E350 is the worst-ranked year among 19 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 399 total complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350?
- Fuel System complaints make up 55% of all reports for this year, with 219 complaints including fuel odor and fires, at a median failure mileage of 88,950 miles.
- Does the 2006 E350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 E350, all involving the Visibility & Wipers component tied to sunroof glass panel bonding, with none of them do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 E350 compare to other years?
- The 2006 model has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst of all years with data, worse than 2007 (89) and 2014 (94), while 2017, 2022, and 2024 earn Best verdicts with indexes of 17, 11, and 6.
- Were there fires reported in the 2006 E350?
- NHTSA complaint data lists 9 fires for the 2006 E350, several tied to the Fuel System and Engine problem areas.