2006 Mercedes Benz E500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (16) · Fuel System, Gasoline (11) · Wheels (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz E500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
44 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V196000 · 11,356 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon AMG vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Service bulletins (97)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint 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 any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 97 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-11 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister · 77,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz e500. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a fuel leak, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. a diagnostic test revealed an evaporative emissions (evap) control system leak. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. the…”
2025-01-31 · Seat Belts“my father and mother were driving back home on the evening of 1/29/25 when all of a sudden they heard a loud pop/explosion and their seat belts tightened. they were traveling at a speed of approximately 35 mph on local roads. there was no accident, collision, or warning signs, but the driver's side airbags, left side of the car, deployed. the mes…”
2024-10-17 · Visibility · 114,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz e 500. the contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, she noticed arrows were pointing at the sunroof. the contact stated that the failure was due to nhtsa campaign number: 22v954000 (visibility). the vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. the vehicle was taken to an …”
2024-07-29 · Electrical System“undergoing changing of front lights, wires under hood leading to the lights were found to be completely exposed in areas. the protective covering had disintegrated off, causing risk of fire or explosion from bare wires touching. …”
2020-12-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 119,300 mi“very strong fuel odor present inside and outside vehicle after being driven. smell prominent at left rear wheel well.…”
2020-01-14 · Power Train · 92,000 mi“this has actually happened 2x already-i was stationary at a light and when i went to accelerate the car stalled and would not start back up. there where many cars behind me and my car would not move. i turned car off and then it finally restarted and i was able to pull over on the side of the road . i was terrified. the second time the car was …”
2020-01-14 · Unknown Or Other“i just wanted to say that i am the origional owner and this is an e500 . i do not want anyone to get hurt so i am reporting. i do have all receipts.…”
2020-01-14 · Visibility/Wiper · 80,000 mi“i have had the same thing lately with my car as recall dated 12/20/2019. my sunroof has been leaking a little all the liner in my car is starting to fall down. it started with the sunroof and the mechanical part of the roof is deteriorating. i had to take off the panel for the sunroof because it was molding and not closing properly.…”
2020-01-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 80,000 mi“also i have had the exact same thing happen to me in the recall dated 3/15/2013. after taking a long trip up to san francisco when i got home my oil tank was leaking -there was a strong odor of gasoline coming from my backseat. i took it in to the dealer they replaced my fuel tank but before they did that they sent me on the road without fixing an…”
2019-10-15 · Wheels · 86,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz e500. while driving approximately 45 mph, the front driver's side tire struck an object and caused four air bags to deploy. the tire was destroyed on impact, but the vehicle was not damaged at all. there were no injuries. the contact called mercedes-benz of coconut creek at 954-406-1167 (located at 4250 n. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.