MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 · model year

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350

235 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006MERCEDES-BENZML350 carries 235 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 21 crashes, 25 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 ML350 is engine with 36 filings, followed by power train (33) and electrical system (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2006 ML350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

235
Complaints
21
Crashes
25
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

235 filings

Crashes Reported

21 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE36
POWER TRAIN33
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
SEATS14
STEERING13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11
SERVICE BRAKES11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
AIR BAGS9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4

Recent Complaints

20250514AIR BAGS

After starting the car, two messages appeared on the dash board. Center Gauge read: SRS Restraint System Malfunction Service Required Fuel Gauge read: SRS (in red) Took the car to our certified mechanic. After his diagnostic check- He said it was the Air Bag Module is out. Needs to be replaced at Mercedes Dealership.

20250514ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

After starting the car, two messages appeared on the dash board. Center Gauge read: SRS Restraint System Malfunction Service Required Fuel Gauge read: SRS (in red) Took the car to our certified mechanic. After his diagnostic check- He said it was the Air Bag Module is out. Needs to be replaced at Mercedes Dealership.

20250207SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V298000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle a week later, the brake warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated, and the message "Take to Service Center" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made an abnormal rubbing and squeaking sound, and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the failure to be corrected under the recall, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,450.

Mileage: 163,450

20250207ENGINE

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V298000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle a week later, the brake warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated, and the message "Take to Service Center" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made an abnormal rubbing and squeaking sound, and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the failure to be corrected under the recall, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,450.

Mileage: 163,450

20240109POWER TRAIN

My car was included in the balance right shaft recall as 2nd owner I was just made aware as a result my check engine light came on. It was also learned that the car was included in faulty “balance shaft”. I should be included because my car has same diagnosis as defective equipment

20231031STEERING

The fuel system faild had it replaced twice gss leaking as well as the power steering leaking badly went out while driving I had both replaced power steering is out again several months later car been sitting since then i looked up to see if there were any safty recalls I did find both on Kelly blue book and a few other sites I contacted dealership was told I could bring vehicle the the recalls don't expire once the vehicle was there received a phone call they had my vehicle however the said they didn't know what kind it was or why it was there I asked how could u not know that was told they had keys but haven't went out to look I gave all my information before the vehicle was picked up I told them the issue again I was told then that as long as it's a recall problem no charge two days later I received another call same thing not knowing what type of vehicle I explained the situation again this time I was told they see 7 recalls all expired but 1 on the break system and I will have to

20231031FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The fuel system faild had it replaced twice gss leaking as well as the power steering leaking badly went out while driving I had both replaced power steering is out again several months later car been sitting since then i looked up to see if there were any safty recalls I did find both on Kelly blue book and a few other sites I contacted dealership was told I could bring vehicle the the recalls don't expire once the vehicle was there received a phone call they had my vehicle however the said they didn't know what kind it was or why it was there I asked how could u not know that was told they had keys but haven't went out to look I gave all my information before the vehicle was picked up I told them the issue again I was told then that as long as it's a recall problem no charge two days later I received another call same thing not knowing what type of vehicle I explained the situation again this time I was told they see 7 recalls all expired but 1 on the break system and I will have to

20230921POWER TRAIN

i encountered a major issue with the Mercedes ML350, while doing a 3 point turn in a busy suburban Toronto street.The electronic shift module left me stuck in Road way. Causing traffic back up and could not move vehicle.neither forward or reverse.tried pushing and different tactics to move vehicle off road. Had to call CAA-AAA. It was a caos situation,first tow truck could not load vehicle,all wheels were locked in drive and would not shift. Had to wait for special tow Have all four wheels lifted off onto dolly. Tow truck driver said it is a common problem.with MB,BMW and Audi.Vehicles towed to dealer sat at dealer. parts on back order and Not available for repair.Since was in Toronto away from Home. Had to source original equipment supplier to purchase part.Dealer and factory Mercedes could Not source part.back ordered.The dealer agreed to install the factory OEM part they could not source. My concern to all owners including myself in line traffic a basic traffic maneuver stuck in

20230921ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

i encountered a major issue with the Mercedes ML350, while doing a 3 point turn in a busy suburban Toronto street.The electronic shift module left me stuck in Road way. Causing traffic back up and could not move vehicle.neither forward or reverse.tried pushing and different tactics to move vehicle off road. Had to call CAA-AAA. It was a caos situation,first tow truck could not load vehicle,all wheels were locked in drive and would not shift. Had to wait for special tow Have all four wheels lifted off onto dolly. Tow truck driver said it is a common problem.with MB,BMW and Audi.Vehicles towed to dealer sat at dealer. parts on back order and Not available for repair.Since was in Toronto away from Home. Had to source original equipment supplier to purchase part.Dealer and factory Mercedes could Not source part.back ordered.The dealer agreed to install the factory OEM part they could not source. My concern to all owners including myself in line traffic a basic traffic maneuver stuck in

20230718EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Driver Side Low beam headlight turns off and on randomly whether the vehicle is off or on. I lose view of the road because lights turn off randomly and others cannot see me at night as well. I've tried taking my vehicle to the shop, but no one can trace down this problem. No warning was shown until recently.

20230718ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Driver Side Low beam headlight turns off and on randomly whether the vehicle is off or on. I lose view of the road because lights turn off randomly and others cannot see me at night as well. I've tried taking my vehicle to the shop, but no one can trace down this problem. No warning was shown until recently.

20230708ENGINE

THEY HAVE TIMING CHAIN ISSUES . THE BALANCE SHAFTS ABD TIMING CHSIN SPROCKETS FAIL AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE . THIS IS MY 3RD ML350 TO HAVE THE ENGINE GO OUT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER COULDBE PREVENTED IF IT WAS RECALLED YEARS AGO IF YOU DONT BELIEVE THEN RESEARCH IT THANK YOU

20230531SERVICE BRAKES

Brakes feel spongy,, when letting off accelerate feels as if transmission has a brake applied

20230531POWER TRAIN

Brakes feel spongy,, when letting off accelerate feels as if transmission has a brake applied

20220914SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the recall repair was not performed by the dealer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently experienced phantom braking with the ABS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed and made an abnormal sound; however, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS sensor was faulty. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS sensor needed to be reset. The dealer reset the ABS sensor and informed the contact that the brake system housing was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,831.

Mileage: 151,831

20220914FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the recall repair was not performed by the dealer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently experienced phantom braking with the ABS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed and made an abnormal sound; however, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS sensor was faulty. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS sensor needed to be reset. The dealer reset the ABS sensor and informed the contact that the brake system housing was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,831.

Mileage: 151,831

20220722SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact was given an appointment by the dealer weeks in advance and was notified in the recall notice to stop driving the vehicle immediately. The manufacturer assured the contact on multiple occasions that the dealer would provide an alternative form of transportation until the recall was serviced; however, the dealer failed to provide the contact another form of transportation. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20220715ENGINE

Balance shaft failure

20220706CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

Brake delay. Caused an at-fault traffic accident on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

20220706CrashSERVICE BRAKES

Brake delay. Caused an at-fault traffic accident on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

Compare 2006MERCEDES-BENZML350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 have?
The 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 has 235 NHTSA complaints, 21 crashes, 25 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350?
The most-complained component for the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 is ENGINE with 36 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.