RoadVitals

2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Mar 23, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 7, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class, most frequently naming the fuel system, airbags and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 8 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system654.5%
  • Airbags218.2%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Other / unspecified19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08V303000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jul 7, 2008
404 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2008 070001View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE10017ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance

Opened May 14, 2010
Closed Nov 24, 2010

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 driver's frontal air bag.The faulty connector can cause the air bag circuit resistance levels to exceed the threshold that illuminates the air bag warning lamp, but they do not exceed a higher limit at which proper deployment of the air bag may no longer occur.The agency believes that further expenditure of agency resources does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.During the investigation, ODI learned that MBUSA will initiate a warranty extension program to address the faulty connectors in subject model year 2005 and 2006 E-Class and other MBUSA model/model year vehicles.This action will extend the warranty coverage for this issue to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.MBUSA will notify all affected vehicle owners of this action.A bulletin describing this program is available in the investigative file.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 2014

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COMPLETELY LOST THE BRAKE FUNCTION, THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND IT TOOK IT ANOTHER 200 TO 300 FEET TO STOP. THE DASH TURNED RED AND HAD A WARNING STOP REDUCED BRAKING POWER DEPRESS BRAKE FULLY SBC WARNING I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL, BRAKE PADS, LEAKS ...BUT FOUND NONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10574230
Incident
Mar 22, 2014
Mileage
168,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2014

2006 MERCEDES E350 PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2007. CURRENT MILEAGE LESS THAN 90K. IN MARCH 2012 I ENTERED MY GARAGE AND SMELLED A HEAVY SCENT OF GASOLINE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF BUCKHEAD. ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LEAKING UNDER BACK PASSENGER SEAT. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. REPAIR COST $965.63. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567757
Incident
Mar 12, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Jan 11, 2014

WHENEVER MY CAR FILLED UP (NOT OVER FILL) WITH GASOLINE, THE STRONG GASOLINE SMELL WILL LAST A FEW DAYS. THE CAR WAS INVESTIGATED BY MERCEDES DEALER, THEY FOUND FUEL PUDDLED AT SENDER UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT ON LEFT SIDE. THEY STATED THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR USE AT THIS TIME DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. HOWEVER, THEY WON'T FIX IT AS MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND WOULD CHARGE ME FOR $1,300.00 AND I DIDN'T REPAIR IT SINCE IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE. I ALSO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS NOT THE PART THAT NEED REGULAR SERVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE WARE OUT. MERCEDES BENZ NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559479
Incident
Nov 25, 2013
Mileage
73,410 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 26, 2013

EACH TIME AFTER FILL UP THE GASOLINE (NO OVER FILL), I HAVE TO SMELL THE FUEL SMELL FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS. I HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2009, BUT THE ODOR IS GETTING EXTREMELY STRONG. I WENT TO A LOCAL MERCEDES DEAL FOR INSPECTION,THEY CHARGED ME $175 AND INSISTED THAT IT IS NOT RECALL ITEM. THE INSPECTION SHOWS: 73412 FUEL SENDER LEAKING FUEL, VEHICLE NOT SAFE FOR USE AT THIS TIME DUE TO FIRE HAZARD, INSPECTED VEHICLE FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, REMOVED REAR SEAT AND INSPECTION COVER FOR FUEL SENDER, FOUND FUEL PUDDLED AT SENDER. I THINK THE LEAKING IS CAUSED BY DEFECTED PARTS WHICH SUPPOSE TO LAST LIFE TIME LONG. MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL THIS ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553931
Incident
Nov 22, 2013
Mileage
73,410 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES E280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STOMACH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE WAS REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND AFTER INSPECTING IMAGES FROM THE CRASH SCENE, RULED THAT THE IMPACT DID NOT WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES E280 2006 ## *TR

NHTSA ID
10524437
Incident
May 23, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 4, 2013

I'M WRITING TO LODGE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING A DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK INTO THE CABIN OF MY PARENTS' 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E 350 (VIN [XXX]), WHICH HAS RESULTED IN GAS SOAKING THE REAR INSULATION PAD, SOUND PAD, & REAR SEAT CUSHION, ALL OF WHICH ARE "SOAKED" IN GAS (PER THE REPAIR RECOMMENDATION FROM MB OF SAN DIEGO). I SHOULD ADD THAT THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 55K MILES. MY MOM IS 76 AND MY DAD IS 82. THEY DON'T DRIVE MUCH-- JUST LOCAL ERRANDS. THE ONLY REASON MY MOM CAUGHT THIS ONE WAS THE STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CABIN. I AM WRITING TO YOU DIRECTLY FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: 1.THIS RELATES TO YOUR ON-GOING INVESTIGATION #PE12-001. 2.THE FUEL LEAK PRESENTS A DANGEROUS RISK OF FIRE AND RISK OF GAS FUME INHALATION TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. 3.THE FUEL FROM THE LEAK DOES IN FACT SOAK INTO REAR INSULATION PAD, SOUND PAD, & REAR SEAT CUSHION, DESPITE THE INCORRECT DENIAL OF THAT FACT BY MB-USA TO THE NHTSA. (SEE LETTER FROM MB-USA TO YOU.) 4.THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT MB OF SAN DIEGO TOLD ME LAST WEEK THAT HE HAS PERSONALLY SEEN A LOT OF THESE FUEL LEAKS INTO THE CABIN WITH MBS. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER PERFORMING THE REPAIR TO SAVE THE DEFECTIVE THE PART(S) AND THE SOAKED INSULATION PAD, SOUND PAD, & REAR SEAT CUSHION. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR.. UPDATED 02-07-13 *BF *TR UPDATED 2/12/2013 *JS 02/15/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10496363
Incident
Jan 31, 2013
Mileage
55,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 12, 2012

