2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 9%of 400 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,740miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350, 9% of the 400 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,740 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine/transmission was acting jerky and suddenly the car lost power to engine and the car broke on it's own doing causing the vehicle to swerve into the other lane. Luckily there were no cars behind or to the side of me as this would have surely caused an accident. Currently there is a class action law suit in place specifically to the engine in my car and the part at fault.”
NHTSA complaint #10426640, filed 2011-09, 72,000 miles“On the way to work, the check engine light went on. After a few miles, at an intersection, my car jerked and I didn't have enough time to make the signal light. I decided to go back. After I shifted to reverse, the car didn't move back and stopped there totally. I had to turn off the engine and restarted, the car worked. I took the car to the dealer right away, it needs entire valve body/conductor plate assy-replace and retest and total cost is $2000.”
NHTSA complaint #10622316, filed 2014-08, 71,794 miles“There is a serious safety issue with 2006 Mercedes-Benz e class (mbec) because of a manufacturer's and/or design defect which causes this vehicle to not go into proper gear and/or stall suddenly putting the public at risk. I barely escaped being smashed into by oncoming traffic while making a routine left hand turn into a gas station because my mbec was stuck in gear and did not accelerate as it was manufactured and designed to do but rather sputtered at less than 5 miles per hour (MPH). …”
NHTSA complaint #10695497, filed 2015-03, 103,586 miles“While driving on us 50 my the sbc failed while driving 60mph I had no brakes the indicators told me to turn the vehicle off and to depress brakes fully. That's hard to do whn ur going 60mph... So I had to let the vehicle drift until it came to a stop on the side of the highway... Please get mb to correct this problem before someone loses their life... After this incident my check engine light came on had the vehicle diagnosed the independent mechanic said as a result of the engine revving so high when the breaks failed I got trouble codes p0016 and p0017.. Related to the balance shaft... …”
NHTSA complaint #11291831, filed 2019-12, 144,000 miles“2006 mercedes E350. Check engine light on at 83,000 miles. Diagnostic code and inspection finds camshaft premature wear requiring full engine removal and replacement of parts. Service bulletin issued by mercedes and also search of internet finds numerous complaints of this problem. Class action lawsuit filed on this issue. My independent, mercedes only garage, is charging me at least $4200 to repair and vehicle will be unavailable for use for approximately ten days.”
NHTSA complaint #10422741, filed 2011-08, 83,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10056470Jul 24, 2014Xentry (mercedes): combination of fault codes p060c00 and/or p060600, causing various transmission symptoms due to central processing unit, software induced internal control unit…
- 10038976Apr 7, 2011Mercedes-benz: the vehicle jerks or has hard skipping shifts. There are many possible fault codes. The torque converter lockup clutch has a clogged filter.
- 10032709Aug 13, 2009Mercedes: cracking/creaking noises from front axle when vehicle is subject to torsion or when steering wheel is turned. This is mainly heard when the vehicle is stationary or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 11% |
| 2021 | 3 | 23% |
| 2020 | 1 | 13% |
| 2016 | 5 | 10% |
| 2015 | 1 | 3% |
| 2014 | 15 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% |
| 2010 | 14 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 21 | 6% |
| 2006 | 37 | 9% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350
219 complaintsBrakes
54 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350
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