2006 Mercedes Benz E Class

Routine

Owners filed 10 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline3
000
Wheels1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Electrical System1
000
Air Bags1
101

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Electrical System08V303000
Filed Jul 7, 2008404 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

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.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 2014168,000 milesMI

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 7, 2014GA

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 11, 201473,410 milesCA

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 26, 201373,410 milesCA

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

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 11, 201365,000 milesMD

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 4, 201355,000 milesCA

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 12, 201250,000 milesFL

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 2, 2012146,000 milesTX

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 *J

Wheels
Filed Dec 5, 201156,000 milesVA

AUTO HAS LOW PROFILE MAG WHEELS. TWO RIGHT WHEELS CRACKED WHEN HIT A CURB IN SEPT 2009. TWO WHEELS AND 4 TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED SEPT 10, 2009. THE FOLLOWING JUNE ONE OF THE REPLACED WHEELS DEVELOPED A CRACK. NOT KNOWN WHY CRACK DEVELOPED AS I DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR ANYTHING ELSE. THEN JUST THIS YEAR IN OCTOBER RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK CAUSING THE TIRE TO SLOWLY LOSE AIR. WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL: 4 WHEELS REPLACED IN 2 YEARS, INCLUDING FOUR TIRES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 30, 200921,670 milesOH

MERCEDES BENZ 2006 E350. THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS TO SHORT AND COMES APART DISABLING ALL AIRBAGS. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE COMPANY WON'T PAY TO CORRECT IT. THE REPAIR IS PROHIBITIVE AT $715.00 THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY DEFECT!! *TR

10 of 10 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20085000Routine
2006 — this page10100Routine
20059300Routine
200415400Routine
200345400Routine
20028000Routine
200115000Routine
200034100Routine
199913100Routine
199824000Routine
199738100Routine
199616200Routine
199521220Routine
199438250Routine
19937210Routine
19920200Routine

Compare every E Class year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 7, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.