Owners have filed 131 complaints
about the 2006 Mercedes Benz R350 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2022.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz R350. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 79
15.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 13
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2006 compares with every other Mercedes Benz R350
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
32.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
10.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1916.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
3126.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
3731.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2319.5%
150,000+ miles
43.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2006peak 8Sep 2022
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 146,000 milesHarrisburg, PAFire
SEATS
MAY 13, 2019, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE FOR LESS THAN A MILE WHEN HER DRESS STARTED SMOKING FROM THE DRIVER SEAT THAT WAS ALIGHT. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND REMOVED OUR 11 MONTH OLD BABY FROM THE BACKSEAT AND CALLED ME. SHE HAS A VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT. I CHECKED ON MERCEDES USA SITE AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE ON THIS ISSUE. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED BY EITHER MB OR THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CASE. THIS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT DEADLY AS THE BATTERY IS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE FUEL LINES. I TURNED THE CAR ON AND AGAIN , THE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE. IT IS NOW PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AS MY WIFE AND I ARE SCARED OF PUTTING OUR KIDS IN IT. I CONTACTED MB USA AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE LAW SUITE. THIS CAN CREATE DANGEROUS OR EVEN DEADLY SITUATIONS IF MY WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT STOP OR FIE ESCALATES RAPIDLY WITH OUR CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11207461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,960 milesRochester, NYFire
SEATS
THE HEATED SEATS WERE TURNED ON THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU ON JUNE 15, 2017 AROUND 1:00AM. I PULLED OF AFTER GETTING MY FOOD. THEN WHILE I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT I STARTED TO FEEL REALLY WARM ON MY BACK AND SIDE, HOTTER THAN NORMAL. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE! I PULLED OVER QUICKLY AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I REALIZED MY CLOTHING WAS SMOKING AND THE BACK OF MY SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WENT OUT AND MY JACKET AND T SHIRT HAD BURNS AND ASHES ON THEM AND MY DRIVER SEAT HAD LARGE HOLE IN IT.
NHTSA complaint #10995346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCanon, GAFire1 injured
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK AND CUSHION HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE BACK AREA AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SEAT AND HEATING ELEMENT WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10817006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCanon, GAFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK AND CUSHION HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE BACK AREA AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SEAT AND HEATING ELEMENT WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10817006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesSeattle, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING FROM ENGINE HARNESS TO FUEL PUMP BURNT ON FREEWAY , ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN, COULD NOT START BACK UP IN MIDDLE OF I5 FREEWAY. REPAIRS ARE AMOUNTING TO $4000. COULD HAVE BURNT ENTIRE VEHICLE AND AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10811951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesSeattle, WAFire
ENGINE
WIRING FROM ENGINE HARNESS TO FUEL PUMP BURNT ON FREEWAY , ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN, COULD NOT START BACK UP IN MIDDLE OF I5 FREEWAY. REPAIRS ARE AMOUNTING TO $4000. COULD HAVE BURNT ENTIRE VEHICLE AND AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10811951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Las Vegas, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect
NHTSA complaint #11483031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry Hall, MD
ENGINE
My car has stalled several times, either when I am driving, or when I stop at a traffic light. Rough idling and/or running when stopped at a red light or driving at speeds that wouldn’t normally be an issue. Engine stalling or misfiring, and car sometimes have trouble starting up. Loud rattling or vibrating noises from the engine. The check engine light is turned on. I took it to Mercedes Benz Dealership in Brooklyn, NY and was told it is a Balance Shaft problem, and they told me it could cost me about $9,000.00. Further research informs me that the problem should not be ignored, nor repair put off. Also, that failure of the balance shaft leaves the inner components of the engine unsecured and therefore will ultimately result in damage to the engine if left unchecked. Also, that driving at high speeds for long periods can agitate the problem even further due to the constant vibrations without a proper securing mechanism. As a result, I parked my car for several months, since I cannot afford the amount they quoted. In essence, I cannot even enjoy the car I bought.
