AI Damage2006 Mercedes-Benz E500: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E500 filed 50 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 50
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 32% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 30% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 4 Wheels 8% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 16 complaints (32% of all).
- Fuel system: 15 complaints (30% of all).
- Air bags: 4 complaints (8% of all).
- Wheels: 4 complaints (8% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 50 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 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 mercedes-benz e500. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail. Prior to the crash, the steering wheel suddenly became very loose and failed to turn.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a fuel leak, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. A diagnostic test revealed an Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) control system leak. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired.
My father and mother were driving back home on the evening of 1/29/25 when all of a sudden they heard a loud pop/explosion and their seat belts tightened. They were traveling at a speed of approximately 35 mph on local roads.
The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, she noticed arrows were pointing at the sunroof. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number:Â 22V954000 (Visibility). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired.
The protective covering had disintegrated off, causing risk of fire or explosion from bare wires touching.
I thought I would pass out from the smell of gasoline. The dealer told me to roll my windows down when driving what? I drove my car like that for approx 1 week before the fuel tank came in. They did pay for it. I was concerned if I where to smoke in the car what would happen?
This has actually happened 2x already-I was stationary at a light and when I went to accelerate the car stalled and would not start back up. There where many cars behind me and my car would not move. I turned car off and then it finally restarted and I was able to pull over on the side of the road . I was terrified.
My sunroof has been leaking a little all the liner in my car is starting to fall down. It started with the sunroof and the mechanical part of the roof is deteriorating. I had to take off the panel for the sunroof because it was molding and not closing properly.
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 5,345 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the E500 has 66 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 50, 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.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, fuel system, air bags. Total complaints: 50. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (30%), windows, sunroof (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E500?
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 E500 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.