2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Problems & Complaints

Few complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (1 complaint, typically around 65,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

2complaints
4recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class problems

  • Engine & cooling~65,000 miles
    150%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~65,000 miles
    150%
  • Electrical system
    150%
  • Lights
    150%

Share of the 2 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class complaints by model year

2006200724
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz R-Class. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Compare all Mercedes-Benz R-Class years →

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class recalls (4)

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 08V-303 · Jul 7, 2008 · 404 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2008. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel

NHTSA recall 08V-006 · Jan 9, 2008 · 9,004 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles equipped with diesel engines, the crankshaft sensor could fail due to separation of bond wires from the lead frame in the sensor. This results in an interruption in the electrical connection in the chip housing of the sensor.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor. The recall began on February 4, 2008. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Electrical system › Starter assembly

NHTSA recall 06V-098 · Apr 3, 2006 · 7,000 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the starter wiring harness May be routed incorrectly. This routing could lead to chafing of the protective sleeve covering the starter wiring harness at the engine mount cover.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and where necessary, correct, the routing of the wiring harness. In the case of wear, the protective sleeve, and if necessary, the starter wiring harness, will be replaced.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Buckle assembly

NHTSA recall 06V-101 · Apr 3, 2006 · 2,500 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, during the production process, the threads in the nut used to secure the seat belt buckle in a limited number of second row seats May be missing. The absence of the screw threads results in an incomplete connection of the buckle to the seat.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the nut is missing and replace the seat if necessary free of charge. The recall began on May 3, 2006. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.5L 6-cyl7-speed automatic4WD/AWD15 / 20 / 16
5.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic4WD/AWD12 / 17 / 14

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class a good car?

That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. So far owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?

The engine & cooling — 1 complaint, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (1) and electrical system (1).

How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class, the most recent from July 7, 2008 (electrical system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.