VehicleVerdict

2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 235 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Ml350 year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 14 Ml350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (53), transmission (44), and electrical system (33), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

235

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

25

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Ml350 years?

Ml350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted235 complaints2001: 2 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 44 complaints2005: 28 complaints2006: 235 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 93 complaints2009: 105 complaints2010: 113 complaints2011: 126 complaints2012: 92 complaints2013: 82 complaints2014: 107 complaints2015: 78 complaints
Ml350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ml350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5323%
Transmission4419%
Electrical System3314%
Brakes219%
Steering167%
Seats146%
Airbags104%
Lighting94%
Speed Control73%
Other52%
Fuel System52%
Suspension42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Latches & Locks31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Driver Assistance10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Body & Structure10%

Does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V298000BrakesApril 26, 2024 · 15,604 units

Defect

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.

22V315000BrakesMay 9, 2022 · 350,294 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVING 45MPH APPROACHING A STOP, I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW. 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 23, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND EXITED THE VEHICLE FOR THIRTY SECONDS. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LUNGED FORWARD, DRAGGING THE DRIVER AS SHE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 8, 2012 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER TURNED ON. I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND FELT A BURNING PAIN ON MY BACK. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE I SAW THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER DRIVER'S SEAT AND THROUGH MY JACKET. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 28, 2015 · fire

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT REAR ENDING ANOTHER CAR (STRAIGHT ON- NOSE TO TAIL OF OTHER CAR) AT FREEWAY SPEED (55-60) AND THE BREAKS SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE SPONGY/SOFT (MY BEST DESCRIPTION) AND AT THAT SPEED AND DIRECT HIT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF, IT WAS A PRETTY SOLID IMPACT SO MUCH MY FRONT END…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 2, 2019 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR TO WORK ON THE CITY STREET (SANTA ANITA AVE GOING NORTH IN THE CITY OF ARCADIA CA), WITHIN FEW MINUTES AFTER I LEFT THE HOUSE I FELT MY HANDS GET HOT PROBABLY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR RAN OVER THE CENTER DIVIDER AND FLIPPED OVER. FORTUNATELY, I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 4, 2020 · crash

2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 — common questions

Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 235 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 14 Ml350 years. It is one of the Ml350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Ml350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (53 complaints), transmission (44 complaints), electrical system (33 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Ml350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Ml350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ml350 years to avoid are 2006, 2011, 2010, 2009. The cleanest record among Ml350 years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.