MERCEDES-BENZ E320 · model year

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320

49 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006MERCEDES-BENZE320 carries 49 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 E320 is service brakes with 15 filings, followed by air bags (4) and fuel/propulsion system (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2006 E320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

49
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

49 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES15
AIR BAGS4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SUSPENSION2
SEAT BELTS2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE1
TIRES1

Recent Complaints

20210521SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle had a blow out on highway. Pull onto right shoulder doing about 60mph. Pressed the brakes and would not stop. Kept pressing brake and pumping the brakes and would not stop. was going around 50mph on the shoulder. After 15 seconds of pressing the brakes, car decided to brake. Checked brake lines, brake fluid and everything was correct and not leaking and drove the car back home slowly with spare on. ESP and ABS error came on. No other warning came on.

20200701VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200226SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING, WITH SHORT BEEPS , THE SBC IN MY W211 GIVES A SHORT WARNING AND FAILS COMPLETELY. IT IS VERY RISKY TO DRIVE AFTER THAT. WITH SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR THE RELIABILITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. IF THERE IS A RECALL IT WOULD HELP MANY OWNERS.

Mileage: 65,000

20200226ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE DRIVING, WITH SHORT BEEPS , THE SBC IN MY W211 GIVES A SHORT WARNING AND FAILS COMPLETELY. IT IS VERY RISKY TO DRIVE AFTER THAT. WITH SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR THE RELIABILITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. IF THERE IS A RECALL IT WOULD HELP MANY OWNERS.

Mileage: 65,000

20190507SERVICE BRAKES

IN JANUARY 2018, MY CAR HAD DEVELOPED SBC MALFUNCTION ISSUES AND I TOOK IT TO THE AND THEY QUOTED ME $ 2,700+/- TO FIX THE ISSUE. I THEN CALLED MB USA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SBC UNIT WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR 10YRS AND THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED THAT LIMIT. I THEN REACHED OUT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE UNIT FOR $865 (PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED RECEIPT). I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE SBC UNIT FROM MB OF CLEAR LAKE FOR $1,045.70 . THUS, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR REPAIR AND SAVE MY SELF ABOUT $1,000 AS MB WAS NOT COVERING ITS REPAIR. ON SEPTEMBER 2018 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MB USA, INDICATING THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS REIMBURSABLE. I REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY REQUESTED. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR CAN BE REIMBURSED ONLY IF IT WAS DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A FAIRWAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WHEN ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LEGITIMATE REIMBURSABLE. MB I BELIEVE IS NOT ACTING IN G

Mileage: 200,000

20190507UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN JANUARY 2018, MY CAR HAD DEVELOPED SBC MALFUNCTION ISSUES AND I TOOK IT TO THE AND THEY QUOTED ME $ 2,700+/- TO FIX THE ISSUE. I THEN CALLED MB USA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SBC UNIT WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR 10YRS AND THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED THAT LIMIT. I THEN REACHED OUT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE UNIT FOR $865 (PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED RECEIPT). I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE SBC UNIT FROM MB OF CLEAR LAKE FOR $1,045.70 . THUS, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR REPAIR AND SAVE MY SELF ABOUT $1,000 AS MB WAS NOT COVERING ITS REPAIR. ON SEPTEMBER 2018 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MB USA, INDICATING THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS REIMBURSABLE. I REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY REQUESTED. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR CAN BE REIMBURSED ONLY IF IT WAS DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A FAIRWAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WHEN ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LEGITIMATE REIMBURSABLE. MB I BELIEVE IS NOT ACTING IN G

Mileage: 200,000

20181010SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Mileage: 127,000

20170906AIR BAGS

MY AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD JUST LEFT WORK AND DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE WEST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY APPROACHING THE TOLL STATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLY LOUD EXPLOSION AND AND HARD PERCUSSION AS THE AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN PUNCHED OR SHOT IN THE GUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN DROPPED DOWN AND THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BAG DEPLOYED. THE SEATBELT AROUND MY WAIST AND SHOULDER TIGHTENED. FORTUNATELY, I KEPT IT TOGETHER AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, RUN OVER A POTHOLE, SWERVED OR OTHERWISE MAKE ANY SUDDEN DIRECTION CHANGE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY CALLED BY AN OPERATOR ON THE MERCEDES EMERGENCY SYSTEM WITHIN THE CAR. SO MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE INCIDENT AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED. SHE ASKED IF I NEEDED AN AMBULANCE OR POLICE. I TOLD HER THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN AND THAT I WAS PHYSICALLY OK. ADDITIONALLY, I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO STAR MOTOR DEALERSHIP

