Mercedes Benz R CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
65,149 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2006 model years. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. 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.
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 | 4 |
2006: 4
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 4 | Not available |
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 150.0%ODI 10585474WE 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 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 150.0%ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 150.0%ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
| Exterior Lighting | 150.0%ODI 10585474WE 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 |
| Power Train | 150.0%ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Too few reports for a range | 65,149 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | Too few reports for a range | 65,149 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 65,149 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2006: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | Exterior Lighting | Power Train |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10585474WE 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 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | — | 1ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… | 0 | 1ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 0 | 1ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… | — | 0 | 1ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… |
| Exterior Lighting | 1ODI 10585474WE 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 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | 1ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… | 1ODI 10376250 · 65,149 mi2006 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… | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.