2006 Mercedes Benz S500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
68,043 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 2; Suspension: 2; Tires: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Steering: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10132468 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
DT: THE CALLER SAID VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENED VEHICLE BUCKED FORWARD. THE CALLER PULLED OVER AS SOON AS SHE COULD BECAUSE SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES, TWO TIME IN JUNE, ONCE IN JULY AND TWICE IN AUGUST. THE DEALER SAID NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205379 · 2007-10-10 (October 10, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS 500. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE MANUFACTURED BY CONTINENTAL, SIZE 245-40R1893Y DOT CUUYP3HK AND 375-35R1895Y DOT CUBLT3HK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND FOUND A BLISTER ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7300. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
Owner-reported narrative. 7,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392405 · 2011-03-21 (March 21, 2011)
THE TELEMATICS DEVICE IN MY 2006 MB S500 SPONTANEOUSLY MALFUNCTIONED. NO KNOWN EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, TOTAL LOSS OF INFORMATION AND SAFETY UPLINK, TOTAL LOSS OF NEW $300 MBRACE SUBSCRIPTION VALUE, AS OF 21 MAR 2011, NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT OTHER THAN CALL TO DEALER. WAS A PRIOR RECALL DONE THAT WOULD HAVE IMPACTED THE VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT OR THE ASSOCIATED VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10393765 · 2011-03-30 (March 30, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ S500 WITH YOKOHAMA ADVANCE S4 TIRES, TIRE SIZE P265/40R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACTS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIRE WITH ANOTHER BRAND BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL BRAND WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IT WOULD TAKE …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557207 · 2013-12-25 (December 25, 2013)
MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR. I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT DID NOT CLEAR. I GOT A "PRE-SAFE UNAVAILABLE" MESSAGE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND LEARNED THIS IS A "TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE" FAILURE. IT IS VERY UNSAFE IN THAT THE CAR CANNOT KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AND IS A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562229 · 2014-01-30 (January 30, 2014)
WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO GO TO THE PHARMACY TO GET MY ASTHMA MEDS AND THE CAR WAS DOWN ON THE GROUND,TOTALLY DEFLATED SHOCKS. START CAR AND RISES TO HEIGHT BUT SINKS WHEN CAR IS OFF, THIS IS A DANGER IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, I HAVE A WIFE AND A YOUNG SON. I FEEL THAT THE DEALERS SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM CORRECTLY, AND NOT HAVE PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER ON THE ROADS OF AMERICA, ANY HELP WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU , A CAUTIOUS DRIVER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10653075 · 2014-11-06 (November 6, 2014)
THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN THREE TIMES IN ABOUT 6 MINUTES IN ONE NIGHT. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE ENGINE CUT OFF, ALMOST BEFORE I KNEW WHAT HAPPEN THE ENGINE STARTED BACK RUNNING. IN LESS THAN A MINUTE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. THE ENGINE CUT OUT THEN STARTED BEFORE I COULD DO ANYTHING. THE THIRD TIME IT CUT OUT COMPLETE AND STAYED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. IT WAS VERY SCARY, ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND I WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. IT'S HAPPEN BEFORE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I MENTION IT TO THE DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10653075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10716369 · 2015-05-14 (May 14, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE FRONT END DROPPED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HAD TO SLOWLY MOVE TO THE RIGHT LANE WHILE TRAFFIC IS GOING 70. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 114,343 miles reported. Look up ODI 10716369 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.