NHTSA complaint #11470159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesMenlo Park, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL AND VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD CHAIN WHINE NOISE AND IT CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY AND NEVER STARTED BACK UP.
NHTSA complaint #11339768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesMenlo Park, CA
ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL AND VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD CHAIN WHINE NOISE AND IT CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY AND NEVER STARTED BACK UP.
NHTSA complaint #11339768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,000 milesVisalia, CA
AIR BAGS
MY ABS MY EESP MY BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MINE ANYWAYS THE WHOLE CLUSTER IS GOING CRAZY IT'S HARD TO SHIFT DOWN WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP NOT ALL THE TIME BUT JUST SOMETIMES SO I GOT A MIND OF ITS OWN MY SPEEDOMETER GOES UP AND DOWN IT SAYS CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE WHEN IT'S GOOD MY SRS LIGHT COMES ON MY BRAKES LIGHTS COMES ON IT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST, ABS LIGHT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST, ESPECIALLY LIGHT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST. BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND A CONTINUOUS BEEBING. IT ALSO SAYS DO NOT CHANGE GEARS DRIVE TO WORK SHOP.$ YOUR PAPER WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK OTHER BOXES THAT I'M HAVING PROBLEM WIT
NHTSA complaint #11291884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,000 milesVisalia, CA
STEERING
MY ABS MY EESP MY BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MINE ANYWAYS THE WHOLE CLUSTER IS GOING CRAZY IT'S HARD TO SHIFT DOWN WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP NOT ALL THE TIME BUT JUST SOMETIMES SO I GOT A MIND OF ITS OWN MY SPEEDOMETER GOES UP AND DOWN IT SAYS CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE WHEN IT'S GOOD MY SRS LIGHT COMES ON MY BRAKES LIGHTS COMES ON IT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST, ABS LIGHT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST, ESPECIALLY LIGHT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST. BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND A CONTINUOUS BEEBING. IT ALSO SAYS DO NOT CHANGE GEARS DRIVE TO WORK SHOP.$ YOUR PAPER WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK OTHER BOXES THAT I'M HAVING PROBLEM WIT
NHTSA complaint #11291884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,000 milesVisalia, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
MY ABS MY EESP MY BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MINE ANYWAYS THE WHOLE CLUSTER IS GOING CRAZY IT'S HARD TO SHIFT DOWN WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP NOT ALL THE TIME BUT JUST SOMETIMES SO I GOT A MIND OF ITS OWN MY SPEEDOMETER GOES UP AND DOWN IT SAYS CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE WHEN IT'S GOOD MY SRS LIGHT COMES ON MY BRAKES LIGHTS COMES ON IT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST, ABS LIGHT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST, ESPECIALLY LIGHT SAYS DIONOSTIC RIG TEST. BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND A CONTINUOUS BEEBING. IT ALSO SAYS DO NOT CHANGE GEARS DRIVE TO WORK SHOP.$ YOUR PAPER WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK OTHER BOXES THAT I'M HAVING PROBLEM WIT
NHTSA complaint #11291884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesHarrisburg, PAFire
SEATS
MAY 13, 2019, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE FOR LESS THAN A MILE WHEN HER DRESS STARTED SMOKING FROM THE DRIVER SEAT THAT WAS ALIGHT. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND REMOVED OUR 11 MONTH OLD BABY FROM THE BACKSEAT AND CALLED ME. SHE HAS A VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT. I CHECKED ON MERCEDES USA SITE AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE ON THIS ISSUE. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED BY EITHER MB OR THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CASE. THIS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT DEADLY AS THE BATTERY IS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE FUEL LINES. I TURNED THE CAR ON AND AGAIN , THE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE. IT IS NOW PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AS MY WIFE AND I ARE SCARED OF PUTTING OUR KIDS IN IT. I CONTACTED MB USA AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE LAW SUITE. THIS CAN CREATE DANGEROUS OR EVEN DEADLY SITUATIONS IF MY WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT STOP OR FIE ESCALATES RAPIDLY WITH OUR CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11207461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesStruart, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
