2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the power steering was not functioning, after which the vehicle lost all power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed an unknown fluid covering various components. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11549204

Incident

Oct 15, 2021

Mileage

140,000 mi

My 2006 R-500 is leaning from the (front and back) passenger side, causing the vehicle to be unsecure to drive... It feels like both side tires are TOTALLY FLAT. I'm not a mechanic, but it looks like the AIR SUSPENSION IS MALFUNTION

NHTSA ID

11505241

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a technician would arrive to his residence to inspect the brake booster and, if necessary, replace the brake booster. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ID

11503415

Incident

Oct 1, 2022

Mileage

117,000 mi

I was purchasing a 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 Black on November 3,2021, VIN: [XXX]. in the process of driving the vehicle less than ten miles, part of the part of transmission case broke off. The steering was hard to turn and this is a Salvage vehicle. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11440223

Incident

Nov 3, 2021

THE VEHICLE'S REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE OR REVERSE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR A WEEK (TO MY KNOWLEDGE) AND WHILE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE I TURNED ON THE HEAT WARMING DEVICE AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. IT WAS AFTER WE HAD BEEN SHOPPING AND RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE DID WE NOTICE A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING, BUT COULD NOT TELL WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. STILL UNAWARE THAT A FIRE COULD START FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, IS WHEN WE REALIZED THAT THE CARGO AREA OF THE VEHICLES SIDE PANEL WAS IN COMPLETE FLAMES! THUS, CAUSING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL INJURIES, SMOKE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE AND A COMPLETE SENSE OF INSECURITY. THE VEHICLES MAIN SECURITY FEATURE NEVER WARNED US OF ANY POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING DANGER AS IT WOULD IF MY TIRE WAS LOW AND THE ON CALL SYSTEM FAILED TO BE HELPFUL WHEN TRYING TO GET HELP, FOR WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO HEAR THE REPRESENTATIVES BUT NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THEM WHICH LED TO 5 REPRESENTATIVE DISCONNECT CALLS.

NHTSA ID

11352688

Incident

Aug 25, 2020

Mileage

179,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNDRIVEABLE ON AND OFF FOR 6 MONTHS WITH DEFECTIVE STARTER WIRING HARNESS WHICH THE WIRES ARE EXPOSED, AND STARTING INTERMITTENTLY. TOWED FROM THE STREET 2 MONTHS AGO AND SITTING AT THE MECHANIC TRYING TO HELP ME. MERCEDES BENZ HAS A SAFETY RECALL #2006040002 FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM. THEY TELL ME IT IS FOR THE 2006 R350 AND NOT THE R500 MAYBE BECAUSE THEY WERE VERY LIMITED. THESES MODELS ARE THE SAME BUILT CHASSIS EVERYWHERE, INCLUDING THE STARTER WIRING HARNESS, EXCEPT I HAVE THE UPGRADED V8. AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX. SINCE THIS HAS CAUSED ME BREAK DOWN ISSUES AND IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AS DESCRIBED. I HAVE PAID $1200 A YEAR AGO TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE WIRE HARNESS INSIDE THE CHASSIS, AS THE CAR SMOKED AND ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE AS I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TOW. AM I STUCK AGAIN?? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11327036

Incident

Mar 14, 2020

Mileage

114,000 mi

AS PER RECALL#2006040002 IS THE EXACT PROBLEM I AM HAVING NOW. THE STARTER WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE AND EXPOSED, AND CAR IS DISABLED AT MERCEDES MECHANIC SITE. MBUSA SAYS IT IS ONLY TO CERTAIN R500S AND VIN SPECIFIC. I AM CONFUSED SINCE THIS IS LIMITED PRODUCTION.

NHTSA ID

11326522

Incident

May 5, 2020

Mileage

114,000 mi

AFTER DIAGNOSTICS FOUND THAT THE FRONT SAM HAD BEEN UNDER WATER SHORTING THE SAM AND ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. WOULD NEED THE FRONT SAM AND WIRING REPAIR ALONG WITH CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DIAGNOSTIC. THE WATER IS COMING FROM THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WAS AT WORK HAD TO LEAVE IT AT MY JOB BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START SO THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED.

NHTSA ID

11165968

Incident

Dec 21, 2018

Mileage

144,894 mi

THE TRANSMISSION HAS A FAULTY SHIFT SOLENOID THAT CAN ONLY BE REPLACED BY A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND THEREFORE IS MANY TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER REPAIRS. ALSO THIS SOLENOID HAS A WELL ABOVE AVERAGE FAILURE RATE. MY CAR HAS 112,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND GOT STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. CAN BECAME VERY JERKY AND ONCE WENT INTO PARK WITHOUT ME SELECTING PARK, THIS HAPPENED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH CARS COMING UP BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ID

