Certain Mercedes-Benz models 2005- 2007 M272 V6 and M273 V8’s have faced or are facing issues regarding the balance sprocket in which drives the camshaft and crankshaft of the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz had made a decision to make certain engine components out of soft metals, when such metals are not adequate in handling the stress of the engine. In particular, in many cases, the balance sprocket was…
2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine problems
severe 52 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
52
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
4fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 52 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 18 model years of Mercedes-Benz E-Class we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 52.
Owners have filed 52 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue is balance shaft sprocket wear in the M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines, reported across 52 complaints. Owners describe spontaneous limp mode, jerking, stalling, and loss of power—sometimes at highway speeds—triggered by premature wear of the sprocket teeth due to soft metal used in manufacturing. Mercedes issued internal service bulletins as early as April 2009 but never issued a recall. A class action settlement covered only named plaintiffs; second and third owners received nothing. Repair costs range $4,200–$16,228, requiring full engine removal and 25–30 hours of labor. Codes P0016 and P0017 appear repeatedly.
Secondary failures include fuel tank leaks under the back seat (creating fire hazard above the exhaust system), wiring harness insulation degradation (exposing bare wires and causing shorts), engine fires (cooling fan malfunction and unexplained compartment ignition), and oil leaks from camshaft components. Some owners report that timing chain and head gasket failures occur early (40k miles). One owner noted the crankshaft pulley separates weeks after belt service due to increased pressure, requiring repeat repairs.
Owners consistently report that Mercedes refused post-warranty assistance despite acknowledging the defect through bulletins, and that dealers initially misdiagnosed the problem or dismissed it as normal wear despite mileage as low as 40,000 miles.
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Balance Shaft Sprocket Wear & Failure
The balance shaft sprocket (camshaft timing component) wears prematurely due to soft metals used in manufacturing. The sprocket teeth wear excessively, lose contact with the timing chain, and cause camshaft-crankshaft misalignment. Mercedes used inadequately hardened materials; internal Mercedes service bulletins (dating to April 2009) acknowledge the defect, yet no recall has been issued. Affects 2005–2007 M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines with specific serial numbers.
When: Typically 40,000–97,000 miles; earliest documented at 40k miles, some as late as 158k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates with codes P0016 and P0017 (camshaft/crankshaft correlation); Vehicle jerks, shakes, or vibrates during acceleration or normal driving; Engine misfires or skips; Vehicle stalls or enters limp mode mid-traffic without warning; Engine loses power; Codes return repeatedly even after clearing; Check engine light present at every start
Codes mentioned: P0016, P0017, Code 1200, Code 1208, Code 1207
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine removal required. Repair costs range $4,200–$16,228.96 depending on scope. Labor is 25–30 hours. Some owners report Mercedes offered 30–60% partial coverage through class action settlement, but most out-of-warranty owners received no assistance. Many paid $5,000–$8,000 out of pocket.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit settlement (2005–2007 M272/M273 engines with specific serial numbers up to 2729..30 468993 or 2739..30 088611). Settlement provided only partial reimbursement (30–60%) and applied only to named class members. No vehicle recall issued. Mercedes issued internal service bulletins but failed to notify owners directly. Mercedes declined to assist second and third owners not part of original settlement. Mercedes MBUSA told owners vehicle was 'past warranty' and refused to cover the cost.
Wiring Harness Insulation Degradation
The main engine wiring harness uses inferior insulation that becomes brittle, cracks, and falls off over time, exposing bare wires. Affects engine lighting, fuel injection, and critical electrical functions. Creates serious fire hazard by allowing shorts.
When: No specific mileage provided; described as ongoing deterioration from manufacturing defect
Symptoms owners cite: Wires exposed and shorted; Engine and electrical system malfunction; Possible fire in engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair costs or scope reported in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of widespread defect but refuses to order recall
Fuel Tank Leak Under Back Seat
Fuel tank located under the back seat leaks fuel. Tank sits above the exhaust system, creating a fire hazard. Fuel runs down the side of the tank in close proximity to hot exhaust.
When: Reports span multiple years of ownership; one owner noted issue began approximately one year prior (May 2013 for a 2006 model)
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline smell in cabin, sometimes sporadic then continuous; Fuel gauge jumping up and down regardless of vehicle motion; Check engine lights indicating faulty coolant temperature sensor and faulty fuel level sensor; Visible fuel leakage from tank area
Codes mentioned: Faulty coolant temperature sensor, Faulty fuel level sensor
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs $680–$1,380+ for tank assembly replacement. One dealership offered $217 credit toward repair; customers refused to pay for defective part covered under PZEV warranty (15 years/150,000 miles in California).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused to cover repair under PZEV 15-year/150,000-mile warranty despite defect being manufacturing-related, not wear and tear. Some offered minimal credits.
Engine Fire—Cooling Fan & Electrical
Cooling fan cycles excessively and overheats, causing smoke and then flames in the engine compartment. Associated fuse fails to blow and stop the cycling.
