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 …
2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class electrical problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
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
WIRING FROM ENGINE HARNESS TO FUEL PUMP BURNT ON FREEWAY , ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN, COULD NOT START BACK UP IN MIDDLE OF I5 FREEWAY. REPAIRS ARE AMOUNTING TO $4000. COULD HAVE BURNT ENTIRE VEHICLE AND AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
REAR LIGHT MODULES (TAIL, REVERSE, BRAKE, SIGNAL) KEEPS ON FAILING. DEALER QUOTES INITIALLY $250 TO FIX/REWIRE BUT THEN GOES UP TO $950 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 …
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…
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…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR TAILGATE AREA WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME HOT AND BURNED THROUGH, CREATING A HOLE ON THE SEAT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHI…
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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