Most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz R500 complaints by model year
2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 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 R500 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the power steering was not functioning, after which the vehicle lost all power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed an unknown fluid covering various components. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I was purchasing a 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 Black on November 3,2021, VIN: [redacted]. in the process of driving the vehicle less than ten miles, part of the part of transmission case broke off. The steering was hard to turn and this is a Salvage vehicle.
Steering
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the power steering was not functioning, after which the vehicle lost all power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed an unknown fluid covering various components. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I was purchasing a 2006 Mercedes Benz R500 Black on November 3,2021, VIN: [redacted]. in the process of driving the vehicle less than ten miles, part of the part of transmission case broke off. The steering was hard to turn and this is a Salvage vehicle.
Electrical system
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! Thus, causing physical and mental injuries, smoke and property damage and a complete sense of insecurity. …
Vehicle has been undriveable on and off for 6 months with defective starter wiring harness which the wires are exposed, and starting intermittently. Towed from the street 2 months ago and sitting at the mechanic trying to help me. Mercedes Benz has a safety recall #2006040002 for the exact problem. They tell me it is for the 2006 r350 and not the R500 maybe because they were very limited. Theses models are the same built chassis everywhere, including the starter wiring harness, except I have the upgraded v8. And they refuse to fix. Since this has caused me break down issues and is a potential safety hazard as described. I have paid $1200 a year ago to replace a defective wire harness inside the chassis, as the car smoked and almost caught fire as I had to pull off the road and tow. Am I stuck again?? [redacted]
2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the R500 to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500?
The transmission & drivetrain — 6 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the steering (5) and electrical system (5).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500, 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.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 93,000 miles; 27% 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.