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Mercedes-Benz E320Model year report

2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems

Complaints
41filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
91,468miles, 33 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
27 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl · diesel RWD · 23 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320. The part named most often is brakes, with 17 complaints (41% of the total), followed by fuel system (9) and air bags (6). 33 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 91,468 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 104 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 11 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: Steering (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “While driving I got this warning brake service brake visit workshop.(color black) I went to a certified mercedes benz shop and got a computer diagnosis stating that the problem was in the power supply accumulation of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) and was advised to take the car to a dealer, I never received from Mercedes-Benz a letter about a recall of this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10763421, filed 2015-09, 91,468 miles

Fuel system: “My 2006 e class 320 mercedes had a strong odor of gasoline. I took it to the dealer and they said it is a fuel sending unit problem I have read that this is a problem with this car and I should let you know that I have this problem. I am being told I have to pay $1000.00 + for this repair are they supposed to cover this? I also read there is a recall on this car voluntary emissions recall # 2008-020001 can you please advise me I am very concerned.”

NHTSA complaint #10643110, filed 2014-10, 31,000 miles

Air bags: “I was involved in an accident sat. April 9, 2016. I struck another vehicle that was stopped dead still in the road. My air bags did not deploy . I was traveling at a speed over 30 miles an hour but less than 45 MPH and the impact was dead on, no glancing blow. The accident happened on a state highway about 10 p.m.”

NHTSA complaint #10855019, filed 2016-04, 125,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “During renewal of headlamp bulbs I found that insulation had broken off leaving substantial portion of bare conductors. Wires are in close proximity to each other and if they touch there is the possibility of loss of lighting or electrical fire. Should this occur, while driving on a dark road, it likecould result in catastrophic crash. This is commonly discussed by owners in the Mercedes-Benz forums. I am surprised that mercedes has not been forced to recall w211s from 2003 to 2009 model years.”

NHTSA complaint #10704589, filed 2015-04, 51,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 33 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 136,042 miles.

6%0–103%10–259%25–5015%50–7518%75–10033%100–15015%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (33 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 91,468 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.

’07’09’11’13’159’17’19’21
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 E320. 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
E-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 E320 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
E320 Cdi RWD3.2L 6-cyl · diesel5-speed automatic233327$3,550

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 E320 → · 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. 104 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 104 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2009862,2093—26—Not enough data
200810120,0003—26—Not enough data
20071785,5514—26—Falling
20064191,4684—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200523185,5003—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200420396,5002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200321499,8502—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20022385,9920—21—Falling
20013889,5000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200044155,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19998385,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983799,9000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199763115,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199645110,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199596107,5000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199411146,7540—19—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz E320 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 have?

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 17 complaints (41% of the total), followed by fuel system with 9.

Has the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 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 E320 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 (E320 Cdi, 3.2L 6-cyl · diesel) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 reported?

Among the 33 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 91,468 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 136,042 miles; 18% 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.