2006 Mercedes-Benz E350: jerking or lurching

Filed Dec 5, 2022 · Engine · MN

We just purchased a 2006 Mercedes for our teenage sons and had a dealer look at it before we purchased it. They told us there were a couple of codes that were worth watching but that it wasn’t anything significant right now. After the car started jerking and shaking while driving it, we brought it in to dealership where they told us it had a common code for Mercedes in this timeframe P0016. Repair estimate is nearly $5000 to replace timing chain and balance shaft, or a new engine which would be roughly the same. After researching on my own upon being told this code, I found all of the information about the class action lawsuit and settlement, which of course we are too late to be a part of. The dealer said there is a potential that the car could just seize up at some point, so I don’t want my young sons to be out on the road when that happens. I am very frustrated and upset that this wasn’t a recall since it apparently affected a huge amount of vehicles manufactured within this time frame. There is a specific list of engines with known issues and ours is among them. Mercedes Benz should be held responsible for making this right because it was definitely a quality issue. Now we are stuck with an unsafe vehicle, or a massive expense due to defect.

Filed Jul 21, 2016 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MD

Engine jerks and sputters while driving. I appears that the vehicle will shutdown immediately. Cannot drive over 25 MPH or go up hills.

Filed Dec 22, 2014 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Dec 11, 2014 · Engine · 87,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz e350. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked, stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In order for the vehicle to be restarted, the key had to be taken out of the ignition and re- inserted. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the balance shift and crank shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 71,794 miles · IL

On the way to work, the check engine light went on. After a few miles, at an intersection, my car jerked and I didn't have enough time to make the signal light. I decided to go back. After I shifted to reverse, the car didn't move back and stopped there totally. I had to turn off the engine and restarted, the car worked. I took the car to the dealer right away, it needs "entire valve body/conductor plate assy-replace and retest" and total cost is $2000.

Filed Mar 14, 2013 · Engine · 64,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz e-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft needed to be rebuilt. The manufactured was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 64,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2011 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes e350. The contact stated that the vehicle would shutter, jerk and lunge forward abnormally when traveling over 28 MPH. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but denied any assistance with repairs to the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 72,000 miles · FL

Engine/transmission was acting jerky and suddenly the car lost power to engine and the car broke on it's own doing causing the vehicle to swerve into the other lane. Luckily there were no cars behind or to the side of me as this would have surely caused an accident. Currently there is a class action law suit in place specifically to the engine in my car and the part at fault.

Filed Dec 30, 2008 · Engine · 40,000 miles · CA

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 able to be restarted and drove normally. The vehicle has been taken to the repair shop on numerous occasions and the contact was informed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. In addition, two head gaskets were blown and also needed to be repaired. The incident occurred twice within 30 days. The first repair only corrected the failure for a few weeks. The contact believes that a recall should be issued so that the vehicle can be properly repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 42,000.