VehicleVerdict

2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 75 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 25.0 times the median Cls500 year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 5 Cls500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (31% of the total).

75

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Cls500 years?

Cls500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted75 complaints2004: 3 complaints2006: 75 complaints2007: 6 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 3 complaints
Cls500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cls500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2331%
Brakes2331%
Electrical System68%
Tires & Wheels68%
Airbags57%
Transmission45%
Speed Control34%
Engine23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seats11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V874000Visibility & WipersNovember 19, 2024 · 33,456 units

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.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

21V196000Visibility & WipersMarch 19, 2021 · 11,356 units

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.

Consequence

A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

19V918000Visibility & WipersDecember 20, 2019 · 747,928 units

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

Consequence

A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED COMPLETELY THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CAR. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE FUEL TANK SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. GAS CAP WARNING LIGHT NOW COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 8, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE "BRAKING POWER INSUFFICIENT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 12, 2014

“BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND THOSE OF OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO OVER THE YEARS AS WELL AS MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES , I KNOW THAT THIS CAR HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BLOWING TIRES, DAMAGING RIMS IN LOW SPEED POT HOLE INCIDENCES . THE RIMS CRACK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 1, 2010

“The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and ESC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic stability control module. The contact was informed that the part had…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 18, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SHOULDER INJURY, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 15, 2017 · crash

2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500 — common questions

Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 75 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 5 Cls500 years. It is one of the Cls500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Cls500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (23 complaints), brakes (23 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Cls500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cls500 years to avoid are 2006. The cleanest record among Cls500 years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.