AI DamageMercedes-Benz R500: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz R500 across 3 model years: 29 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 21% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 21% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 14% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (21% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (21% of all).
- Suspension: 6 complaints (21% of all).
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (17% of all).
- Seats: 4 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The front and rear driver side air bags failed to deploy. The front passenger sustained injuries to the left forearm, right shoulder, and right side of the neck that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Tl contact owns a 2006 mercedes r500. The contact stated that the driver was trying to park the vehicle while driving 5 mph and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle continued to accelerate until it crashed into a tree. The contact didn't mention any injuries. None of the air bags deployed upon impact.
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.
My 2006 R-500 is leaning from the (front and back) passenger side, causing the vehicle to be unsecure to drive... It feels like both side tires are TOTALLY FLAT. I'm not a mechanic, but it looks like the AIR SUSPENSION IS MALFUNTION
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.