Model year record

2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 recalls & problems

The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 has 2 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (6 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints26filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

2 recalls for this model year carry an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 26, 2024

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 24V29800015,604 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 9, 2022

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 22V315000350,294 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

R500

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission	6	0	0	0	93,000 mi
Steering	5	0	0	0	63,000 mi
Electrical system	5	0	2	2	114,000 mi
Suspension	4	0	0	0	50,000 mi
Seats	4	0	4	2	93,250 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	0	0	0	—
Air bags	2	1	0	1	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	1	0	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	0	0	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	0	0	—
Wheels	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
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…
Oct 15, 2021 · 140,000 miles
Suspension
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
Jan 17, 2023
Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Oct 1, 2022 · 117,000 miles
Power train
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).
Nov 3, 2021
Electrical systemFire2 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…
Aug 25, 2020 · 179,000 miles
Electrical system
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…
Mar 14, 2020 · 114,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
May 5, 2020 · 114,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
Dec 21, 2018 · 144,894 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.