FUEL SMELL WHEN VEHICLE IS FILLED UP ...FUEL LEAKING AT TOP OF FUEL TANK ...THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE W211 E CLASS CARS FROM 2003 TO 2009 DEALER WANTS 2000.00 TO REPAIR THIS FLAW IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MERCEDES WILL NOT HELP AT ALL WITH THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10458202
Incident
May 12, 2012
Mileage
50,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2012

THIS ISN'T A COMPLAINT, IT IS A REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF OR ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE GASOLINE TANK FOR MY VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK OWNERSHIP FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK, THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MERCEDES BENZ CERTIFIED SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE HERE BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE THE PREVIOUS OWNER ALWAYS HAD THIS VEHICLE SERVICED. THERE WERE NO RECORDS SHOWING THIS PROBLEM BEING LOOKED INTO, AND WHEN I ASKED THE PREVIOUS OWNER, HE SAID HE NEVER FILLED UP THE GASOLINE TANK, ALWAYS PUTTING IN $15 - $20 OR SO AT A TIME, THEREFORE HE NEVER SMELLED THE GASOLINE ODOR. THE MERCEDES BENZ CERTIFIED SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THIS MODEL ALONG WITH 2005 AND 2007 MODELS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE GASOLINE TANKS. I THEN TOOK IT TO OUR MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP HERE AND TALKED WITH A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. HE WAS VERY, VERY HELPFUL, VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND TOLD ME THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE ON THESE MODELS, BUT NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RECALLED. HE TOLD ME HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO HAVE THE GASOLINE TANK REPLACED (WORSE CASE SCENARIO) SUGGESTED I WRITE TO YOU AND SEE IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER REPLACEMENT OR ASSISTANCE. IT IS MY FIRST MERCEDES BENZ TO OWN AND I LOVE THIS VEHICLE. I AM A RETIRED MINISTER LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY, SO ANYTHING YOU COULD DO FOR ME WOULD BE PRAYERFULLY APPRECIATED. WOULD YOU MIND LOOKING INTO THIS AND ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR *JS

NHTSA ID
10457124
Incident
Apr 12, 2012
Mileage
146,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI68.05-P-059193

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink

SB-59783

AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

MERCEDES-BENZ: THERE ARE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTION QUALITY ISSUES THAT CAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *RM

SB-32-25-82

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM; SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

MERCEDES-BENZ: SHOCK ABSORBER PROCEDURE. *RM

SB-090930

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS; TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

MERCEDES: THE LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT FOR MODELS 211, MODEL 219 AND MODELS 230 WAS EXTENDED FROM THE ORIGINAL 4 YEARS/50,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATION. THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT EXTENDED LIMITED WARRANTY APPLIES TO ALL CONDITIONS THAT JUSTIFY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT UNDER THE STANDARD WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS. *PE

PB-35-31-05

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

MERCEDES BENZ: MODEL 171.454, 456 (2005-2008) SLK CLASS; 204.054, 056, 081 (2008) C CLASS; 211.022, 056, 072, 087, 090 (2006-2008) E CLASS. VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN 2/21/08 AND 4/3/08 WITH DIFFERENTIAL SERIAL NUMBER 1824214 TO 1865328. CLUNKING NOISE DURING LOAD CHANGE AT REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL. *PE

P-B-82.10/626

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

MERCEDES-BENZ: MODEL 211.026, 065, 070, 076, 082, 083, 265, 276, 282, 283 (E-CLASS). VIN A564853 AND X161341; EQUIPPED WITH BI-XENON AND CURVE ILLUMINATION. CURVE ILLUMINATION NONFUNCTIONAL. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz E Class by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008500—
2006Viewing101144.1
2005931—
2004154049.9
2003454046.7
2002800—
2001150238.7
2000341343.5
1999131239.6
1998240237.7
1997381243.9
1996162143.7
1995212048.5
1994382053.8
1993720—
1992020—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—
1988010—
1987010—
1986010—
1985010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.