MERCEDES 2006 WHEN I BRAKE THE CAR WILL KEEP GOING. SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE AND I HAVE NOT OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR. I COULD KILL SOMEONE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT HELP
NHTSA complaint #11180304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,951 milesScottsdale, AZ
WHEELS
COMPLAINT IS DIRECTED TO COURT@GROVEAUTOCENTER.COM IN FOREST GROVE, OREGON. AT TIME OF PURCHASE, TIRES WERE TOTALLY WORN AND DEALER AGREED TO NEW TIRE REPLACEMENT. SUBSEQUENT EVENT REVEALED REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE NOT NEW AND HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IMPROPERLY REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, LOAD FACTOR WAS BELOW MINIMUM MANUFACTURERS RATING AND UNSAFE. DEALER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE COST OF NEW AND CORRECT REPLACEMENT TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #11122735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ENGINE
TAKATA RECALL. I PURCHASED MY 2006 MERCEDES R350 IN 2016 WITH OVER 100K MILES ON IT. WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ALREADY ON. I USED A SCANNER TOOL FOR AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS. AS IT STATED TWO ISSUES. A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR/ CAM SHAFT SENSOR WAS NEEDED. SO I DECIDED AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT TO FINALIZE THE PURCHASE ANYWAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, AFTER I CHANGED THE SENSORS THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH AND SPENT UNNECESSARY MONEY, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN FACT A FAULTY BALANCE SHAFT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT. THAT WAS COVERED MY MERCEDES IN A RECALL AT ONE POINT BEFORE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. FOR SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS A DEFECTED PART IN A MOTOR SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, BUT WHENEVER IT IS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED WITHOUT HESITATION SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT AND NOT SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE BY ANY PREVIOUS OWNERS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AT HAND. THANKS IN ADVANCE.
NHTSA complaint #11083807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesCincinnati, OH
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE AND WAITING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #11082479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesCerritos, CA
SUSPENSION
YESTERDAY, WHILE PARKED, I NOTICED THE CAR IS LEANING TOWARDS LEFT SIDE. MECHANIC CHECKED AND FOUND THE AIR SPRING BAG WAS LEAKING. ALSO, THE STRUT ON RIGHT GOT SHOT. MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. I'M SCARED TO TRAVEL WITH MY KIDS AND GRAND KIDS IN THE CAR. THESE CARS MUST BE RECALLED FOR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/MERCEDES/R350/SUSPENSION/PROBLEM.ASPX
NHTSA complaint #11054254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,960 milesRochester, NYFire
SEATS
THE HEATED SEATS WERE TURNED ON THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU ON JUNE 15, 2017 AROUND 1:00AM. I PULLED OF AFTER GETTING MY FOOD. THEN WHILE I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT I STARTED TO FEEL REALLY WARM ON MY BACK AND SIDE, HOTTER THAN NORMAL. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE! I PULLED OVER QUICKLY AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I REALIZED MY CLOTHING WAS SMOKING AND THE BACK OF MY SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WENT OUT AND MY JACKET AND T SHIRT HAD BURNS AND ASHES ON THEM AND MY DRIVER SEAT HAD LARGE HOLE IN IT.