Mileage: 108,000

20170906SEAT BELTS

MY AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD JUST LEFT WORK AND DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE WEST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY APPROACHING THE TOLL STATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLY LOUD EXPLOSION AND AND HARD PERCUSSION AS THE AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN PUNCHED OR SHOT IN THE GUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN DROPPED DOWN AND THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BAG DEPLOYED. THE SEATBELT AROUND MY WAIST AND SHOULDER TIGHTENED. FORTUNATELY, I KEPT IT TOGETHER AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, RUN OVER A POTHOLE, SWERVED OR OTHERWISE MAKE ANY SUDDEN DIRECTION CHANGE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY CALLED BY AN OPERATOR ON THE MERCEDES EMERGENCY SYSTEM WITHIN THE CAR. SO MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE INCIDENT AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED. SHE ASKED IF I NEEDED AN AMBULANCE OR POLICE. I TOLD HER THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN AND THAT I WAS PHYSICALLY OK. ADDITIONALLY, I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO STAR MOTOR DEALERSHIP

Mileage: 108,000

20170803SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED SO THAT AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED OVER 300,000 TIMES, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC BRAKE UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEARS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SURPASSED THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY SIX MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

Mileage: 149,000

20170111SERVICE BRAKES

CAR HAS "SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM", SBC, THAT UPON FAILURE RENDERS THE CAR UNSAFE AS ONLY THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKES WILL HAVE PARTIAL HYDRAULIC POWER TO STOP THE CAR. REF: MB BULLETIN "S142.46-P-0012A" FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING OR BRAKE DEGRADATION. MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL TRANSITORY FAILURES AS I WAS DRIVING. ONLY TURNING OFF THE KEY AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN DID I REGAIN NORMAL BRAKING. ALSO UPON SBC FAILURE THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH A FUNCTIONING REVERSION TO "HYDRAULIC MODE." MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RECALL AND REPLACE ALL SBC UNITS ASAP TO ELIMINATE THIS "TIME BOMB." *TR

Mileage: 78,000

20160516FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

PERSISTENT SMELL OF DIESEL IN CABIN AFTER FILLING TANK. LEAK ISOLATED TO RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) FUEL SENDER CAP UNDER REAR SEATS. SAME AS GASOLINE VERSIONS, THIS REALLY HAPPENS IN THE CDI OR DIESEL VERSIONS AS WELL. THE WARRANTY EXTENSION/RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO THESE CARS AS WELL!

Mileage: 176,500

20160412CrashAIR 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.

Mileage: 125,000

20160215FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL IS LEAKING OUT OF MY E320 CDI, THERE IS ALSO AN INTENSE FUEL SMELL, IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THAT THE NHTSA PREVIOUSLY ORDERED MERCEDES TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS ON ALL 2003-2009 E-CLASS MERCEDES, BUT MERCEDES SAYS IT ONLY APPLIES TO GASOLINE ENGINES.

Mileage: 112,000

20151127ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. IF THE ELECTRICAL PROTECTION FUSE DOES ACTUATE PROPERLY THE CAR WILL LOSE FORWARD ILLUMINATION WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION AT NIGHT. IN EITHER INSTANCE A PROPERTY AND PERSONAL HAZARD CAN RESULT FROM THIS DEFECT. THIS DEFECT CAN BE TRACED DIRECTLY TO THE WIRE MERCEDES BENZ SELECTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CIRCUITRY. EITHER THE GAUGE OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INSUFFICIENT TO DISSIPATE THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE CURRENT FLOW THE CIRCUIT DEMANDS OR THE INSULATION OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AS EVIDEN

Mileage: 159,000

20151127EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. IF THE ELECTRICAL PROTECTION FUSE DOES ACTUATE PROPERLY THE CAR WILL LOSE FORWARD ILLUMINATION WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION AT NIGHT. IN EITHER INSTANCE A PROPERTY AND PERSONAL HAZARD CAN RESULT FROM THIS DEFECT. THIS DEFECT CAN BE TRACED DIRECTLY TO THE WIRE MERCEDES BENZ SELECTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CIRCUITRY. EITHER THE GAUGE OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INSUFFICIENT TO DISSIPATE THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE CURRENT FLOW THE CIRCUIT DEMANDS OR THE INSULATION OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AS EVIDEN

Mileage: 159,000

20151006SERVICE BRAKES

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. . MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Mileage: 132,998

20150913SERVICE 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.

Mileage: 91,468

20150619SERVICE BRAKES

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Mileage: 151,000

20150409EXTERIOR 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. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

Compare 2006MERCEDES-BENZE320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 have?
The 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 has 49 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320?
The most-complained component for the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 is SERVICE BRAKES with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.