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Mercedes-Benz R500Model year report

2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 Problems

Complaints
26filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
91,500miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 12 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and steering (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 91,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 68 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11054938, filed 2017-12, 112,000 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11165968, filed 2019-01, 144,894 miles

Steering: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10546221, filed 2013-09, 63,000 miles

Seats: “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! …”

NHTSA complaint #11352688, filed 2020-09, 179,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,000 and 114,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2527%25–5014%50–7518%75–10036%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 91,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

6201120132015201720202023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
R500 4WD/AWD5.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic121714$5,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 68 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 68 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz R500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20062691,5002—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz R500 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 have?

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 (R500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 91,500 miles and the middle half falls between 49,000 and 114,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.