2006 Mercedes Benz ML350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
172 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 136 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 172 complaints (20.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 16.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 24 | 14.0% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 11.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 9.9% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 7.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 36 |
| Power Train | 33 |
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Seats | 14 |
| Steering | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 11 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
Engine: 36; Power Train: 33; Electrical System: 28; Seats: 14; Steering: 13; Service Brakes: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling: 11; Air Bags: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 40 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 40; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 13; 2011: 27; 2012: 11; 2013: 8; 2014: 13; 2015: 12; 2016: 13; 2017: 11; 2018: 6; 2019: 4; 2020: 9; 2021: 2; 2022: 11; 2023: 5; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10145113 · 2005-12-13 (December 13, 2005)
DT: 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS HARD AND ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT. HE DID NOT BELIEVE THE DEFECT WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE JOLTED AT SPEEDS UNDER 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT EACH TIME. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149348 · 2006-02-03 (February 3, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ONE CUP OF WATER IN A BAG IN THE CARGO AREA. THE WATER SPILLED ONTO THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SYSTEM AND THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150814 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)
2006 ML 350 PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER PUDDLES. *TS THE CONSUMER FEELS THE CONTINENTAL TIRES MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TIRE HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER HL. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE IN WET CONDITIONS WITH THE NEW TIRE YET. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151563 · 2006-03-01 (March 1, 2006)
WHEN I DROVE MY VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED AND CAME TO STOP, THE VEHICLE JOLTED BY MOVING FORWARD. I BELIEVED THIS WAS CAUSED BY JERKY TRANSMISSION, AND THERE WAS A BUG IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLLED THE TRANSMISSION. I TALKED TO A SERVICE GUY AT MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO FIX AT THIS TIME, AWAITING AN ANSWER FROM MERCEDES BENZ. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156513 · 2006-05-01 (May 1, 2006)
STEERING WHEEL HAS NOTICEABLE CLICKS AND FEEDBACKS WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT IN A MOTION OR STAND STILL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10156513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158192 · 2006-05-24 (May 24, 2006)
BRAKE SYSTEM ON 2006 ML350 HAS EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL CAUSING UNSAFE BRAKING AND JERKY STOPPING. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER STATE THAT THIS CONDITION IS "NORMAL" FOR THE ML SERIES MERCEDES TRUCK. THIS TRAVEL CAUSES DELAYED BRAKING AND DOES NOT EXIST ON ANOTHER MERCEDES AUTOMOBILES. MANUFACTURER TO FURTHER EVALUATE THE CONDITION OR ADMIT ANY POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164702 · 2006-08-07 (August 7, 2006)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HEAVY JOLT AND SKIPPAGE AT STARTUP FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND HEAVY JOLT WHILE STOPPING. MERCEDES STATES IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM HOWEVER THERE IS NO SOFTWARE AVAILABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 12,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170806 · 2006-10-14 (October 14, 2006)
LEASED VEHICLE FROM MERCEDES BENZ OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, ON FRIDAY 10/13/06 SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED IN RED, AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. CONTACTED DEALERS SERVICE ON 10/13/06, FRIDAY, SAME STATED, UPON MY INQUIRY, VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, AND TO BRING IT IN ON TUESDAY 10/17/06, FOR ITS' SCHEDULED FIRST APPOINTMENT AT 8:00 A.M.. UPON REVIEWING THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR THE ML350, SAME DISCLOSED ON PAGE 407, "IN THE EVENT A MALFUNCTION OF THE SRS IS INDICATED AS OUTLINED ABOVE, THE SRS MAY NOT BE OPERATIONAL. FOR YOUR …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170806 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2022-05-09 (May 9, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
NHTSA campaign record ↗