2006 Mercedes Benz R CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls

2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 3.5 272 ENGINE CONSTANT CEL FOR P0016 P0017 CAM BALANCE SHAFTS FOR LEFT SIDE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAM BALANCERS WORN GEARS DUE TO INCORRECTLY HARDENED GEARS DURING MANUFACTURE. IF GEARS FAIL ENGINE WILL FAIL TIMING CHAIN MAY CAUSE ENGINE TO SEIZE OR SMASH VALVES POSSIBLY CAUSING A WRECK IF OCCURS AT HIGH SPEED. MB HAS KNOWN THAT THEIR ENGINES ARE UNSAFE SINCE 2007 ISSUING TSB'S BUT NOT RECALLING ENGINES EXPECTING CUSTOMERS TO PAY FROM $4000 TO $7500 FOR REPAIRS AFTER THEY HAVE DONE MINOR REPAIRS SUCH AS REPLACING THE SOLEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 65,149 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376250 at NHTSA ↗

WE THOUGHT THAT OUR CAR WAS BURNING OUT THE REAR BULBS REALLY FAST OR THAT THERE WAS A SHORT. TURNS OUT THAT WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS TO THE BALANCE SHAFT, WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS INDEED A SHORT IN THE HARNESS. APPARENTLY, THE C-CLASS IS NOT THE ONLY MODEL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10585474 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-04-03 (April 3, 2006)

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.

Consequence: OVER TIME, SUCH CHAFING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO WEAR THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AND MAY EXPOSE THE UNDERLYING STARTER WIRING HARNESS TO FURTHER CHAFING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, AND THE LOSS OF FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Reported: 2006-04-03 (April 3, 2006)

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.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

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.

Reported: 2008-01-09 (January 9, 2008)

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.

Consequence: WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE POWER RATHER THAN ENTER A LIMP-HOME MODE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED AFTER FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE SENSOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Reported: 2008-07-07 (July 7, 2008)

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. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.

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.