2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 19%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500, 19% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10037653Dec 10, 2010Mercedes-benz: there are electrical production quality issues that cause the air bag warning light to illuminate.
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
- 10032568Aug 1, 2009Mercedes benz service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Software calibration number (scn) coding; engine control module. The vehicles fuel tank leak…
- 10028686May 6, 2009Mercedes: air matic visit workshop displayed within instrument cluster. Models 164, 211, 219, 221 and 251. Included 4matic, amg (compressor) amg, bluetec and wagon. Model years…
- 10023372Jan 15, 2008Mercedes-benz models ml63, ml320, ml350, ml500, r320, r350, r500 with code 489 (airmatic suspension) - airmatic inoperative/ (visit workshop) displayed in instrument cluster…
- 10023784Nov 1, 2007Models e320, e500, e55, e350, e550, e63, ml350, ml500, ml63, ml320, ml550, gl450, gl320, gl550 with diesel engine om 642 my 2006-2007 -- update engine control module software.
- 10016656Feb 24, 2006Power closing assist on the tailgate intermittently nonfunctional.
- 10018816Dec 13, 2005Learning in selection range sensor not possible after ehs replacement.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology