Mercedes-Benz R Problems by Year

We compared every Mercedes-Benz R model year from 2008–2011 using 0 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 5 recalls and federal defect investigations. No R year stands out with an unusual number of complaints.

2model years
0complaints
5recalls
—worst years
—best years

Complaints by model year

20082011
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz R. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20110—2—Few
20080—3—Few

* Complaints compared with the median R year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Latest Mercedes-Benz R recalls

Fuel system, diesel

NHTSA recall 11V-496 · Oct 3, 2011 · 6,872 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2011 vehicles including e-class (212 platform), manufactured from July 2010 through February 2011, r-class (251 platform), manufactured from April 2010 through April 2011, ml-class (w164 platform), manufactured from January 2010 through March 2011, gl-class (x164…

Remedy: Mbusa will contact owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the diesel fuel filter if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2011. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz USA at 1-800-367-6372.

Fuel system, other › Fuel filter

NHTSA recall 10V-540 · Oct 29, 2010 · 2,297 vehicles

Mercedes Benz is recalling certain model year 2011 m-class, model w164, gl-class, model x164, e-class, model w212, r-class, and model v251vehicles. The o-ring May not have been properly lubricated in all cases. Lack of lubrication can lead to leakage of the fuel filter.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filters free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010. Owners May contact Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372. This campaign has been superseded .

Steering › Hydraulic power assist system

NHTSA recall 08V-682 · Dec 19, 2008 · 577 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 577 my 2008 gl-class, m-class, and r-class vehicles. A defect May exist in the driving pin used to control the oil pressure of the power steering.

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will replace the steering gears. The recall began on January 28, 2009. Owner May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

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.

All 5 Mercedes-Benz R recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mercedes-Benz R should you avoid?

None of the Mercedes-Benz R years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz R had?

5 recalls across 2008–2011. The model year with the most is 2008. See all Mercedes-Benz R recalls by year.

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.