Most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 problems
Share of the 99 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz R350 complaints by model year
Best R350 years: 2012, 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007. Compare all years →
2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 recalls (2)
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 brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
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 performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
What 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 owners say
Engine & cooling all 33 →
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. …
Wiring from engine harness to fuel pump burnt on freeway , engine stalled and shut down, could not start back up in middle of i5 freeway. Repairs are amounting to $4000. Could have burnt entire vehicle and after reading numerous complaints with exact same problem something needs to be done.
Suspension all 26 →
The 2006 Mercedes Benz R350 with the airmatic suspension has multiple problems that seem to never end. My car has only 70K miles on it. The suspension has been fixed twice by an authorized Mercedes Benz shop. While looking up some information on various websites and forums I noticed I am not the only owner with this problem. While driving down the highway a light came on the dash screen stating vehicle too low to driveto shop. When the suspension goes out the vehicle frame is approximately 2 inches from the ground. The stiffened ride makes it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. Mercedes Benz stated you can't get a traditional coil spring conversion in the united states. The suspension problems with the R350 are also very costly ($3600) every time this has to be fixed. My car is currently in storage due to not being able to afford a third time to the shop. …
We have had a continuous problem regarding rear suspension, right side started first, the rear would drop down but yet the left side would be up. This created a horrific unsteady drive. We had a suspension air bag replaced. Now the left side is doing it. Car can not be driven. From all that I have read and from dealers, this is a ongoing problem with Mercedes. Why has Mercedes not issued a recall regarding this problem? This should not happen and definitely not at a vehicle that has low miles. Now this issue is also causing uneven wear on tires, 2years later we are still dealing with this issue.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz R350. The contact stated that the front drivers side seat back and cushion heater was activated, while driving approximately 25 MPH. A burning odor emitted inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The seat heater was immediately deactivated. The contact sustained minor burns to the back area and medical attention was not required. There were no flames visible. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the seat and heating element were both replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz R350. When the contact parked the vehicle, she noticed that the driver seat became hot and burned through, creating a hole on the seat. There was no warning indicator illuminated and the contact was not injured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 126,000.
2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 a good car?
Based on 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 R350 rates avoid: 4.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the R350 at the same age. It is one of the R350 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350?
The engine & cooling — 33 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the suspension (26) and electrical system (14).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350, the most recent from April 26, 2024 (vacuum). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz R350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2007. See the full Mercedes-Benz R350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 20% 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.