RoadVitals

2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints 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.
29
Latest Aug 29, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 398 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 29, 2024
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11611501
Incident
Aug 28, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 12, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11308851
Incident
Feb 4, 2020
Mileage
161,718 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 29, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11291831
Incident
Aug 3, 2019
Mileage
144,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 29, 2019

VIBRATION WHEN CORNERING ALSO AT CERTAIN SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
11172813
Incident
Jan 31, 2018
Mileage
129,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 21, 2018

TAKATA RECALL , OIL LEAK ,ELECTRICAL HARNESS

NHTSA ID
11064053
Incident
Jun 5, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2017

CARS WILL NOT SHIFT. IT WONT GO PASS 3RD GEAR AND ALMOST CRASHED. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND PER DEALER, CAR IS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT NOT RECALL. HAD TO PAY OVER $4000 TO GET THE CAR FIXED

NHTSA ID
10960122
Incident
Jan 15, 2015
Mileage
45,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 2017

THE TRANSMISSION CONDUCTOR PLATE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. I WAS STUCK IN EITHER FIRST OR SECOND GEAR. I LEARN THAT IT WAS IN LIMP MODE. THE 722.9 TRANSMISSION CONDUCTOR PLATE SENSOR IS KNOWN TO HAVE THESE ISSUE AS I LEARNED FROM MANY MERCEDES OWNER THAT HAVE THE 7SPEED TRANNY. PLEASE ADVISE ON THIS SUBJECT TO TAKE ACTION ON RECALLING THE SERVICE FOR MY CAR. I HAVE 2006 E350,2014ML550,2007 S550. THESE CARS ALL HAVE THE CODE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE CODE IS P0717 AND P0718. THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION INTO THIS MATTERS.

NHTSA ID
10956957
Incident
Jun 20, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 7, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10950131
Incident
Dec 30, 2016
Mileage
73,480 mi
BrakesEngineOther / unspecified+2 more
Filed Aug 3, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10892942
Incident
Sep 7, 2015
Mileage
129,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 10, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10747603
Incident
Aug 2, 2015
Mileage
92,094 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 30, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10745079
Incident
Jul 15, 2015
Mileage
99,700 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 19, 2015

THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS (MBEC) BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER'S AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT WHICH CAUSES THIS VEHICLE TO NOT GO INTO PROPER GEAR AND/OR STALL SUDDENLY PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK. I BARELY ESCAPED BEING SMASHED INTO BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE MAKING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN INTO A GAS STATION BECAUSE MY MBEC WAS STUCK IN GEAR AND DID NOT ACCELERATE AS IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND DESIGNED TO DO BUT RATHER SPUTTERED AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR (MPH). THE ONLY REASON I WAS NOT T-BONED AND LIKELY SERIOUSLY INJURED ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE WAS BECAUSE THE OTHER DRIVERS SWERVED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAUSING THOSE DRIVERS TO ALSO SWERVE. MIRACULOUSLY NO ONE WAS INJURED, THIS TIME. ALSO, THE REASON WHY I WAS TURNING INTO THE GAS STATION WAS BECAUSE I WAS FORCED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE MY MBEC WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR AFTER I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS APPROACHING RED-LINING AT AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE ENGINE MIGHT BLOW. THE TIPTRONIC ALSO FAILED DURING THIS MALFUNCTION. I HAD THE AUTHORIZED MB DEALER THAT I HAVE USED SINCE I PURCHASED MY MBEC PICKUP MY VEHICLE TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND MY ADVISOR TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW BALANCE SHAFT BECAUSE THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE HAD PREMATURELY WORN (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALWAYS STRINGENTLY FOLLOWED MY MB ADVISOR'S SUGGESTIONS) AND IT WOULD COST ROUGHLY $6,500. S/HE ALSO SAID THIS OCCURS IN ROUGHLY 15-20% OF '06 MBEC. BUT MB WOULD NOT FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT UNLESS I PAID. WORSE YET, MY ADVISOR NEVER MADE ME AWARE OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH S/HE PREVIOUSLY KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN AND AS A RESULT PUT THE PUBLIC AT RISK BY NOT ENABLING ME TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY MODEL YEAR VEHICLE UNTIL THE OCCURRENCE OF A NEAR CATASTROPHE. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL NOW THAT THIS SAFETY DEFECT HAS COME TO LIGHT AND UNLESS THERE IS, THE PUBLIC WILL REMAIN AT SERIOUS RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10695497
Incident
Jan 27, 2015
Mileage
103,586 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 5, 2015
Crash reported

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. PLEASE SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOW ABOUT THE DEFECTS PLEASE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692390
Incident
Feb 22, 2015
Mileage
117,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10681466
Incident
Feb 4, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 2, 2014

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN CHECK INDICATES CAM SENSOR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ID
10661824
Incident
Dec 3, 2012
Mileage
93,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 14, 2014

ON THE WAY TO WORK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. AFTER A FEW MILES, AT AN INTERSECTION, MY CAR JERKED AND I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE THE SIGNAL LIGHT. I DECIDED TO GO BACK. AFTER I SHIFTED TO REVERSE, THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE BACK AND STOPPED THERE TOTALLY. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED, THE CAR WORKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY, IT NEEDS "ENTIRE VALVE BODY/CONDUCTOR PLATE ASSY-REPLACE AND RETEST" AND TOTAL COST IS $2000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622316
Incident
Aug 13, 2014
Mileage
71,794 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 29, 2014

I INITIALLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING THEN THERE WERE ENGINE ISSUES COMPOUNDING THE PROBLEM. RE THE TRANSMISSION, MY FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND MY CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED LATER THAT THE CAR WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR SO I COULD NOT GET MY NORMAL FORWARD MOVEMENT. HE TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO TURN MY ENGINE OFF, COUNT TO TEN AND TURN IT BACK ON. FORTUNATELY HE TOLD ME THIS BECAUSE THE NEXT TIMES IT HAPPENED I WAS ON LINCOLN BLVD. IN MARINA DEL REY, CA. AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. ONE TIME I WAS AT A RED LIGHT SO HAD TIME TO TURN IT OFF AND ON. THE NEXT TIME I HAD TO COAST INTO A VERY SMALL CENTER DIVIDER THAT WAS GROWING SMALLER AND WITH TRAFFIC FLYING BY ON MY SIDE AND ONCOMING I HAD TO TURN OFF MY ENGINE, COUNT TO TEN AND TURN IT ON. THIS CAUSED A LOT OF ANGST SINCE I HAD CARS FLYING BY AND AT ME WHILE DOING THIS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER INSTANCES. I AM GETTING NO COOPERATION FROM MBZ. *JS

NHTSA ID
10617399
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
37,551 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10564213
Incident
Jan 30, 2014
Mileage
79,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 4, 2013

HAVING RETURNED FROM A WEEKEND TRIP, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND LET IT WARM UP FOR A FEW MINUTES. PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE AND OFF I WENT, SO I THOUGHT. MY VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY IN LIMP MODE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODE P2725 "PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID E ELECTRICAL". IN OTHER WORDS, CONDUCTOR PLATE AND VALVE BODY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 722.9 TRANSMISSIONS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BY A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP ON 6/27/2013, TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND NEW FILTER ($553.38). THREE MONTHS LATER, BOOM! KAPUT! LIMP MODE! VALVE BODY TOASTED! DEALER QUOTE OF $1800 AND $2100 TO REPLACE VALVE BODY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MERCEDES SHOULD FOOT THE BILL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10550847
Incident
Oct 21, 2013
Mileage
126,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 25, 2013

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STOP AND THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE FROZEN. AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD INCREASE SPEED THEN IT WOULD AGAIN SLOW DOWN. WHEN I PULLED OVER I WAS ABLE TO SWITCH OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME DRIVING. ONCE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT READY TO TRAVEL BACK HOME I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I WAS NOW ABLE TO ONLY DRIVE THE CAR USING MANUAL SHIFT OR DRIVE IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AT 20 TO 30 MPH. I HAD THE CAR EVALUATED BY MERCEDES IN ATLANTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS SOME PROBLEM WITH SOME TYPE OF TRANSMISSION PUMP AND THAT I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY MERCEDES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH PREVIOUS CARS THAT I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 10 PLUS YEARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. A NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST ME $6500. I CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR FOR THAT PRICE. I DID HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT HAS NOW EXPIRED. *JS

NHTSA ID
10545375
Incident
Sep 15, 2013
Mileage
129,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 10, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT GEARS FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND BACK TO DRIVE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID
10524215
Incident
Jun 19, 2013
Mileage
89,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 16, 2012

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD HEAR THAT THE ENGINE DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT, IT WAS REVVING AT A HIGHER RPM THAN NORMAL. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS EVERY TIME I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THEN ONLY HAD 3RD. GEAR AVAILABLE. NOTHING ELSE. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT'S CALLED "LIMP MODE" IT WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 40MPH AND NOTHING ELSE WORKED, JUST 3RD. GEAR AND REVERSE. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I LEARNED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MOST 7-SPEEDS AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THIS ISSUE IS APPALLING. APPARENTLY MERCEDES KNEW OF THIS MATTER ALL ALONG AND DID NOTHING. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AND I HAVE TO PAY $1,600 TO HAVE THE CONDUCTOR PLATE AND VALVE BODY FIXED. I'M A SINGLE MOM, SELF EMPLOYED, BUT STILL A SINGLE MOM. THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND MERCEDES SHOULD BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO REMEDY THIS. "*TR

NHTSA ID
10480738
Incident
Oct 12, 2012
Mileage
78,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 20, 2012

CAR HAS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, DIAGNOSED TO HAVE BALANCE SHAFT FAILURE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT THAT HAPPENS TO MANY CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. MERCEDES WAS AWARE SINCE 2007, BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ONLY OFFERS TO GIVE 'FREE' PARTS. DEALER SAYS WOULD COST $4500 TO $6000 FOR LABOR TO FIX. MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10476514
Incident
Aug 14, 2012
Mileage
64,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 26, 2012

BALANCE SHAFT FAILURE. AT 57,700 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH CODES 1200/1207 ALSO KNOWN AS P0016 AND P0017. THE BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET IS EXCESSIVELY WORN DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT KNOWN BY MERCEDES BENZ USA TO BE DUE TO POORLY HARDENED METAL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS PART. MAY CAUSE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN CORRECTING THE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10453116
Incident
Mar 6, 2012
Mileage
57,700 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE THE DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE GRINDING NOISE WAS ALSO PRESENT WHEN MAKING TURNS AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE FLUSHED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS FLUSHED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ID
10447287
Incident
May 1, 2010
Mileage
33,000 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .