Mercedes-Benz R350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
235 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 175 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 55 of 235 complaints (23.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 31 | 13.2% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 6.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 55 |
| Air Bags | 40 |
| Engine | 32 |
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Seats | 16 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
Suspension: 55; Air Bags: 40; Engine: 32; Electrical System: 26; Seats: 16; Steering: 16; Power Train: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 50 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 50 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 38 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 50; 75,000 to 99,999: 50; 100,000 to 149,999: 38; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (50). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 14; 2011: 23; 2012: 14; 2013: 37; 2014: 20; 2015: 21; 2016: 15; 2017: 24; 2018: 19; 2019: 12; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 13; 2023: 8; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10155614 · 2006-04-18 (April 18, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THERE WAS A TAPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND THIS WAS REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS, BUT WAS NOT PLACED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE BRAKES WERE NORMAL.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10366845 · 2010-11-19 (November 19, 2010)
OUR 2006 R350 HAD ALL THE TAIL LIGHTS BURN OUT AT THE SAME TIME RESULTING IN A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR WITH A WIRE HARNESS THAT CONTROLS THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. WHEN THIS HARNESS FAILS THE TAIL LIGHTS STOP WORKING. MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HAS A TSB ON IT, BUT WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE MERCEDES FORUMS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157229 · 2006-05-11 (May 11, 2006)
MY WIFE DROVE OUR MERCEDES BENZ R350 TO A FRIENDS HOUSE TO DROP OFF THE KIDS. UPON STOPPING ON THE DRIVEWAY MY WIFE SHUT THE CAR OFF (KEY IN OFF POSITION) GOT OUT AND WENT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO HELP MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE THIRD ROW. AT THAT SAME TIME MY SON EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR. AS MY WIFE BEGAN TO MOVE THE SEAT FOR MY DAUGHTER THE CAR ROLLED DUE TO NOT BEING IN PARK, ROLLED PAST MY SON AND WENT THROUGH THE FRIENDS GARAGE DOOR. ALL CARS I KNOW OF THAT ARE AUTOMATICS REQUIRE THE VEHICLE BE IN PARK PRIOR TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160841 · 2006-06-27 (June 27, 2006)
MERCEDES R CLASS SPEED SENSITIVE STEERING HAS LITTLE PLAY AND ITS MEASUREMENT OF HARDENING AND SOFTENING THE STEERING IS UNPREDICTABLE. SOMETIME STEERING ITSELF BECOME VERY SOFT THAT VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL AND SOMETIME IT BECOMES VERY HARD. TOTAL RANDOM BEHAVIOR, EFFECT DRIVING AND SAFETY. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10160841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375206 · 2011-01-08 (January 8, 2011)
AFTER A NORMAL DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I STOPPED FOR A SMALL AMOUT OF TIME SWITCHED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR WOULD NOT START, AFTER 30 MINUTES OF THIS I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS HE INFORMED ME THAT HE CHECKED THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SYSTEM. EVERYTHING CHECKED OK. HE REINSTALLED THE PARTS AND THE CAR STARTED FINE FOR THREE DAYS. I PICKED UP THE CAR ONLY TO HAVE IT STALL AGAIN IN A MATTER OF HOURS, WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. *LN
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10375206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10382027 · 2011-02-08 (February 8, 2011)
2006 MERCEDES BENZ R 350, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT APPROX 66,000 MILES; POSSIBLE BALANCE SHAFT WEAR INDICATIONS; MB DEALER CLEARED CEL AND PERFORMED TEST DRIVE WITHOUT IT REAPPEARING; CEL ILLUMINATED AGAIN WITHIN 50 MILES; SUBSEQUENT VISIT TO MB DEALER CONFIRMED EARLY WEAR ON BALANCE SHAFT GEAR AND TIMING CHAIN; MERCEDES BENZ KNOWS THAT THE MATERIALS USED WERE INSUFFICIENTLY HARDENED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR AND POSSIBLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING ,…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10382027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191576 · 2007-05-23 (May 23, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLER PULLEY, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE RUN FLAT INDICATOR LIGHT AND THE ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND THE POWER SUNROOF LID WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER ORDERED AN UNDISCLOSED PART FROM GERMANY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367058 · 2010-11-22 (November 22, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN ON. THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A WIRING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181604 · 2007-01-26 (January 26, 2007)
2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 PROBLEM WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSION **CC THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND STRUCK A PARKED CAR. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THE REASON WHY THE VEHICLE ROLLED, WAS BECAUSE HE LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER STATED A BUTTON MUST BE PUSHED TO PLACE IN TO PARK. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONSUMER DIDN'T PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. IT WAS STATED THAT IF THE KEY IS LEFT IN THE IGNITION, AND NOT PLACED INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO PARK BY ITSELF. THE CONCLUSION WAS USER ERROR. T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10181604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286609 · 2009-10-07 (October 7, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE HESITATED THEN ACCELERATED UP TO 20000 RPMS (TACHOMETER RED LINE). HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION'S ELECTRONIC DEVICE FAILED. HOWEVER HE SPECULATES THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS AP…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10811951 · 2015-12-23 (December 23, 2015)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10811951 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 3