Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E 350 a bad year?
400 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 71, 7.1× a quiet E 350 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 67k–119k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 E 350 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 92,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 219 (55%) | 64k–115k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 71 (18%) | 67k–119k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 54 (14%) | 112k–150k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 37 (9%) | 42k–103k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 19 (5%) | 60k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 92,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 400 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
PO16, PO17 needs to replace balanceshaft timing chain will cost 8-10K. Engine will fail if not replaced . There is a notice on this.
Faulty balance shift and idle gear. Replaced many components to rectify the issue only to find a star bulletin was available for the fix.
2006 mercedes benz M272/M273 engine. *balance shaft issue* our 2006 E350 mercedes benz was just diagnosed that it needed the balance shaft replaced, a $5000-$8000 dollar repair.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 92,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E 350: 4
The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach. A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mercedes-Benz: 73
Repair instructions Mercedes-Benz sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E 350. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
Ticking or pulsing noise from high-pressure pump and/or fuel injectors
Gasket may settle causing a slight oil leak
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance
Neighbouring years
2007 E 350: 351 complaints, keep it.
Every Mercedes-Benz E 350 year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All E 350 years side by side
Other Mercedes-Benz models: Mercedes-Benz AMG E 55 · Mercedes-Benz C 230 · Mercedes-Benz C 250 · Mercedes-Benz C 300 · Mercedes-Benz C 320 · Mercedes-Benz C 350 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz E 300 · Mercedes-Benz E 320 · Mercedes-Benz E 500 · Mercedes-Benz E 550 · Mercedes-Benz GL 450 · Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 · Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 · Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 · Mercedes-Benz ML 320 · Mercedes-Benz ML 350 · Mercedes-Benz Metris · Mercedes-Benz R 350 · Mercedes-Benz S 430 · Mercedes-Benz S 500 · Mercedes-Benz S 550 · Mercedes-Benz S Class · Mercedes-Benz SL 500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E 350 a bad year?
400 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 71, 7.1× a quiet E 350 year. At 92,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 67k–119k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E 350?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (219), engine (71), brakes (54), transmission and drivetrain (37), electrical system (19). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 67k–119k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E 350 have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 24V-874), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 22V-954), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 21V-196), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 19V-918). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.