11054938

Incident

Dec 12, 2017

Mileage

112,000 mi

CONSISTENT ISSUES WITH DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG. SMS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER BEING REPAIRED SPORADICALLY. MULTIPLE REPAIRS DOCUMENTED VIA BOSCHE AND ASE MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR FACILITY. SPOKE WITH HENDRICK MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY ADVISED THAT A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG WAS ISSUED BUT IS NO LONGER HONORED. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE VOLUNTARY RECALL AND THE FACTORY MERCEDES BENZ DEALER IS NO LONGER HONORING THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. I WILL NEED TO GARNER THE PREVIOUS REPAIR INVOICES FROM THE CERTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ID

10929503

Incident

Dec 1, 2016

Mileage

106,000 mi

THE WHEEL LUG BOLTS ARE ALL RUSTED

NHTSA ID

10898663

Incident

Feb 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R500. WHILE DRIVING AT 7 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE SNOWY ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT FOREARM, RIGHT SHOULDER, AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10701716

Incident

Mar 1, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILED ON ON RAMP ROUTE 295 NJ EXIT 21 SOUTH. CAR'S TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AFTER ENTERING TRAFFIC LANES. NARROWLY MISSED BEING HIT BY LARGE TRUCK. VEHICLE MADE IT TO NEXT OFF RAMP AND WAS NURSED HOME IN 1ST GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10638713

Incident

Sep 15, 2014

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R500. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEEL WELL WAS SITTING ON THE TIRE UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS EITHER A AIR MATIC COMPRESSOR OR THE AIR MATIC STRUTS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10550795

Incident

Oct 28, 2013

Mileage

106,000 mi

HAVE COMPUTER ISSUES THAT ARE REPORTING AND SHUTTING DOWN BRAKING SYSTEMS, SPEED CONTROLS, EPS, ABS. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (MERCEDES SPECIALIST) REPORTS THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM ON MODEL YEARS 2005 AND UP, HE HAS MULTIPLE VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIRS TO ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS. I JUST SPENT 1,384.00 PLUS A WEEK LATER, MORE CODES MEANING ANOTHER 600+ TO REPAIR. HE SAYS THESE ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS ARE A CONSTANT SOURCE OF HIS INCOME. THE RCLASS IS CAUSING ME BREAKDOWNS, IF I TURN OFF ENGINE WHEN IT IS HOT, I WILL BE STALLED AND UNABLE TO CRANK IT UNTIL IT COOLS OFF. TALK ABOUT BEING UNSAFE, IF I HAVE A FLAT ON INTERSTATE, AND TURN OFF ENGINE, I WILL BE STUCK UNTIL ENGINE COOLS. STEERING WHEEL SENSORS ARE STILL BAD AND HE IS LOCKED OUT OF THAT PART OF THE COMPUTER, UNTIL HE CAN FIND THE OPEN CIRCUIT OR REPLACE SENSORS. ANOTHER 4 OR 5 HOURS OF TIME THAT HE THINKS IT WILL TAKE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. NOTE: WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SENSORS REPORT PROBLEMS, IT SHUTS DOWN YOUR AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEMS AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS. RANT OVER. WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10546221

Incident

Sep 16, 2013

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT FAILED AND OVERHEATED, BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT FABRIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE HEATING UNIT AND THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510274

Incident

Apr 1, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE HEATED SEATS CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNED PASSENGER WHILE DRIVING. SEATS IN FLAMES, STARTED TO SMOKE BURNING PASSENGER CLOTHING. PASSENGER TURNED OFF HEATED SEATS AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE FOR POTENTIAL DANGER TO OTHERS, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM MERCEDES IS ENGINEERING CARS THAN BURN WHILE DRIVING, THAT HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM ITS SISTER CAR MERCEDES M SERIES, WHICH ARE COMPRISED OF SAME COMPONENTS, DIFFERENT BODY STYLE, BUT OVERALL COMPONENTS ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL AND INTERIOR ARE BASICALLY SAME, BUT M SERIES IS BEING RECALLED BUT NOT THE LESS PURCHASED R SERIES, WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING, ELECTRICAL AND SO ON, WHY MERCEDES RECALLING THE M SERIES WHEN R SERIES SISTER CAR 99% ITS COPY?. THIS IS A CONSUMER??S WORST NIGHTMARE! ONE CAR IS BEING IGNORED WHILE OTHER IS ACKNOWLEDGED DUE TO ITS HIGHER SALES. BOTH VEHICLES M SERIES/R SERIES SHOULD EVALUATED AS SAME UNIT AND NOT SEPARATELY, THEY ARE ENGINEERED FROM SAME BLUEPRINT, USE 90% OF SAME COMPONENTS. TOLD BY SERVICE TECHNICIAN, THAT MERCEDES FIXES POWER STEERING UNITS FOR FREE ON M SERIES, WHILE PURCHASING1 QUART OF POWER STEERING FLUID FOR BROKEN UNIT, SEALS BLOWN PRIOR TO 49,000 MILES WITH A CLEAN CAR FAX? THE DEALER, I PURCHASED IT FROM TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK TO ADD MORE POWER STEERING FLUID WHICH LASTED 8 MONTHS BEFORE, I REALIZED THE SEALS WERE BROKEN AND I PURCHASED A LEMON! THE MERCEDES R SERIES WITH CLEAN CAR FAX DID INDEED COME WITH MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SINCE THERE ARE SO FEW R SERIES OUT THERE, I AM DOUBTFUL THAT ANY KIND OF EVALUATION, ANALYTICAL MEANS WOULD SUFFICE A RECALL OTHER, THAN USING SAME M SERIES RECALL FOR R SERIES, THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY FAIR SOLUTION FOR THE CONSUMER. MERCEDES SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE IT'S PART IN POOR ENGINEERING OF THESE TWO VEHICLES AS A WHOLE, BOTH VEHICLES MANY PROBLEMS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10501166

