My transmission would not shift out of second gear. I turned it off and back on and it did not clear. I got a "pre-safe unavailable" message. I did some research and learned this is a "transmission control module" failure. It is very unsafe in that the car cannot keep up with traffic and is a danger to myself and others. *tr
2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class powertrain problems
severe 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 5 powertrain complaints filed for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Mercedes-Benz S-Class in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Dt: the caller said vehicle seemed to shift into a lower gear when driving between 30 and 40 MPH. When this happened vehicle bucked forward. The caller pulled over as soon as she could because she did not know what was causing this problem. It happened 5 times, two time in june, once in july and twice in august. The dealer said not to worry about it. Manufacturer has not been contacted…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 73,250 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mercedes-Benz/S-Class.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.