NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
99 reports176,960 miles · Jun 15, 2017
SeatsFire
THE HEATED SEATS WERE TURNED ON THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU ON JUNE 15, 2017 AROUND 1:00AM. I PULLED OF AFTER GETTING MY FOOD. THEN WHILE I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT I STARTED TO FEEL REALLY WARM ON MY BACK AND SIDE, HOTTER THAN NORMAL. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE! I PULLED OVER QUICKLY AND GO…
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THE HEATED SEATS WERE TURNED ON THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU ON JUNE 15, 2017 AROUND 1:00AM. I PULLED OF AFTER GETTING MY FOOD. THEN WHILE I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT I STARTED TO FEEL REALLY WARM ON MY BACK AND SIDE, HOTTER THAN NORMAL. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE! I PULLED OVER QUICKLY AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I REALIZED MY CLOTHING WAS SMOKING AND THE BACK OF MY SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WENT OUT AND MY JACKET AND T SHIRT HAD BURNS AND ASHES ON THEM AND MY DRIVER SEAT HAD LARGE HOLE IN IT.
NHTSA ODI #10995346
99,000 miles · Feb 24, 2017
Engine
BALANCE SHAFT GEAR DEFECTIVE APPARENTLY MERCEDES HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, CLASS ACTION SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED- NO RECALL YET. I PLAN TO CALL MERCEDES DEALER TOMORROW- DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY HELP ON THEIR PART - IF THAT'S THE CASE WILL TRY TO JOIN CLASS ACTION SUIT AS THIS IS A KNOWN AND VERY COSTLY -(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) P…
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BALANCE SHAFT GEAR DEFECTIVE APPARENTLY MERCEDES HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, CLASS ACTION SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED- NO RECALL YET. I PLAN TO CALL MERCEDES DEALER TOMORROW- DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY HELP ON THEIR PART - IF THAT'S THE CASE WILL TRY TO JOIN CLASS ACTION SUIT AS THIS IS A KNOWN AND VERY COSTLY -(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) PROBLEM FOR NUMEROUS MB VEHICLES- MANY CLASSES FROM 2007 -2011. MERCEDES BENZ WAS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE (USED) FROM LOCAL MB DEALER HERE IN NY 2009 AS A PRE OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE, WHY WAS I NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE THAT MERCEDES KNOWINGLY KNEW AND COME TO FIND OUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED. THE NHTSA NEED S TO LOOK INTO THIS MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED, MERCEDES SERVICE TECHS WERE MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT THEY WERE NOT INSTRUCTED TO LET CUSTOMERS BE KNOWN OF THIS WHEN CARS WERE BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND RECALLS MUST BE PREFORMED
NHTSA ODI #10956705
128,000 miles · Feb 5, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE CANT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20MPH ON FREEWAY VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART CAR TO RESET. CAR JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRONICS DIED ON STREET. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAYS NEEDS NEW VALVE BODY OF TRANSMISSION. RESEARCHED ONLINE VERY COMMON PROBLEM. DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING A…
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CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE CANT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20MPH ON FREEWAY VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART CAR TO RESET. CAR JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRONICS DIED ON STREET. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAYS NEEDS NEW VALVE BODY OF TRANSMISSION. RESEARCHED ONLINE VERY COMMON PROBLEM. DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #10949628
50,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR, RELAY, FUSE LINK, AIR SUSPENSION, AND CORE RETURN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR, RELAY, FUSE LINK, AIR SUSPENSION, AND CORE RETURN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10892985
100,000 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Engine
THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE BUT MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BALANCE SHAFT AS A DEFECT AND ROAD SAFETY HAZARD. UNFORTUNATELY IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE'S ENGINE FALLING A PART AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BEFORE SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING WHICH IS TERRIBLE. MERCEDES-BENZ BALANCE SHAFT PROBLEMS AND HOW …
