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2006 Mercedes Benz R500 problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 93,000 miles. It has 13.0 times the complaints of a typical R500 model year.

Typical year13.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
26
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
681 warranty
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Transmission
    6
  • Electrical
    5
  • Steering
    5
  • Seats
    4
  • Suspension
    4

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    6
  • Electrical
    5
  • Steering
    5
  • Seats
    4
  • Suspension
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported April 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V‑315.

Recall number 24V298000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Recall number 22V315000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 68

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 68 bulletins for the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500

What 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 10, 2023 · Steering, Transmission · 140,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Feb 2, 2023 · Suspension · TX

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

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Brakes · 117,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 12, 2021 · Steering, Transmission · FL

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).

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 179,000 miles · TX · fire · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2020 · Electrical · 114,000 miles · CA

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).

Filed May 29, 2020 · Electrical · 114,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jan 9, 2019 · Electrical · 144,894 miles · FL

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.

Filed Dec 15, 2017 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Dec 1, 2016 · Airbags · 106,000 miles · NC

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.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500

Is the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 reliable?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500, 13.0 times a typical R500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles. Next is electrical (5).

How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 have?

2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic.

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