repaired · 2026 Q1
Power assist: vacuum
Do not driveRisk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 172 owner complaints about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-298 the manufacturer reports only 3% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 31, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 has problems
172 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
43Power train2 crash/fire/injury
36Engine1 crash/fire/injury
29Electrical system11 crash/fire/injury
17Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
16Steering2 crash/fire/injury
14Seats10 crash/fire/injury
12Service brakes
9Air bags
9Exterior lighting
4417 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 43 | 2 |
| Engine | 36 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 11 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 1 |
| Steering | 16 | 2 |
| Seats | 14 | 10 |
| Service brakes | 12 | 4 |
| Air bags | 9 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 3 |
| 17 other systems | 44 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Power assist: vacuum
Do not driveRisk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
63kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 38 power train complaints. 92% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles35under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
10 owners mentioned a cost$4,334median
Middle half: $3,125 – $6,000
Engine
10 owners mentioned a cost$6,223median
Middle half: $5,325 – $6,875
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other ML350 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ML350 median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What ML350 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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
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…
PULLING OUT INTO LANE OF TRAFFIC ACCELERATING WHERE CAR ABRUPTLY STARTS TO RUN VERY VERY ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND CAN BECOME UNSAFE WITH NO POWER AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING. SIMILARLY WHILE DRIVING OVER 60MPH SAME SCENARIO CAUSING CEL TO COME ON AND CAR TO DISENGAGE CRUISE AND…
Own a 2006 ML350?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.