2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 10%of 41 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320, 10% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I changed the low beam halogen bulbs in my headlights when I discovered that the wire leads to the bulb had lost nearly all of their insulation, exposing bare wire. The insulation flakes were sitting in the bottom of the capsule that contains the light assembly, which is normally closed, accessed by a removable door . Both headlights had this same issue. This is an obvious sparking/fire danger, so I applied electrical tape over the wires. Had I not changed the bulbs [they lose brightness over the years], I would have been unaware of this danger. …”
NHTSA complaint #10495250, filed 2013-01, 60,000 miles“The insulation covering the electrical wiring that powers the low beam headlights on both passenger and driver sides has failed and crumbled away exposing the bare copper wire. This circuit powers two halogen 55 watt bulbs (110 watts total or ~10 amps) at 12 volts. The insulation failure will present an immediate vehicle fire hazard if the electrical protection fuse fails to actuate as a result of the short circuit created by potential bare wire contact. …”
NHTSA complaint #10807129, filed 2015-11, 159,000 miles“In my opinion, the NHTSA dropped the ball when they approved the hid automobile headlight system on some newer model cars. The glare these headlights produce is very disturbing and in my opinion,this standard should be revisited again by the NHTSA, and revised with new anti-glare parameters.”
NHTSA complaint #10178479, filed 2007-01Related service bulletins
- 11031580Apr 16, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029959Mar 9, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029062Feb 25, 2026Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11029025Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11028989Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11008323Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamps fogged or droplets forming. Cause Due to its outlet openings, the headlamp is an "open system". This means that acidic gases, moisture, dirt and exhaust gases…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 13% |
| 2000 | 4 | 9% |
| 1999 | 3 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320
17 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology