U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Mercedes Benz E500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

50 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

79,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 44 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 50 complaints (32.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	19	38.0%
Braking behavior	4	8.0%
Electrical and battery issues	3	6.0%
Steering behavior	2	4.0%
Engine operation	1	2.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel/Propulsion System

Fuel System, Gasoline

Air Bags

Wheels

Suspension

Electrical System

Power Train

Service Brakes

Fuel/Propulsion System: 16; Fuel System, Gasoline: 12; Air Bags: 4; Wheels: 4; Suspension: 3; Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 1

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2006

2008

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2024

2025

2026

2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 7; 2013: 7; 2014: 8; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10366573 · 2010-11-17 (November 17, 2010)

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF CAR FOR 2-3 DAYS AFTER GAS FILL UP. CAR INTO MERCEDES BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FL. OCT. 10, 2010. REPLACED L/SIDE FUEL SENDER UNIT. STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE REMAINED SO STRONG COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS OR PARK IN GARAGE. CAR BACK TO MERCEDES NOV. 5, 2010. DIAGNOSIS - FAULTY GAS TANK VENT. REPLACED GAS TANK GOT CAR BACK NOV. 13, 2010. REPAIRS WELL OVER $2000. EVEN THOUGH CAR EMITTED GAS SMELL DETECTABLE FROM 50 FEET, AND CLEARLY UNHEALTHY TO DRIVE, NOT CONSIDERED EMISSION ISSUE. M…

Owner-reported narrative. 39,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366573 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10451814 · 2012-03-15 (March 15, 2012)

FUEL SMELL INSIDE CABIN AFTER REFILLING TO 100% CAPACITY. ONLY GOES AWAY ONCE CAR HAS CROSSED 3/4 TANK WHICH IS NORMALLY ABOUT 75 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE THIS, I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED INTO AS MUCH AS I COULD, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY MECHANIC PULL THE FUEL TANK TO DIAGNOSE FURTHER. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND FIXED. NORMALLY MERCEDES IS EXCELLENT WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY ISSUES, I'D THINK THEY'D TAKE THIS A BIT MORE SERIOUSLY. THIS INVESTIGATION IS RELATED TO ACTION NUMBER PE12001. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451814 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10151553 · 2006-03-01 (March 1, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS, AND STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THERE WAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARDER AND THERE WAS SLIGHT POWER AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE TURNED OFF AND ON TO RESTORE BRAKING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE STOPPING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WA…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151553 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10239915 · 2008-08-27 (August 27, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SUBFRAME FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS UNSTABLE AND WOULD SWAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE WELD OF THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE WATER DAMAGE, THE WARRANTY WAS VOID AND WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 21,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239915 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10450572 · 2012-03-07 (March 7, 2012)

THE INTERIOR CABIN OF MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500 HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE, ESPECIALLY AFTER REFUELING. RECENTLY, I GET HEADACHES AND DIZZY WHEN DRIVING, SO I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET RID OF THE SMELL. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM TO MULTIPLE MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTERS AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO DANGER BUT IF I WANTED THE SMELL TO GO AWAY, IT WOULD COST ME APPX $2000. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGER WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE FUMES CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO PASS OUT, OR A SPARK IN THE CAR POSSIBLY FROM A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CIGAR…

Owner-reported narrative. 99,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450572 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10621793 · 2014-08-12 (August 12, 2014)

ON 7/23/14, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF MY CAR AFTER REFUELING. I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED W211 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500 FROM MERCEDES-BENZ GREENWAY. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS ODOR ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING MAY BE RELATED TO A PROBLEM BEING SEEN IN NUMEROUS MERCEDES BENZ E-MODEL VEHICLES. AS ADVISED BY THE OTHER OWNERS HAVING THIS ISSUE, I DETACHED THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FROM THE CAR AND REMOVED THE BOLTS FROM THE CIRCULAR ACCESS PANEL THAT COVERS A PORTION OF …

Owner-reported narrative. 161,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621793 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10909699 · 2016-09-26 (September 26, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT WANTED TO USE THE EMAIL THAT HE SENT TO THE HOTLINE FOR HIS COMPLAINT. "THE DOCUMENTED ISSUE OCCURRED WHEN MY CAR TURNED 8 OR 9 YEARS OLD (2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500 IN MINT CONDITION WITH 82,000 MILES) WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHTS INTERMITTEDLY COMES ON. NOW, IT IS ON NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THAT OF A WEIGHT SENSOR, AND SAID WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON, ALL AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF AND WILL NOT DEPLOY. NOW IT IS NEARING 10 YEARS OLD AND AM STILL TRYING TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IT UNDER…

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10909699 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11149965 · 2018-11-07 (November 7, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY LOOSE AND FAILED TO TURN. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER (A BETTER WAY WHOLESALE, 423 WEBER AVE NAUGATUCK, CT) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11149965 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11299230 · 2020-01-14 (January 14, 2020)

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 ACTUALLY MOVING AND THEN JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES AND SINCE NOTHING CAME UP ON MY DASH THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. I AM TERRIFIED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299230 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

50 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

88.0%Usable mileage44 / 50 records

100.0%Valid incident date50 / 50 records

100.0%Valid filing date50 / 50 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates50 / 50 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Fuel/Propulsion System	2721.6% ODI 10459332 AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK GAS STARTED TO DRIP FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FLOOR. *TT Look up ODI 10459332 at NHTSA ↗	5639.4% ODI 10468809 · 53,000 mi AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH GAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IS PRESENT. YOU SMELL THE ODOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE GAS GOES BELOW ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK THE SMELL IS NO LONGER PRESENT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR Look up ODI 10468809 at NHTSA ↗	5539.3% ODI 10458733 · 70,000 mi I STARTED SMELLING A STONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK ON THIS CAR. AFTER THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 50 MILES, THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. TODAY, MAY 16, 2012, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DENVER MECEDES DEALER TO ASK ABOUT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK, NEXT TO THE TOP LEFT FUEL PUMP. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM RELATED TO YOUR INVESTIGATION ON PE 12-001. THE DEALER ASKED FOR $2000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM WAITING FOR THE REPAIR PENDING THIS INVESTIGATION AND MERCEDES RESPONSE. Look up ODI 10458733 at NHTSA ↗	1632.0% ODI 10469587 FUEL TANK CRACKED. UNEXPLAINED, AND CONFIRMED BY DEALER. FUMES LEAK FROM EXTERIOR (CAN DETECTED WHEN TANK IS NEAR CAPACITY). CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. MB SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TANK. PE12001 (RELATED CASE IT WOULD SEEM) -- E CLASS. *TR Look up ODI 10469587 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11485122 I HAVE A SMELL OF FUEL ON THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE WHEEL. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A FUEL LEAK FROM EITHER THE FUEL FILTER MODULE OR IT IS A TANK LEAK. I TOOK OFF THE REAR CUSHION AND WE CAN SEE AND SMELL FUEL VISIBLY ON THE LEFT SIDE UNDER THE SEAT QUESHON AND OVER THE FUEL FILTER MODULE. SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE 2003-2006 E CLASS AND THE 2006 CLS CLASS VEHICLE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE SEEN ONLINE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE. I THINK IT WILL BE A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE INVESTIG… Look up ODI 11485122 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10644832 · 84,300 mi WHEN FILLING GAS TANK TO FULL, CAR SMELLS OF GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10644832 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10637130 · 126,000 mi MY E500 STARTED TO SMELL HORRIBLE AFTER ADDING FUEL, NOW MY VEHICLE SMELLS ALL THE TIME OF GAS THE FUMES ARE HORRIBLE. I AM CALLING MERCEDES IN THE MORNING, I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS, DEFINITELY CAN'T BE SAFE. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP THE FUMES ARE SO BAD. *TR Look up ODI 10637130 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	2923.2% ODI 10500903 · 131,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH FORCE AND SEIZED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ABS ANTILOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. Look up ODI 10500903 at NHTSA ↗	1913.4% ODI 10615041 · 140,510 mi WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DASH WARNING SYSTEM TURNED BRIGHT RED WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD COMPLETELY FAILED, SHE HAD NO BRAKES. SHE LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO HELP SLOW THE VEHICLE AS SHE SLOWED DOWN SHE PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE SLOWLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND SHIFTED IT INTO PARK. SHE THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND CYCLED THE IGNITION KEY. THERE WAS NO LON… Look up ODI 10615041 at NHTSA ↗	3424.3% ODI 10554401 · 89,000 mi DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES GOING DOWNHILL IN PREPARATION TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. RED BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN. DRIVER VEERED OFF ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND FULLY APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON AGAIN, RED LIGHT IN DASH WAS GONE, NO WARNINGS EXISTED, AND BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY. WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN NOVEMBER 2013 WITH 115,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY). SLOWLY DROVE VEHICLE TO… Look up ODI 10554401 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10819468 · 127,209 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OFF THE FRWY AND WAS TURNING ON THE RAMP WHEN MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING Look up ODI 10819468 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	1411.2% ODI 10433623 · 40,000 mi STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I FILL UP AND UNTIL I DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY A GERMAN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT IT IS A CRACKED GAS TANK AND THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES E-CLASS MODELS FROM 2003-2005. THE SMELL APPEARS TO BE EMANATING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE IN EUROPE AND ASIA BUT THAT MERCEDES NEVER ISSUED A RECALL IN THE US FOR THIS ISSUE DESPITE BEING EXTREMELY PERVASIVE. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR AND I AM INCREASINGLY CONCERNE… Look up ODI 10433623 at NHTSA ↗	2618.3% ODI 10102689 · 1,500 mi TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR : THE FUEL CANISTER TOUCHES THE CHASIS AND MAKE LOUD TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR, REPORTED THIS TO MBUSA AND REPERESETATIVE PUT INSULATION AROUND FUEL CANISTER AND WHICH IS NOT SAFE. *JB Look up ODI 10102689 at NHTSA ↗	2014.3% ODI 10281194 · 61,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 E500 MERCEDES BENZ. A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND IN HIS GARAGE. FUEL ALSO LEAKS OUT OF THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. Look up ODI 10281194 at NHTSA ↗	1224.0% ODI 10366573 · 39,700 mi STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF CAR FOR 2-3 DAYS AFTER GAS FILL UP. CAR INTO MERCEDES BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FL. OCT. 10, 2010. REPLACED L/SIDE FUEL SENDER UNIT. STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE REMAINED SO STRONG COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS OR PARK IN GARAGE. CAR BACK TO MERCEDES NOV. 5, 2010. DIAGNOSIS - FAULTY GAS TANK VENT. REPLACED GAS TANK GOT CAR BACK NOV. 13, 2010. REPAIRS WELL OVER $2000. EVEN THOUGH CAR EMITTED GAS SMELL DETECTABLE FROM 50 FEET, AND CLEARLY UNHEALTHY TO DRIVE, NOT CONSIDERED EMISSION ISSUE. M… Look up ODI 10366573 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	1310.4% ODI 10381948 · 66,002 mi BOTH FRONT AND REAR AIR SHOCKS WENT WITHIN 2000 MILES OF EACH OTHER 64000 AND 66000 MILES. THESE SHOCKS ARE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ARE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THEY WERE NOT ENGINEERED PROPERLY OR THEY SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. MERCEDES WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT.. Look up ODI 10381948 at NHTSA ↗	2014.1% ODI 10330982 · 108,000 mi THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES - FIRST IN MARCH 2010, THEN APRIL 2010, AND NOW MAY 2010. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE FIRST 2 INCIDENTS. THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DROPPED AND THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. IT IS NOW DROPPING ON THE RIGHT AGAIN, AND PULLS STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. SERVICE WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEALER. EVEN THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYSTEM FAILS, AND FAILS IN A MANNER IN WHICH THE WHOLE … Look up ODI 10330982 at NHTSA ↗	96.4% ODI 10472664 · 21,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT THE MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,600. Look up ODI 10472664 at NHTSA ↗	36.0% ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	21.6% ODI 11004205 · 152,801 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH HOUSTON LOCATED IN HOUSTON, TEXAS) WHO INDICATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC SBC BRAKE PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SBC BRAKE PUMP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2011. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING, SEVERAL WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED, INCLUDING THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WAR… Look up ODI 11004205 at NHTSA ↗	74.9% ODI 10091345 · 11,400 mi ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE FROM AIRCRAFT CAUSED LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN PARKED AT AIRPORT AND DRAINED BATTERY. CAR PARKED MORNING OF 9/4/04. SINGLE INCIDENT OF CAR ALARM REPORTED EVENING OF 9/6/04. RETURNED TO CAR 9/11/04 AND FOUND LIGHTS IN OFF POSITION AND BATTERY DRAINED. *AK Look up ODI 10091345 at NHTSA ↗	64.3% ODI 10331313 · 77,100 mi DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN AN ALERT THAT THE SRS SYSTEM HAD DETECTED A FAILURE AND LIT UP ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER. HAD A AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES SHOP READ CODES WHICH WERE: FAILURE OF SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON A 2005 MERCEDES E500 WAGON. THE "SRS" LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MERCEDES DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT SENDS AND RECEIVES DATA TO DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG 1 CAUSED A FAILURE IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SQUIB FOR THE AFFECTED AIRBAG. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IN THE E… Look up ODI 10331313 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10896312 · 105,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE CLUSTER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE CLUSTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. Look up ODI 10896312 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	10.8% ODI 10808274 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBINE SENSOR, THE WHEEL, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND THE COIL PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH… Look up ODI 10808274 at NHTSA ↗	74.9% ODI 10504055 · 105,000 mi AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. *TR Look up ODI 10504055 at NHTSA ↗	85.7% ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	75.6% ODI 10121208 DT: THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT ON OCT. 21 2004 HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR A SAFETY RECALL TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 2004050014-SBS. THE RECALL WAS REGARDING THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE LINE FROM THE BRAKE FLUID LOOKS AS THOUGH IT HAS BEEN CUT AND IT LOOKED LIKE ELECTRICAL TAPE HAD BEEN PLACED AROUND IT WERE THE CUT WAS LOCATED. HE TALKED TO MERCEDES AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK WITH HIM YET. HE HAS ALSO REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT UNIT WHICH CONTROLS ALL THE LIGHTS. *JB Look up ODI 10121208 at NHTSA ↗	53.5% ODI 10117540 2004 500E ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *NO ANSWER REQUIRED. MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS THAT WHEN ALL BRAKES ARE LOCKED, IT WILL THEN PULSATE THE BRAKES SO THAT THE DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE TO. THE CONSUMER STATED ON HIS VEHICLE THE BRAKES SYSTEM COULD LOCK WITHOUT PULSING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKES DID NOT LOCK AND THE BAS DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. *JB Look up ODI 10117540 at NHTSA ↗	42.9% ODI 10395727 · 68,056 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN; THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC UNIT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V133000, SERVICE BRAKES H… Look up ODI 10395727 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10151553 · 100 mi DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS, AND STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THERE WAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARDER AND THERE WAS SLIGHT POWER AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE TURNED OFF AND ON TO RESTORE BRAKING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE STOPPING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WA… Look up ODI 10151553 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	64.8% ODI 10137154 I HAD AN ACCIDENT TODAY THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER WHERE ANOTHER CAR CRASHED INTO ME CAUSED CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. THE OTHER CAR WAS GOING AT LEAST 40-50 MPH. THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT AS DAMAGED AS MINE AND NO INJURIES RESULTED YET. