2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering515.2%
- Electrical515.2%
- Powertrain (other)515.2%
- Interior & seats412.1%
- Suspension412.1%
- Brakes39.1%
- Driver assistance26.1%
- Airbags26.1%
- Transmission13.0%
- Exterior lighting13.0%
- Other / unspecified13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WHEEL LUG BOLTS ARE ALL RUSTED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .