Skip to content
Mercedes-Benz C280Model year report

2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
94,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280. The part named most often is engine, with 13 complaints (45% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (6) and air bags (5). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 7% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “While trying to merge on the highway the car response slowly when trying to accelerate to highway speed the engine over rev's but no power the same happens when changing lanes. While reversing out of a driveway the car locked up both the engine and steering wheel would not I had to turn in on and off several times and the put it back in drive before I was able to finally reverse this incident placed my life in danger because when the car locked up half of it was on the driveway and the other half in the street impeding traffic. …”

NHTSA complaint #11405096, filed 2021-03, 135,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The car has a balance shaft issue like many w272 engines...we need to find a way to get mercedes into another class action lawsuit...this issue will cost me about 5000 dollars to fix...otherwise.”

NHTSA complaint #10532092, filed 2013-07, 94,000 miles

Air bags: “Tamara recall I have not been notified if my vehicle is included in the latest airbag recalls. Howeher, the srs light remains constant and my steering wheel controls don't work as well as wipers. At the time I heard a loud pop in car it was stationary at a gas station.”

NHTSA complaint #11053612, filed 2017-12

Other or unknown: “Vehicle check engine light keeps coming on with a p0015 code which indicates a camshaft problem. Numerous complaints found online regarding same year, make and model for this vehicle. It could cause the car to stall, not shift gears and other issues suddenly.”

NHTSA complaint #10862268, filed 2016-04, 60,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

7% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 109,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–257%25–5013%50–7533%75–10040%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 94,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’09’12’14’16’18’214’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
C-Class · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C280 RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic182621$3,900
C280 4matic 4WD/AWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C280

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20075661,5004—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20062994,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19993476,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199815182,8730—21—Stable
1997785,2250—20—Not enough data
199516142,0000—20—Falling
19949167,5000—20—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz C280 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 13 complaints (45% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 6.

Has the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 (C280, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 109,000 miles; 7% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.