MERCEDES-BENZ R350 · model year

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350

131 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006MERCEDES-BENZR350 carries 131 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 14 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 R350 is suspension with 26 filings, followed by engine (17) and electrical system (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2006 R350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

131
Complaints
2
Crashes
14
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

131 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION26
ENGINE17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
POWER TRAIN10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
SEATS8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING7
STEERING5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STRUCTURE3
AIR BAGS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2

Recalls (2)

24V29800026/04/2024

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

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 brak

22V31500009/05/2022

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

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 perform

Recent Complaints

20220906SERVICE 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

20220620ENGINE

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 cann

20200716ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 98,000

20200716UNKNOWN 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.

Mileage: 98,000

20191229AIR 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

Mileage: 204,000

20191229ELECTRONIC 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

Mileage: 204,000

20191229STEERING

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

Mileage: 204,000

20190514FireSEATS

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.

Mileage: 146,000

20190215SERVICE 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

Mileage: 120,000

20180827WHEELS

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.

Mileage: 108,951

20180407ENGINE

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 ANYT

20180402AIR 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.

Mileage: 117,000

20171212SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 82,000

20170615FireSEATS

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.

Mileage: 176,960

20170224ENGINE

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

Mileage: 99,000

20170205ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 128,000

20170205POWER 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.

Mileage: 128,000

20170205VEHICLE 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.

Mileage: 128,000

20160803SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 50,000

20160719ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2006MERCEDES-BENZR350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 have?
The 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 has 131 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 14 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350?
Yes, the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350?
The most-complained component for the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 is SUSPENSION with 26 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.