2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 power train problems
37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The engine in these cars are defective and can cause serious harm due to a part that was put inside the motor made of plastic. There was a lawsuit but if you didn’t get in on it you losses out for not knowing. I was recently at Mercedes dealership to fix recalls and they brushed me off. The car can…”
filed Aug 29, 2024
“2006 mercedes ml350 balance shaft - class action lawsuit - defective. Went into low gear while running. Will not come back to normal. Code from diagnosis states the problem as timing chain. Mercedes states " maybe fixed in good faith" . Bad balance shaft from factory. Many problems with this…”
filed Feb 12, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
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 direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause…
LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 14, 2026Complaint 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 (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in…
LI33.30-P-056665 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 15, 2025
Power Train problems in other E350 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 E350 | 5 | 10% |
| 2015 E350 | 1 | 3% |
| 2014 E350 | 15 | 5% |
| 2013 E350 | 7 | 4% |
| 2012 E350 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 E350 | 6 | 3% |
| 2010 E350 | 14 | 8% |
| 2009 E350 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 E350 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 E350 | 21 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.