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THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE BUT MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BALANCE SHAFT AS A DEFECT AND ROAD SAFETY HAZARD. UNFORTUNATELY IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE'S ENGINE FALLING A PART AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BEFORE SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING WHICH IS TERRIBLE. MERCEDES-BENZ BALANCE SHAFT PROBLEMS AND HOW TO CHECK YOUR CAR. BALANCE SHAFT MERCEDES V6 AND V8 PROBLEMS MERCEDES-BENZ V6 AND V8 ENGINES HAD TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS CAUSED BY BALANCE SHAFT AND IDLER GEAR FAILURES. MERCEDES PRODUCED CERTAIN MODELS WITH DEFECTIVE GEARS IN THEIR BALANCE SHAFTS (M272 ENGINES) OR WITH DEFECTIVE IDLE GEARS ( M273 ENGINES). THESE FAULTY GEARS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, EXCESSIVELY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION, THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE TO MISFIRE OR STOP DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10885935
110,000 miles · Jul 2, 2016
Suspension
EVERYDAY I GET A RED SIGNAL ALERTING ME TO STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN INITIALLY TURNING ON THE CAR OR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVE. THE REAR OF THE CAR IS VISIBLY LOW AND WHEN DRIVING IT IS UNEVEN AND BUMPY. I HAVE SEEN OTHER R350 OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT AND REPEAT COSTS TO FIX ~1200.00 EACH SIDE. …
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EVERYDAY I GET A RED SIGNAL ALERTING ME TO STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN INITIALLY TURNING ON THE CAR OR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVE. THE REAR OF THE CAR IS VISIBLY LOW AND WHEN DRIVING IT IS UNEVEN AND BUMPY. I HAVE SEEN OTHER R350 OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT AND REPEAT COSTS TO FIX ~1200.00 EACH SIDE. NO SUSPENSION RECALLS ON AN APPARENT DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING?
NHTSA ODI #10882226
110,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LEANED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BECOME ELEVATED. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LEANED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BECOME ELEVATED. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10875523
70,000 miles · May 20, 2016
Suspension
THE 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO NEVER END. MY CAR HAS ONLY 70K MILES ON IT. THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE BY AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ SHOP. WHILE LOOKING UP SOME INFORMATION ON VARIOUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS I NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHI…
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THE 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO NEVER END. MY CAR HAS ONLY 70K MILES ON IT. THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE BY AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ SHOP. WHILE LOOKING UP SOME INFORMATION ON VARIOUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS I NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH SCREEN STATING VEHICLE TOO LOW TO DRIVETO SHOP. WHEN THE SUSPENSION GOES OUT THE VEHICLE FRAME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. THE STIFFENED RIDE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ STATED YOU CAN'T GET A TRADITIONAL COIL SPRING CONVERSION IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH THE R350 ARE ALSO VERY COSTLY ($3600) EVERY TIME THIS HAS TO BE FIXED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN STORAGE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD A THIRD TIME TO THE SHOP. PLEASE CONSIDER AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SUSPENSION OF THE MERCEDES BENZ R350 AIRMATIC THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10870100
130,000 miles · Dec 30, 2015
Electrical SystemSeatsFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK AND CUSHION HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK AND CUSHION HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE BACK AREA AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SEAT AND HEATING ELEMENT WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10817006
88,000 miles · Dec 23, 2015
Engine
VEHICLE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START, DEALER FIRST REPLACED FUEL PUMP ($1500),THEN WHEN CAME TO PICKUP VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT DEALER, REPLACED STARTER(NO CHARGE), DROVE FOR 2 WEEKS ISSUE CAME BACK, TOOK TO DEALER , THEY KEPT IT FOR 20 DAYS AND SAID SOME SORT OF CONTROL MODULE, BUT WHO KNOWS. ITS BEEN 15 MONTHS AND CAR JUST STOP…
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VEHICLE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START, DEALER FIRST REPLACED FUEL PUMP ($1500),THEN WHEN CAME TO PICKUP VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT DEALER, REPLACED STARTER(NO CHARGE), DROVE FOR 2 WEEKS ISSUE CAME BACK, TOOK TO DEALER , THEY KEPT IT FOR 20 DAYS AND SAID SOME SORT OF CONTROL MODULE, BUT WHO KNOWS. ITS BEEN 15 MONTHS AND CAR JUST STOPPED SMACK IN MIDDLE OF FREEWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AND WOULD NOT START. CURRENTLY AT DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #10811956