Mercedes-Benz R500 Repair and Maintenance - Get an online auto repair estimate for your Mercedes-Benz R500

2007 Mercedes-Benz R500, ricksr, Ocala, FL, February 12, 2010 13:15
The check engine lite has been on more than off. Mercedes just can't seem to fixx it. gas mileage leave a little to be desired.....

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Mercedes-Benz R500 Problems

Brakes	Soft braking compounds that contribute to good braking performance are known to wear after approximately 20,000 miles; owners should be vigilant about getting their brakes checked. Brake fluid should be flushed every two years to prevent premature anti-lock brake system (ABS) failure.
Engine	Oil leaks from the PCV vent housings on the valve covers and inspection plates on the front of the engine are common. The rubber bond in the harmonic balancer can decay, which causes the balancer to move and work its way into the timing chain cover. If the balancer comes into contact with the timing cover while the engine is running, it will fracture and damage the timing case and potentially other surrounding parts. The harmonic balancer should be inspected at every service. Oil leaks from the oil level sensor are common. The crankshaft position sensors tend to fail. Symptoms of this are: The engine will crank—but not start—especially when the engine is warm. The car may start again if it is left to cool off, but it may run roughly or have poor performance. Communicating these specific symptoms to your technician can save diagnostic time.
Exhaust & Emissions	Bad spark plug wires and ignition coils can cause intermittent misfires (rough running); the Check Engine Light may illuminate. The mass air flow (MAF) sensor tends to fail. The engine air filter should be replaced when the mass air flow sensor is replaced; a dirty filter can allow debris to damage the new sensor.
Suspension & Steering	A problem with the ball joints can cause a creaking noise. There is an updated part to remedy this problem.
Drive Train	A vibration felt through the center floor of the vehicle can be caused by driveshaft flex discs, which crack and shred, causing excessive driveshaft movement. Not repairing these can cause damage to the driveshaft center support bearing, or, in the worst case scenario, damage to the transmission or differential. The 7-speed automatic transmissions can have problems with internal component failure that cause rough shifting going up from first to second gear and going down from third to second or second to first gear. Mercedes released updated parts; the transmission will need to be removed and disassembled.

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Mercedes-Benz R500 Recalls and TSBs

Mercedes-Benz R500 Recalls (Recent)

Body, Interior & Misc.: SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Campaign Number: 06V101000

Dates Manufactured: 01/2006 to 03/2006

Number of Vehicles Affected: 2,500

Model Years Affected: 2006

Date Owner Notified: 05/2006

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS, THE THREADS IN THE NUT USED TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IN A LIMITED NUMBER OF SECOND ROW SEATS MAY BE MISSING. THE ABSENCE OF THE SCREW THREADS RESULTS IN AN INCOMPLETE CONNECTION OF THE BUCKLE TO THE SEAT.

Consequence Summary: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE NUT IS MISSING AND REPLACE THE SEAT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2006040003.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Drive Train: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Campaign Number: 06V495000

Dates Manufactured: 11/2006 to 12/2006

Number of Vehicles Affected: 1,570

Model Years Affected: 2007

Date Owner Notified: 01/2007

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY FASTENED TO ITS MOUNTING STUDS.

Consequence Summary: OVER TIME, THE PEDAL MAY NOT MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT PEDAL POSITION, WHICH COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE ACCELERATOR.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE MOUNTING NUTS OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2006120008.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Electrical & Lights: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign Number: 08V303000

Dates Manufactured: 11/2002 to 05/2008

Number of Vehicles Affected: 404

Model Years Affected: 2006, 2007

Defect Summary: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.

Consequence Summary: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2008 070001.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Electrical & Lights: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

Campaign Number: 06V098000

Dates Manufactured: 08/2005 to 02/2006

Number of Vehicles Affected: 7,000

Model Years Affected: 2006

Date Owner Notified: 05/2006

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STARTER WIRING HARNESS MAY BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY. THIS ROUTING COULD LEAD TO CHAFING OF THE PROTECTIVE SLEEVE COVERING THE STARTER WIRING HARNESS AT THE ENGINE MOUNT COVER.

Consequence Summary: OVER TIME, SUCH CHAFING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO WEAR THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AND MAY EXPOSE THE UNDERLYING STARTER WIRING HARNESS TO FURTHER CHAFING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, AND THE LOSS OF FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND WHERE NECESSARY, CORRECT, THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. IN THE CASE OF WEAR, THE PROTECTIVE SLEEVE, AND IF NECESSARY, THE STARTER WIRING HARNESS, WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2006040002.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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Mercedes-Benz R500 Technical Service Bulletins (Recent)

None reported.

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