NHTSA complaint #10995346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesBrewster, NY
ENGINE
BALANCE SHAFT GEAR DEFECTIVE APPARENTLY MERCEDES HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, CLASS ACTION SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED- NO RECALL YET. I PLAN TO CALL MERCEDES DEALER TOMORROW- DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY HELP ON THEIR PART - IF THAT'S THE CASE WILL TRY TO JOIN CLASS ACTION SUIT AS THIS IS A KNOWN AND VERY COSTLY -(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) PROBLEM FOR NUMEROUS MB VEHICLES- MANY CLASSES FROM 2007 -2011. MERCEDES BENZ WAS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE (USED) FROM LOCAL MB DEALER HERE IN NY 2009 AS A PRE OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE, WHY WAS I NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE THAT MERCEDES KNOWINGLY KNEW AND COME TO FIND OUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED. THE NHTSA NEED S TO LOOK INTO THIS MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED, MERCEDES SERVICE TECHS WERE MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT THEY WERE NOT INSTRUCTED TO LET CUSTOMERS BE KNOWN OF THIS WHEN CARS WERE BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND RECALLS MUST BE PREFORMED
NHTSA complaint #10956705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesFoster City, CA
POWER TRAIN
CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE CANT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20MPH ON FREEWAY VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART CAR TO RESET. CAR JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRONICS DIED ON STREET. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAYS NEEDS NEW VALVE BODY OF TRANSMISSION. RESEARCHED ONLINE VERY COMMON PROBLEM. DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10949628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesFoster City, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE CANT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20MPH ON FREEWAY VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART CAR TO RESET. CAR JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRONICS DIED ON STREET. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAYS NEEDS NEW VALVE BODY OF TRANSMISSION. RESEARCHED ONLINE VERY COMMON PROBLEM. DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10949628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesFoster City, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE CANT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20MPH ON FREEWAY VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART CAR TO RESET. CAR JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRONICS DIED ON STREET. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAYS NEEDS NEW VALVE BODY OF TRANSMISSION. RESEARCHED ONLINE VERY COMMON PROBLEM. DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10949628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesHouston, TX
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR, RELAY, FUSE LINK, AIR SUSPENSION, AND CORE RETURN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10892985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
ENGINE
THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE BUT MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BALANCE SHAFT AS A DEFECT AND ROAD SAFETY HAZARD. UNFORTUNATELY IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE'S ENGINE FALLING A PART AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BEFORE SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING WHICH IS TERRIBLE. MERCEDES-BENZ BALANCE SHAFT PROBLEMS AND HOW TO CHECK YOUR CAR. BALANCE SHAFT MERCEDES V6 AND V8 PROBLEMS MERCEDES-BENZ V6 AND V8 ENGINES HAD TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS CAUSED BY BALANCE SHAFT AND IDLER GEAR FAILURES. MERCEDES PRODUCED CERTAIN MODELS WITH DEFECTIVE GEARS IN THEIR BALANCE SHAFTS (M272 ENGINES) OR WITH DEFECTIVE IDLE GEARS ( M273 ENGINES). THESE FAULTY GEARS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, EXCESSIVELY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION, THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE TO MISFIRE OR STOP DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10885935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesCovington, GA
SUSPENSION
EVERYDAY I GET A RED SIGNAL ALERTING ME TO STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN INITIALLY TURNING ON THE CAR OR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVE. THE REAR OF THE CAR IS VISIBLY LOW AND WHEN DRIVING IT IS UNEVEN AND BUMPY. I HAVE SEEN OTHER R350 OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT AND REPEAT COSTS TO FIX ~1200.00 EACH SIDE. NO SUSPENSION RECALLS ON AN APPARENT DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING?
NHTSA complaint #10882226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesSeabring, FL
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LEANED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BECOME ELEVATED. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10875523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesRockville, IN
SUSPENSION
THE 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO NEVER END. MY CAR HAS ONLY 70K MILES ON IT. THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE BY AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ SHOP. WHILE LOOKING UP SOME INFORMATION ON VARIOUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS I NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH SCREEN STATING VEHICLE TOO LOW TO DRIVETO SHOP. WHEN THE SUSPENSION GOES OUT THE VEHICLE FRAME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. THE STIFFENED RIDE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ STATED YOU CAN'T GET A TRADITIONAL COIL SPRING CONVERSION IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH THE R350 ARE ALSO VERY COSTLY ($3600) EVERY TIME THIS HAS TO BE FIXED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN STORAGE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD A THIRD TIME TO THE SHOP. PLEASE CONSIDER AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SUSPENSION OF THE MERCEDES BENZ R350 AIRMATIC THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10870100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCanon, GAFire1 injured
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK AND CUSHION HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE BACK AREA AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SEAT AND HEATING ELEMENT WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10817006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCanon, GAFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK AND CUSHION HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE BACK AREA AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SEAT AND HEATING ELEMENT WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10817006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.