AI Damage2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 30% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 10% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- 3.2 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- automatic, 7-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the E Class has 19 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 10, below average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- E Class 19937 sources
- E Class 199438 sources
- E Class 199521 sources
- E Class 199616 sources
- E Class 199738 sources
- E Class 199824 sources
- E Class 199913 sources
- E Class 200034 sources
- E Class 200115 sources
- E Class 20028 sources
- E Class 200345 sources
- E Class 200415 sources
- E Class 20059 sources
- E Class 20085 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, fuel system, air bags. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (40%), smoke, burning smell, fire (30%), airbags did not deploy (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.