The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has too few complaints to score: 14 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about tires, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 to 22 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 179 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mercedes-Benz C-Class year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 100K miles on the car (117 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 71K–109K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 55K–98K miles
Recalls 5
- visibility 2024
Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years.
- visibility 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- visibility 2021
The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Show all 5 recalls
- visibility 2019
The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle.
- airbags 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 80 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural…
- Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1
- Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Highway cruising at steady state speed, aprox 65 mph. Right front tire failure. Control was maintained. Pulled off to shoulder and replaced tire with spare. Tire is being replaced. Damaged tire is available.
2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 10206164
More owner reports
Dt*: the contact stated while wearing sunglasses the instrument panel was not readable. The dealership determined this was how the vehicle was manufactured. Updated 09/15/06.
NHTSA complaint 10166440
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 14 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (14%), body structure (14%) and seat belts (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
5 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,500 and 100,400 miles. The middle report was at 72,000 miles, from 117 complaints.
Does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works