AI Damage2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 filed 172 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 172
- involving a crash
- 10
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 43 complaints (25% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 36 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 29 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 20 complaints (12% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 17 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 172 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 43 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 36 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 20 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While trying to slow in to a corner, the brakes did not work, pushing harder on the brakes caused pulling and vibration. The vehicle left the road causing damage to right fender, bumper, wheel, tire and door. The vehicle has been inspected, brake pads and brakes seemed fine.
Then the car lurched and accelerated by its self. I pushed the brake harder and tried to pump it but nothing slowed the vehicle. The brakes felt as if they were not working at all. Vehicle crashed at about 55mph and rolled severely injuring the driver.
While shifting into reverse gear the vehicle surged backwards, resulting in a crash. Upon shifting the vehicle into drive, it then surged forward, resulting in another crash. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a serious injury and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
The air bag light beeped and remained illuminated. At 10,000 miles, the vehicle was serviced. Afterwards, the contact heard a noise in the rear of the vehicle while driving between 20-50 mph. The dealer test drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure.
While traveling on 80 east in new jersey on a rainy day the esp light malfunction showed on the dashboard screen. At that point the vehicle spun to the right and could not be controlled. The failure of the esp caused the crash.
The vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and hit a cement block and continued to lurch forward several times before she could stop the vehicle. The power steering and brakes were inoperable. The warning light indicator appeared on the vehicle after hitting the cement block. She did not recall which indicator light.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,337 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ML350 has 68 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 172, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 172. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (29%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), stalls while driving (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.