Incident

Mar 3, 2013

Mileage

96,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING TURNS, SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK HER VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,500. *TR RETURNED BY USPS ON 4/10/2013. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 4/10/2013 FAILED. *KB

NHTSA ID

10501151

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

Mileage

48,000 mi

AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HAS FAILED COUNTLESS TIMES...FIXED UNDER WARRANTY THEN FAILED AGAIN...SUSPENSION FAILS WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, THEN SLOWLY RAISES ITSELF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED AND STARTED...DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY OLD DO SINCE THEY HAVE REPLACED PARTS ALREADY AND RECOMMENDED I JUST CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE LOWERING SUSPENSION ISSUE UNTIL IT JUST DOES NOT RAISE UP ANYMORE. NOT THE ANSWER I EXPECTED FROM A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10472713

Incident

Jul 12, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

AT TIMES THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT WORK. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ CAMPAIGN #2006090001 WHICH HAS A NHTSA #10021242. AFTER FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE CAMPAIGN MY VEHICLE WILL START IN PARK AND GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE BY ITSELF. THE INDICATER SAYS IT IS IN PARK WHEN IT STARTS BUT SHIFTS TO DRIVE OR REVERSE BY ITSELF EVEN WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR JUST TAKES OFF.

NHTSA ID

10375749

Incident

Jan 4, 2011

Mileage

50,453 mi

2006 MERCEDES BENZ R500 DRIVERS SEAT FIRE WHEN HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON. FLAMES AND FIRE MELTED SEAT AND DAMAGED DRIVERS DRESS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10363056

Incident

Oct 30, 2010

Mileage

43,358 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

NHTSA ID

10358460

Incident

Apr 15, 2010

Mileage

49,000 mi

2006 MERCEDES BENZ R500. ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MOVES WITH ALL CONTROLS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND/OR USING THE TURN SIGNAL. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO HEAT EXPOSURE (I.E CAR PARKED ON THE STREET BEING EXPOSED TO THE SUN). REPORTED TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10352882

Incident

Aug 1, 2009

AIR MATIC SUSPENSION MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE WITH NO CODES. CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIP FOR PAST YEAR FOR THIS ISSUE. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING CAR ISSUED WARNING THAT CAR HEIGHT WAS TOO LOW FOR DRIVING, MANUAL READ TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION. ONCE PARKED AND OFF, THE CAR COMPLETELY DROPPED TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE TIRES TO RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL. ANOTHER OCCURRENCE, WHEN PLACING MORE WEIGHT IN ADDITION TO THE DRIVER CAUSES THE MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE CAUSING A ROUGH RIDE AND THE SUSPENSION TO RAISE UNEVENLY. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE MB DEALERSHIP OVER 4 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION AS THE COMPUTER DOES NOT LEAVE ANY CODES FOR THEM TO FOLLOW. CAR IS BEING DRIVEN AND TESTED BY THE DEALERSHIP OVERNIGHT (THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THEY'VE MONITORED OVERNIGHT) AND OVER THE WEEKEND TO FURTHER MONITOR THE PROBLEM WITH A COMPUTER CONNECTED TO THE CAR TO DETECT THE MALFUNCTION. THE MALFUNCTION STARTED OCCURRING EVERY THREE MONTHS AND HAS PROGRESSED TO EVERY OTHER WEEK DURING THE PAST YEAR. THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE AS CAR WITH AIR MATIC SUSPENSION SHOULD BUT RATHER A CAR WITH NO SUSPENSION AT ALL. SERVICE MANAGER SUSPECTS IT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM (LAST RESORT REPAIR AS PER MERCEDES BENZ) WHICH IS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINS THAT ALL OTHER OPTIONS MUST BE EXHAUSTED PRIOR TO COMMUNICATING WITH MB FOR THE LAST RESORT ALTERNATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342364

Incident

Jul 6, 2010

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES R500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT DIDN'T MENTION ANY INJURIES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER WAS NOT AWARE OF HOW MUCH THE SPEED INCREASED PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY USER ERROR AND NOT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000. UPDAETD 10/27/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID

10335624

Incident

May 25, 2010

Mileage

35,000 mi