2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 complaints

WHILE DRIVING, SMELLED BURNING ODOR BUT SAW NO SMOKE OR FIRE. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS ON AT TIME ODOR WAS NOTICED. TURNED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND STOPPED VEHICLE. ODOR WENT AWAY BUT NOTICED UPPER LEFT OF SEAT BACK HAD TWO BURN HOLES. MADE APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. *TR

THE REAR END OF MY WIFE R 350 LOWER ITSELF FOR SOME REASON THE REAR END RISE ONCE CRANKED BUT OVER NIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD DEFLATE THE REAR SUSPENSION WOULD JUST DROP LOOK LIKE IT IS ON THE GROUND IT STARTED WITH ONE SIDE THAN THE WHOLE BACK STARTED DROPPING. *TR

I STARTED MY 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350 AND ACTIVATED THE DRIVER SEAT WARMER ON HIGH. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2.2 MILES INTO MY DRIVE (SPEED 30-45 MPH) MY SEAT FELT VERY HOT ON MY LOWER LEFT SIDE NEAR MY WAIST LINE. I REACHED BACK WHILE DRIVING TO FEEL HOW HOT THE SEAT WAS AND WAS SURPRISED BY A VERY HOT SENSATION AS THOUGH I HAD TOUCHED A HOT NEEDLE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND PULL MY BODY FORWARD I NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM BEHIND MY LEFT SHOULDER. I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER ONTO A LEFT SIDE STREET AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK LEAVING IT RUNNING AND JUMPED OUT OF THE SEAT. THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE BURNED IN THE LEATHER AND IT WAS STILL SMOKING. I PATTED THE AREA DOWN WITH MY HAND TO NOTICE A GLOWING ORANGE SPARK AND IT CONTINUED TO SMOKE. I REACHED IN AND TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT BUTTON BY CYCLING IT THOUGH THE 2ND AND 3RD LEVELS. THE SEAT FINALLY STOPPED SMOKING. I LET THE HOLE IN THE SEAT COOL DOWN. CHECKING MY CLOTHING I REALIZED I HAD A HOLE AND SEVERAL MELTED SPOTS ON MY POLYESTER VEST I WAS WEARING. UPON COMING HOME I NOTICED ALSO A HOLE IN MY LIGHT COTTON SWEATER THAT WAS WORN UNDER THE VEST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I HAD FELT THE SEAT WAS HOT IN THE SAME AREA BUT THOUGHT MY SHIRT AT THE TIME WAS RAISED EXPOSING MY SKIN TO THE SEAT. *TR

THE CAR IS LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. WHILE DRIVING I GET A WARNING THAT THE CAR IS TO LOW. I ALSO GET THE WARNING THAT MY TIRE PRESSURE IS LOW, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR BEGAN LEANING A FEW MONTHS AGO AND WOULD COME AND GO. THE CAR IS NOW PERMANENTLY LEANING TO THE RIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM CAUSED THE FRONT END TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXACT REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME APPEARED TO BE LEANING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE COULD FEEL THE FRAME MOVING AROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR HIGHER, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD LOWER TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY WIFE CAME OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS LEANING SEVERELY TO ONE SIDE. THE DRIVER FRONT AND REAR WAS TILTED, SOMETHING I NEVER WITNESSED BEFORE ON ANY VEHICLE I ONCE OWNED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SENSOR THAT CONTROLLED THE BALANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SENSOR WAS CHANGED AND A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED LEANING AGAIN. I NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS IT WILL BEGIN TO LEAN, BUT ONCE IT IS DRIVEN FOR 10 MILES IT BEGINS TO BALANCE ITSELF. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT YOU ALL ABOUT THIS SITUATION, HOWEVER TO NO , SO NOW I WILL BEGIN TAKING FURTHER PROCEDURES TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION, AND NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR A DEFAULT THAT`S INCONCEIVABLE. *TR

PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION. THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND CAUSES YOUR VEHICLE TO LEAN TO ONE SIDE AT THIS POINT YOUR TURN RADIUS IS HINDERED SEVERELY.YOU ALSO NOW ARE ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED,SO HOPEFULLY YOU ARE NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS.I KNOW 3 DIFFERENT PERSONS BESIDES MYSELF WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, AND THANKFULLY THIS MAJOR MALFUNCTION HAS NOT CAUSED ANY TRAFFIC/INJURY INCIDENTS.THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR FLAW IN WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS. *JS

BALANCE SHAFT,,,,COAD 1200&1208. *TR

THE CAR IS IN TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE BALANCE SHAFT. AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET TO DETERMINE IF THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE IT HAD BECOME APPARENT THIS EXACT REPAIR IS VERY COMMON FOR THE 2006 R350. THE TOTAL EXPENSE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $6,500-7,000 USD. THERE HAS BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE FILED IN THE STATE OF NJ AGAINST MERCEDES FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CODES FOR BALANCE SHAFT AND INTAKE. DEALER QUOTES $7000 FOR WORK. *TR

MY ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STRUT HAD GONE BAD AND THE CAM IN THE ENGINE WENT BAD. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IS NORMAL IN THE 06 R350 AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. IM UPSET BECAUSE IM VIEWING YOUR WEBSITE AND OTHER SITES THAT ARE DESIGN FOR OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLES AND THEY ARE SHOWING THE SAME PROBLEMS.. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC THAT WORKS ON FOREIGN CARS, HE INFORMED ME THAT MY DRIVE CAM SHAFT IS "RETARDED" BASICALLY STATING THAT MY SPROCKETS THAT HOLD THE TIMING BELT ARE WORN DOWN, I AM ALSO LOOSING COMPRESSION. I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL GOODWILL THE REPAIR IF THAT IS REALLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY HOWEVER PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT YOUR CAR HAS ALMOST 100,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT MAY JUST BE THE TIMING BELT IS WORN DOWN.(THEY WILL TRY ANYTHING TO GET OUT OF THE REPAIR). THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY NEED TO CHECK THE RECORDS TO SEE WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND ALSO THAT SINCE I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAR FROM THEM THEY DO NOT HAVE TO DO THE WORK. *TR

2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL INTERSECTION SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AFTER GETTING THE CAR, WE ALSO FELT A STRONG JERKING THEN SHIFTING GEARS, BUT IT WAS DOING IT ON ITS OWN. WE TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD IT'S JUST LOUD. THEN WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO FIX IT BUT IT NEVER STOPPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE ENGINE HAD TO BE FIXED RATHER QUICKLY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN THE END OF 2005, AND HAS 88,000 MILES. OVER A YEAR AGO, THE CAR BEGAN IDLING/SHAKING REALLY BAD. I CALLED MB ROADSIDE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE THE GAS CAP WASN'T PLACED BACK ON THE CAR CORRECTLY AND GAS WAS LEAKING. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO GAS LEAKING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE COULD BE DIAGNOSED. THE CAR IS STILL IDLING BAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT IS NOW BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM FOR A DIAGNOSIS, WHICH I SHOULD RECEIVE TOMORROW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WARMER ACTIVATED, THE SEAT STARTED TO BURN AND SMOKE WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BY TURNING OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR BURNS TO THE HIP AND FINGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

REAR LIGHT MODULES (TAIL, REVERSE, BRAKE, SIGNAL) KEEPS ON FAILING. DEALER QUOTES INITIALLY $200 TO FIX/REWIRE BUT THEN GOES UP TO $800 TO REPLACE ECU. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AS THIS IS DRIVING HAZARD, OWNERS ARE LEFT WITHOUT MUCH CHOICE. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE SO MB SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND BE HONEST UPFRONT ABOUT IT. I HOPE NOBODY GETS HURT IF THE LIGHTS FAIL WHILE DRIVING THIS MODEL/BRAND. *TR

MY 2006 R350 HAS A BALANCE SHAFT ISSUE (GOT THE CODES P0016 AND P0017) ON THE SCANNER. IT SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE ARE ONLY 41K MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

BALANCE SHAFT PROBLEM WITH MB R350, 2006 ENGINE W272 65000 MILES DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR AN EXCHANGE ARGUING THIS CAR HAS POTENTIAL PROBLEM PROVEN WITH THE AMOUNT OF REPAIR DONE TO THIS KIND OF ENGINE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ( 6 TO 7K) MERCEDES SHOULD ASSUME THE COST OF REPAIR AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL M272 AND M273 ENGINES IN USA AND CANADA. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION AND WAS TAKEN TO A MERCEDES DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THEY REPORT THAT THERE IS A BALANCE SHIFT PROBLEM THAT WAS RELATED TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE REPAIR COSTS 5,000.00. I FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS ID A DEFECTIVE PART AND WILL NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE DUE TO FINANCIAL RAMIFICATIONS. *TR

MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A COUNTER BALANCE SHAFT/GEAR PROBLEM. IT HAS 85000 MILES... WHICH DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A LOT FOR A CAR THAT IS 5 YEARS OLD AND SUPPOSED TO LAST FOREVER. PLUS I HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR WITH OIL CHANGES, TIRES, ETC AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I SEE ON LINE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT PENDING . I BELIEVE A $5000 REPAIR IS WAY TOO MUCH AND THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

GEAR GETS STRUCK IN MERCEDES-BENZ R350. *TR

MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICE BY MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. I BARELY DRIVE MY R350 MERCEDES. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY BALANCE SHAFT AND INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID ITS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCUR WITH THE 2006 AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY ITS NOT A RECALL. *KB

THE VEHICLE INDICATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ERROR CODE SHOWS P0016 WHICH IS SHAFT BALANCE ISSUE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ATTEND TO IT DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT A KNOWN ERROR FROM FACTORY. THE ISSUE WOULD REOCCUR BECAUSE OF POOR MATERIAL AND COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL WHILE IN TRAVEL.

I HAVE A 2006 MERCEDES R350 THAT WE BOUGHT USED IN 2009. THE CAR NOW HAS 51,560 MILES AND THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL IS OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF 3500.00. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MILEAGE ON THE CAR. MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. I AM FIGHTING WITH THEM NOW TO JUST GET THEM TO COVER HALF THE COST. EVEN THOUGH IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM STARTED BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT AND I CALLED THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY RAN OUT ON FRIDAY AND I CALLED ON MONDAY SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. *TR

A DEFECTIVE DRAIN OR FILTER ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE VENTILATION UNIT. THIS DAMAGES THE ELECTRICAL REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. RESIDUAL WATER LEAKS TO THE CARPET, CAUSING MILDEW SMELLS. *TR

BALANCE SHAFT PROBLEMS IN 2006 R350 MERCEDES BENZ AT 62K MILES. *TR

TAIL LIGHTS DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, JUST THE SUBSTITUTE BULBS. I CHANGED OUT ALL THE BULBS BUT STILL NO STOP, TAIL LIGHTS. FUSES ALL GOOD. *TR

DETAILED VEHICLE INFORMATION: VIN: [XXX] MODEL YEAR: 2006 MODEL: R350 (MODEL CODE 251.156/165) ENGINE: 3.5L 90 V6 (M272) CURRENT MILEAGE: APPROXIMATELY 48,500 MILES REFERENCE: MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN S-B-03.30/08J: MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ENGINE LOST POWER AND DEVELOPED STRONG VIBRATIONS, FORCING ME TO SLOW DOWN AND LIMP HOME. MERCEDES MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS BROKEN BALANCE SHAFT GEAR. DUE TO WEAK MATERIALS USED IN THE EARLY M272 ENGINE PRODUCTION, THE BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS CAN FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY. THIS IS KNOWN DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. *TR

A DEFECTIVE DRAIN AND/OR AIR BOX ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE INTERIOR AIR HANDLER/BLOWER UNIT. THIS DAMAGES THE BLOWER REQUIRING REPLACEMENT AND LEAKS TO THE CARPET, CAUSING MILDEW SMELLS AND POTENTIAL RUST. THE PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED BY MBUSA. *TR

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 , THEREBY PRESENTING A DANGER TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS; SAFETY RECALL IS IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ENGINE TYPES

2006 MERCEDES R350, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REPLACED MAGNETS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED. DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE BALANCE SHAFT & GEAR. MERCEDES SAYS MOTOR HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE BALANCE SHAFT, GEAR, TIMING CHAIN, OIL PUMP AND RELATED TENSIONERS AND GUIDES. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MB HAS BEEN AWARE OF SINCE 2007. CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE DRIVING IT RISKS SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO POSSIBLY JUMPING TIME. *TR

MERCEDES BENZ R 350, EARLY WEAR ON BALANCED GEAR AND TIMING CHAIN,LESS THAT 40,000 MILES,CODE1200 AND 1208,MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY KNOW THAT THE MATERIALS USED ON THAT PARTS AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GO ON AND FUEL ECONOMY IS VERY LOW,THE COMPANY KNOW THE CAUSE AND MAKE CHANGE ON NEW PARTS MATERIALS,BUT NO SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN POSTED TO CUSTOMERS WITH THAT PROBLEMS. *TR

MERCEDES-BENZ BALANCE SHAFT ISSUES THAT EFFECT 2006 PLUS YEARS, R350 AND OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, GIVING A FAULT CODE, BALANCE SHAFT ISSUE. THE FIX IS VERY EXPENSIVE, RANGING FROM $4,000 TO $7,500. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2007. HOWEVER, CURRENTLY MB IS NOT NOTIFYING CONSUMERS OR PAYING FOR THE TOTAL REPAIR OF THE BALANCE SHAFT. *TR

