2006 Mercedes-Benz E350: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Brakes · 151,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. While driving at 30 MPH, a "Reduced Braking Power" warning message was displayed on the instrument panel followed by an audible alarm. The brake pedal travelled to the floorboard, resulting in a significant loss of braking functionality. Additionally, the vehicle became stuck in second gear, requiring the driver to pull over and have the vehicle towed to the residence. The consumer performed an OBD II scan, but no diagnostic trouble codes related to the brake failure were retrieved. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that there were no active recalls associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Dec 27, 2022 · Engine · VA

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 during this time having the problem. There was a previous class action lawsuit, which Mercedes settled, however, the consumers were not adequately notified and no recall was ever issued for the cars. Now we have 2nd or 3rd owners having these problems that didn't get a notice and have no idea there is a huge expensive and dangerous problem with their vehicle. On I-66 traffic moves at 70 mph (regular lanes) or 75 mph (express lanes). Having the vehicle spontaneously go into limp mode because of this engine issue is dangerous and could have caused a fatal accident on multiple occasions for us. Mercedes should be recalling all of these engines and fixing them properly before someone gets injured or killed. When I spoke with Mercedes, they said because I was not involved in the class action suit at that time, they were not willing to fix the car or pay for any portion of the repair, which they quoted me as costing $16,228.96. The problem is the Mercedes went into limp mode on multiple occasions and there was no check engine light to indicate what the problem was for several months. We had no warning that this was going to happen which created a dangerous situation while driving. There were several incidents on different dates spanning months before a check engine light came on with codes and Mercedes could identify the problem specifically was the balance shaft failure.

Filed Mar 11, 2017 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · CA

Cars will not shift. It wont go pass 3rd gear and almost crashed. Brought car to dealer and per dealer, car is known to have the problem but not recall. Had to pay over $4000 to get the car fixed

Filed Feb 25, 2017 · Transmission · CA

The transmission conductor plate sensor is defective. I was stuck in either first or second gear. I learn that it was in limp mode. The 722.9 transmission conductor plate sensor is known to have these issue as I learned from many mercedes owner that have the 7speed tranny. Please advise on this subject to take action on recalling the service for my car. I have 2006 e350,2014ml550,2007 s550. These cars all have the code for the same issue. The code is p0717 and p0718. Thank you for taking action into this matters.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Steering, Transmission · 92,094 miles · OH

Vehicle went into low gear unsuspectingly, and steering became difficult vehicle went into limp mode without and warning. Vehicle could not be driven over 30mph vehicle would not shift back into higher gear. Vehicle is parked and vehicle is still struck in low gear will not come out of lower gear.I notice you have a recall item li27-22 componet 103700 power train automatic transmission torque converter 6-29-11 the federal safety agency item 10038976 and one dated by the federal safety agency dated 7-24-14 component 103000power train automatic transmission item#10056470

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 103,586 miles · MA

There is a serious safety issue with 2006 mercedes-benz e class (mbec) because of a manufacturer's and/or design defect which causes this vehicle to not go into proper gear and/or stall suddenly putting the public at risk. I barely escaped being smashed into by oncoming traffic while making a routine left hand turn into a gas station because my mbec was stuck in gear and did not accelerate as it was manufactured and designed to do but rather sputtered at less than 5 miles per hour (MPH). The only reason I was not t-boned and likely seriously injured along with other people was because the other drivers swerved into oncoming traffic causing those drivers to also swerve. Miraculously no one was injured, this time. Also, the reason why I was turning into the gas station was because I was forced to get off the highway because my mbec would not change gear after I got on the highway and was approaching red-lining at and it seemed like the engine might blow. The tiptronic also failed during this malfunction. I had the authorized mb dealer that I have used since I purchased my mbec pickup my vehicle to look into this issue and my advisor told me I needed a new balance shaft because the one in my vehicle had prematurely worn (even though I have always stringently followed my mb advisor's suggestions) and it would cost roughly $6,500. S/he also said this occurs in roughly 15-20% of '06 mbec. But mb would not fix this safety defect unless I paid. Worse yet, my advisor never made me aware of this serious safety issue even though s/he previously knew or should have known and as a result put the public at risk by not enabling me to resolve this serious safety issue with my model year vehicle until the occurrence of a near catastrophe. There should be a safety recall now that this safety defect has come to light and unless there is, the public will remain at serious risk.

Filed Nov 4, 2013 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · TX

Having returned from a weekend trip, I started the vehicle and let it warm up for a few minutes. Put the gear selector in drive and off I went, so I thought. My vehicle was actually in limp mode. Several minutes later a check engine light with code p2725 "pressure control solenoid e electrical". In other words, conductor plate and valve body. This is a common problem with 722.9 transmissions. I had the transmission serviced by a mercedes dealership on 6/27/2013, transmission flush and new filter ($553.38). Three months later, boom! Kaput! Limp mode! Valve body toasted! Dealer quote of $1800 and $2100 to replace valve body. This is a common problem. Mercedes should foot the bill.

Filed Oct 16, 2012 · Acceleration, Transmission · 78,000 miles · NY

I was driving on the highway and could hear that the engine didn't sound right, it was revving at a higher RPM than normal. I pulled over to see what was wrong and it continued to do this every time I tried to accelerate. I turned the car off, turned it back on and then only had 3rd. Gear available. Nothing else. I later found out that it's called "limp mode" it wouldn't go faster than 40mph and nothing else worked, just 3rd. Gear and reverse. After doing extensive research I learned this is a problem with most 7-speeds and the amount of people having or had this issue is appalling. Apparently mercedes knew of this matter all along and did nothing. My car is currently at the dealership now and I have to pay $1,600 to have the conductor plate and valve body fixed. I'm a single mom, self employed, but still a single mom. This isn't right and mercedes should bend over backwards to remedy this. "

Filed Jul 31, 2007 · Transmission · 27,623 miles · CA

My mercedes benz e-350 has intermittently experienced problems with its 7-speed transmission. The transmission locks up in a high gear and will not shift either automatically or manually. The only way to clear the problem is to turn off the engine and restart. Twice in the last week it has resulted in near collisions. Dealer fix of topping off transmission fluid and resetting the computer doesn't solve problem.