more common than you think.
Usually, this happens when you're in a hurry and jump in the car, turn the ignition on and shift BEFORE shutting the door, right?
Well, according to my friend and long-time MB tech, you gotta let the CPU catch up.
When it happened to my CL600, he said to get out of the car and lock with the remote, then go through the motions again, in a normal, non-hurried way.
IOW, unlock the car, get in, close the door, fasten seatbelt, put keyfob in the ignition, step on the brake, ignition on, start, then go to D or R.
Viola, haven't had the problem since.

 

I have a 600 1995 mb and when my shifter sticks i just move the steering wheel a little and its words