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

ON MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350, THE REAR BRAKELIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS REGULARLY FAIL TO ELIMINATE. THE LIGHTS ARE VERY INCONSISTENT AND WHEN THEY FAIL A BACK-UP SUBSTITUTE LIGHT COMES ON. A MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASH INDICATING THAT THE SUBSTITUTE LIGHTS ARE ON. AFTER CHANGING THE BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES, I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT MERCEDES THAT THE CONTACT MAY BE WORN OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TAILLIGHTS FAILED. THE EXTERIOR LIGHT WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NONFUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,106. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 02/22/11

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.

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

ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON MY DASHBOARD. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO MORE DAYS AND THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. AND THEN ON THE FOURTH DAY THE LIGHT APPEAR AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE AND ASKED THE ABOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS INFORMED NOT TO PANIC IT'S PROBABLY THE GAS CAP NOT PROPERLY ON OR SINCE I WAS AWAY FOR ONE WEEK AND MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE MAYBE THAT IS WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I THEN DECIDE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE RIGHT TO MERCEDES BENZ BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES WITH THIS MESSAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND INFORMED THE SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT THE LIGHT. LATER ON THAT DAY I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL INFORMING ME THE VEHICLE NEEDS A COUNTER BALANCER? I ASKED HIM HOW DOES HE KNOW AND HE REPLIED THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAW SMALL METAL PARTICLES IN MY OIL PAN. MY VEHICLE WAS FULLY SERVICED IN MARCH, 2010 THE REPAIR HE TOLD ME WILL BE VERY COSTLY BETWEEN $4000-$6000 FOR A COUNTER BALANCER ! I LEFT THE VEHICLE AND CALLED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER CARE TO ASK THEM ABOUT THIS PART. THE CUSTOMER CARE REP INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND TO GO GET MY VEHICLE BEFORE THEY START THE REPAIR. I WENT BACK TO GET MY VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND MAY STOP ON ME WHILE IN DRIVE. I HAD NO OTHER RECOURSE BUT TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIR. WHEN I PICK UP MY VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS LATER I ASKED AGAIN ABOUT THE

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT ONLY 55,600 MILES. COST IS $3,000 DOLLARS AND VEHICLE IS ONLY 5,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE ARE MANY OTHER MERCEDES 4MATIC WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, THIS IS AN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT MERCEDES IS NOT CORRECTING. DO NOT BUY A MERCEDES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES R350. WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEATED SEATS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT COULD SMELL AND SEE SMOKE AS THE SEAT BEGAN TO BURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 49,000.

HEADLAMPS SHINE TOO CLOSE TO CAR. ONLY SHINE 40-50 FEET OUT TO THE FRONT AND AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN RAIN, YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT SEE THE ROAD OR HAZARDS IN IT, SUCH AS DEER. *TR

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 APPROXIMATELY 49,000.

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.

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. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A POLICE REPORT. *JB

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

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 THE KEY GOING TO THE OFF POSITION. MERCEDES BENZ HAS THE CAR PROGRAMMED SO THAT IF THE USER FORGETS TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, PARK WILL BE ENGAGED ONCE THE KEY IS REMOVED (A HAPTIC ADMISSION OF GUILT). FOR SAFETY REASONS THE LOGIC SHOULD BE MODIFIED SLIGHTLY TO: ZEROSPD+(DOOROPEN*KEYOFF)=PARK I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY SEE THIS AS MY WIFE'S FAULT. IT IS SIMPLE TO THEM, PEOPLE DON'T LEAVE THEIR KEYS IN THEIR CARS SO GOING INTO PARK ONCE THE KEY IS REMOVED IS FINE. THE SHIFTER THIS CAR HAS IS HIDDEN BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND WILL TAKE A LOT OF GETTING USED TO IN ORDER TO REMEMBER TO PUT IT IN PARK. ON THE SECOND DAY WE HAD THE CAR HOME I ALMOST GOT OUT WITHOUT BEING IN PARK. IT WILL COST $1100 FOR A NEW GARAGE DOOR AND THE R350 HAS SOME MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE FACIA. TO ME THIS IS SIMPLE, MERCEDES BENZ PUTS THE CAR IN PARK (FOR THOSE THAT FORGET) ONE STEP TOO LATE OVERLOOKING CONDITIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO SAFER LOGIC. MY SON COULD HAVE B

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.