When: Reported at 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke cycling from cooling fan area (approximately 1-minute cycles); Smoke intensifies then nearly subsides in repeating pattern; Engine compartment bursts into flames
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; owner extinguished fire with fire extinguisher
Engine Compartment Fire—Cause Unspecified
Engine compartment caught fire while vehicle was parked. Fire spread to adjacent vehicle.
When: Occurred while parked at hardware store; owner was inside for approximately 10 minutes
Symptoms owners cite: Engine compartment fire with complete combustion of engine compartment; Fire spread to nearby vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine compartment destruction
Timing Chain and Head Gasket Failure
Timing belt/chain deteriorates; two head gaskets blow. Vehicle jerks violently and stalls during operation.
When: Reported at 40,000–42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking at 20 mph; Jerking intensifies with accelerator pedal depression; Tachometer in red zone (50–70 rpm); Engine stalls; Vehicle requires 10–15 minutes before restart; Initial repair effective only a few weeks before symptom recurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Timing belt and two head gaskets replaced; first repair failed to resolve issue
Engine Vacuum Pump Oil Leak
Engine vacuum pump leaks oil, producing abnormal grinding noise.
When: Reported at 31,000–32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal grinding noise from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement required; no repair performed per complaint
Camshaft Plug and Sensor Oil Leaks
Motor oil leaks from camshaft plugs and camshaft sensors onto hot engine and exhaust components, creating smoke that enters the climate control system.
When: Reported at 70,000 miles (plugs) and 88,000 miles (sensor)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking onto hot motor and exhaust; Smoke entering heating/cooling system; Need to open windows in winter due to smoke; Oil leak from camshaft sensor after replacement of plugs
Repairs/costs cited: Two camshaft plugs replaced at approximately 70,000 miles; camshaft sensor replacement scheduled at 88,000 miles
Intake Manifold Actuator Linkage Failure
Intake manifold actuator linkage breaks, causing check engine light and vehicle vibration/shaking. Repeats intermittently over years.
When: Reported as occurring 3–4 times over 10 years of ownership; most recent occurrence at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle shakes violently; Symptoms resolve after stopping and restarting engine; Episodes occur on highway and street driving, not related to turning
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed as 'intake manifold actuator linkage broken'; repair cost not provided. Mechanic noted this was the eighth 2005–2007 MBZ with same issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz USA refused to pay for repair
Crankshaft Pulley Two-Piece Separation
The crankshaft pulley is a two-piece assembly that separates under excessive engine pressure. When belt or tensioner is replaced, additional pressure is exerted on the pulley, causing it to separate and disable the vehicle weeks or months later. Mercedes fails to inspect or warn customers about this during belt/tensioner service.
When: Fails weeks to months after belt or tensioner replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle becomes disabled after belt or tensioner replacement; Recurring failure requiring repeat repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs in the thousands; includes both original belt/tensioner work and subsequent pulley failure repair
Fuel Level Sensor and EVAP System Leaks
Fuel level sensor malfunction and evaporative emissions system very small leak. Sensor causes fuel gauge to jump erratically.
When: Reported at multiple mileage points
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light with code P0456 (EVAP system very small leak) or fuel level sensor code; Fuel gauge jumping up and down regardless of vehicle motion or fuel consumption; Strong gasoline smell, sometimes intermittent
Codes mentioned: P0456
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair costs reported
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes benz e350. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle began jerking violently. The jerking would intensify whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed. The tachometer gauge displayed between 50-70 in the red zone whenever she depressed the accelerator pedal. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle stalled. After approximately 10-15 minutes,the vehicle was…
Driving the vehicle on several occasions on Interstate 66 and the vehicle spontaneously went into limp mode. Now we find out it's a balance shaft issue and is a known problem from Mercedes in the M272 engines for our 2006 E350 4-matic. They evidently used balance shafts with materials that were too soft, resulting in premature wearing of the balance shafts with all of the M272 engines produced…
Gearing mechanism suddenly failed while driving thus causing the vehicle to stall. Was unable to move forward until the car was shut off, restarted and then car moved forward with a very jerky motion situation posed a dangerous hazard to passengers as well as other vehicles in the flow of traffic. *tr
Check engine came on I took it to the dealer, the dealer stated that it was a faulty balance shaft gear and I received a $5000 (five thousand dollars) estimate for repair. I took it to an independent mechanic, he tried to replace the camshaft exhaust but the engine light was still on, he then determined the same problem faulty balance shaft gear... My car is only 74000 miles now, so much for a…
Balance shift worned
My check engine light is on so I took it to the mb dealer and they stated that it was a balance sensor located inside the engine and it cost $7000.00 to fix cause the entire engine has to be taken out, my car only has 70,000 miles and I have noticed that many people are complaining about this issue with their mb cars as well. There are hundreds of people complaining about this problem with their…
I have check engine light on, nobody "mechanic" know to fix this problem. I have codes: 1-p0016 2-p0017 3-p2195 4-p2198 5-p0171 6-p0174
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 52 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 64,000 and 112,000 miles, with the median around 83,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 64,000; a quarter make it past 112,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.