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. *NM Look up ODI 10137154 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	53.6% ODI 10777865 · 100,102 mi I AM REFERENCING A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN P-B-91.60/99E. THE CONTROL CLUSTER SHOWS SRS LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A MERCEDES DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE CARE ANALYZED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED MY CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES: DTC 9103 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/13 IS TOO HIGH) AND DTC 9123 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/14 IS TOO HIGH). BOTH PERTAINING TO A FAULTY SCM HARNESS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS DANGEROUS AN… Look up ODI 10777865 at NHTSA ↗	48.0% ODI 10836703 · 143,619 mi THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL AS A REGISTERED OWNER AND THE RECALL EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. Look up ODI 10836703 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Fuel/Propulsion System	72,750–112,525 mi	79,000 mi	14	ODI 10473223 · 65,000 mi I NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN MY 2006 E500. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG INSIDE THE CABIN AND MY VEHICLE ALWAYS STAYS IN THE GARAGE. WHEN I WALK INTO THE GARAGE I ALSO SMELL A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR. I HAD SIMILAR SMELL 2 YEARS AGO AND GOT IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE FUEL TANK OPENING UNDER THE REAR SEAT WAS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED AND LEAKED THE GAS. THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT AND ALSO REPLACED ANY INSULATION THAT WAS THERE THE TO ENSURE SMELL COMPLETELY GOES AWAY. FOR A WHILE I WAS NOT GETTING THE SMELL BUT IT SUDDENLY STARTED COMING AND IT IS… Look up ODI 10473223 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10486195 · 72,000 mi GAS SMELL INSIDE OF THE CAR, VERY CONCERNED. NHTSA ACTION# PE12001. TR Look up ODI 10486195 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10495100 · 130,250 mi STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK AT STATION. SMELL WENT AWAY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES. TR Look up ODI 10495100 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	62,025–93,857 mi	78,160 mi	12	ODI 10366573 · 39,700 mi STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF CAR FOR 2-3 DAYS AFTER GAS FILL UP. CAR INTO MERCEDES BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FL. OCT. 10, 2010. REPLACED L/SIDE FUEL SENDER UNIT. STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE REMAINED SO STRONG COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS OR PARK IN GARAGE. CAR BACK TO MERCEDES NOV. 5, 2010. DIAGNOSIS - FAULTY GAS TANK VENT. REPLACED GAS TANK GOT CAR BACK NOV. 13, 2010. REPAIRS WELL OVER $2000. EVEN THOUGH CAR EMITTED GAS SMELL DETECTABLE FROM 50 FEET, AND CLEARLY UNHEALTHY TO DRIVE, NOT CONSIDERED EMISSION ISSUE. M… Look up ODI 10366573 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10450572 · 99,999 mi THE INTERIOR CABIN OF MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500 HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE, ESPECIALLY AFTER REFUELING. RECENTLY, I GET HEADACHES AND DIZZY WHEN DRIVING, SO I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET RID OF THE SMELL. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM TO MULTIPLE MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTERS AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO DANGER BUT IF I WANTED THE SMELL TO GO AWAY, IT WOULD COST ME APPX $2000. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGER WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE FUMES CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO PASS OUT, OR A SPARK IN THE CAR POSSIBLY FROM A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CIGAR… Look up ODI 10450572 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10451814 · 66,000 mi FUEL SMELL INSIDE CABIN AFTER REFILLING TO 100% CAPACITY. ONLY GOES AWAY ONCE CAR HAS CROSSED 3/4 TANK WHICH IS NORMALLY ABOUT 75 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE THIS, I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED INTO AS MUCH AS I COULD, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY MECHANIC PULL THE FUEL TANK TO DIAGNOSE FURTHER. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND FIXED. NORMALLY MERCEDES IS EXCELLENT WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY ISSUES, I'D THINK THEY'D TAKE THIS A BIT MORE SERIOUSLY. THIS INVESTIGATION IS RELATED TO ACTION NUMBER PE12001. *TR Look up ODI 10451814 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	86,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10836703 · 143,619 mi THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL AS A REGISTERED OWNER AND THE RECALL EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. Look up ODI 10836703 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10909699 · 82,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT WANTED TO USE THE EMAIL THAT HE SENT TO THE HOTLINE FOR HIS COMPLAINT. "THE DOCUMENTED ISSUE OCCURRED WHEN MY CAR TURNED 8 OR 9 YEARS OLD (2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500 IN MINT CONDITION WITH 82,000 MILES) WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHTS INTERMITTEDLY COMES ON. NOW, IT IS ON NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THAT OF A WEIGHT SENSOR, AND SAID WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON, ALL AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF AND WILL NOT DEPLOY. NOW IT IS NEARING 10 YEARS OLD AND AM STILL TRYING TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IT UNDER… Look up ODI 10909699 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11268700 · 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 [phone removed] (LOCATED AT 4250 N. STATE ROAD 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REF… Look up ODI 11268700 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	Too few reports for a range	76,622 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10314616 · 34,350 mi ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED FLAT TIRES DUE TO A CRACK IN THE WHEEL/RIM. I BELIEVE THE OEM RIMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE AS IT IS UNCHARACTERISTIC FOR A RIM TO CRACK, AND TO HAVE IT OCCUR TWICE IS EXTRAORDINARY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A RESULT OF HITTING A POTHOLE, ETC. THE RESULTING FLAT TIRE WHICH OCCURRED ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY CAUSED A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. IN EACH CASE, DUE TO TIRE DAMAGE, I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE TIRE AND THE WHEEL/RIM AT A COST OF OVER $600 PER EVENT, OR ABOUT $1,200 TOTAL.… Look up ODI 10314616 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10399323 · 71,243 mi NORMAL DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS.CRACK IN ALLOY WHEEL (INSIDE EDGE) LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. MERCEDES 2006 E500 3RD INCIDENT IN PAST TWO YEARS, RESULTING IN NEED TO REPLACE. 1 TIRE & 3 ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS MERCEDES # A2114011702. *TR Look up ODI 10399323 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	41,010 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10956706 · 20 mi CAR AIR BAGS NOT ADJUSTING CAR. Look up ODI 10956706 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	105,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10896312 · 105,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE CLUSTER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE CLUSTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. Look up ODI 10896312 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	46,010 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10956706 · 20 mi CAR AIR BAGS NOT ADJUSTING CAR. Look up ODI 10956706 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11299230 · 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 ACTUALLY MOVING AND THEN JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES AND SINCE NOTHING CAME UP ON MY DASH THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. I AM TERRIFIED T… Look up ODI 11299230 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	98,605 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10819468 · 127,209 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OFF THE FRWY AND WAS TURNING ON THE RAMP WHEN MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING Look up ODI 10819468 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10823149 · 70,000 mi ON JANUARY 29, 2016, I WAS GOING TOWARDS THE EXIT OF MY DEVELOPMENT BUT BEFORE I GOT TO A MAIN ROAD (I WAS TRAVELING SLOWLY ABOUT 20 MPH AND DRIVING STRAIGHT) I WAS USING BRAKES AND RED MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASH BOARD STATING REDUCED BRAKE POWER AND TO DEPRESS BAKE PEDAL WHICH I DID BUT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR KEPT MOVING SO I LET THE CAR MOVE INTO THE CURB WHERE THERE WAS SNOW. I TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND THE WARNING MESSAGE WAS NO LONGER DISPLAYED AND CAR FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. I CALLED MB DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPE… Look up ODI 10823149 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	24V874000	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	1	None	ODI 11639842 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 message on the odometer said SRS Restraint system malfunction. The car is a 2006 Mercedes E500 with 58,900 miles having one owner and all maintenance performed on time. This is a high safety concern as… Look up ODI 11639842 at NHTSA ↗
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	1	None	ODI 11723628 · 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 manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. Look up ODI 11723628 at NHTSA ↗
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2008	0	0	0
2009	0	0	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2008	1	0	0
2009	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Fuel/Propulsion System	Fuel System, Gasoline	Air Bags	Wheels	Suspension	Electrical System	Power Train	Service Brakes
Fuel/Propulsion System	—	1 ODI 10937034 · 80,000 mi AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, WHILED STOPPED, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVIDENT. THE SMALL SEEMS TO ORIGINATE NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. SOMETIME IT'S DETECTABLE INSIDE THE CAR, BUT MOSTLY IT'S READILY APPARENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 10-30 MILES, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. *TR Look up ODI 10937034 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	1 ODI 10937034 · 80,000 mi AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, WHILED STOPPED, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVIDENT. THE SMALL SEEMS TO ORIGINATE NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. SOMETIME IT'S DETECTABLE INSIDE THE CAR, BUT MOSTLY IT'S READILY APPARENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 10-30 MILES, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. *TR Look up ODI 10937034 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	0	—	1 ODI 11268700 · 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 [phone removed] (LOCATED AT 4250 N. STATE ROAD 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REF… Look up ODI 11268700 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Wheels	0	0	1 ODI 11268700 · 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 [phone removed] (LOCATED AT 4250 N. STATE ROAD 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REF… Look up ODI 11268700 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Suspension	0	0	0	1 ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10956706 · 20 mi CAR AIR BAGS NOT ADJUSTING CAR. Look up ODI 10956706 at NHTSA ↗	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Power Train	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10956706 · 20 mi CAR AIR BAGS NOT ADJUSTING CAR. Look up ODI 10956706 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0
Service Brakes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

12 mentions · 24.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 72,000 mi (11 usable records).

ODI 10366573 · 39,700 mi

Look up ODI 10366573 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10453363 · 50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE FUEL FILTER MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

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ODI 10455065 · 50,100 mi

I RECENTLY NOTICED IN MY 2006 E500 4MATIC THAT AFTER I PUT A FULL TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT. MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND ONCE I ENTER THE GARAGE IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK, ITS VERY STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A GAS LEAK OF SOME SORT. I HAVE A 2 1/2 YEAR OLD SON THAT SITS BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT. THIS GAS LEAK SMELL HAS HAPPENED TO OVER SEVERAL HUNDRED ECLASS VEHICLES. *TR

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Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 4.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 45,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10239915 · 21,000 mi

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ODI 10823149 · 70,000 mi

ON JANUARY 29, 2016, I WAS GOING TOWARDS THE EXIT OF MY DEVELOPMENT BUT BEFORE I GOT TO A MAIN ROAD (I WAS TRAVELING SLOWLY ABOUT 20 MPH AND DRIVING STRAIGHT) I WAS USING BRAKES AND RED MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASH BOARD STATING REDUCED BRAKE POWER AND TO DEPRESS BAKE PEDAL WHICH I DID BUT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR KEPT MOVING SO I LET THE CAR MOVE INTO THE CURB WHERE THERE WAS SNOW. I TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND THE WARNING MESSAGE WAS NO LONGER DISPLAYED AND CAR FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. I CALLED MB DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPE…

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Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 4.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 46,050 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10151553 · 100 mi

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ODI 11299230 · 92,000 mi

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Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 4.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 38,550 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10151553 · 100 mi

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ODI 11723628 · 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 manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

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Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b