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2006 Mercedes Benz ML350

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most ML350 years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 51.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

137 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports19 fire reports10 injury reports

Steering complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

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 …

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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 pay $198 plus tax $233 for diagnostic ran and that price doesn't count towards repairs I waited a few hours called in act like someone else and was told recalls don't expire when I explained what was going on and who I was they told me my recalls closed and can't reopen and the was told they didn't see anything about power steering recalls however it was before I had my car towed if this was a safety recall hiw can I tell what information is correct with old recalls and how do I get them to fix this I do have a older model that I purchased 3 years ago from what I can see on there website when putting in Vin only show current recalls and shows my vehicle not having any recalls work ever done this information was on mercedes of louisville website I feel like I'm getting the run around please help with this safety recall I have small kids and won't to be safety

NHTSA ODI #11552779

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2017 I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE DAY ONE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR WITH ALL THE WRONG THINGS WITH IT IT JOLTS OUT OF CONTROL IT'S SWERVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN THE POWER STEERING IS JUST A TOTAL MESS. WHEN I'M AT A STOP SIGN IT SUDDENLY STARTS SHA…

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EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2017 I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE DAY ONE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR WITH ALL THE WRONG THINGS WITH IT IT JOLTS OUT OF CONTROL IT'S SWERVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN THE POWER STEERING IS JUST A TOTAL MESS. WHEN I'M AT A STOP SIGN IT SUDDENLY STARTS SHAKING OUT OF NOWHERE AND THEN WITH THE CAR BEING IN PARK IS JOLTS BACK AND FORTH. I WENT TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT YESTERDAY I PARK MY CAR LIKE I NORMALLY WOULD NEXT TO YOU NOR I COME OUT THE CAR WON'T START THERE'S FLUID LEAKING AND I BELIEVE IT'S THE POWER STEERING. THIS CAR FEELS TOTALLY UNSAFE WHAT UP WRONG PURCHASE I MADE AND I'M NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO I CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR PLEASE HELP I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO

NHTSA ODI #11342682

5 miles · Jun 30, 2020
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

POWER STEERING FAILS, WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR PARALLELS PARKING. THIS HAS HAPPEN FOR YEARS AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT CAN LOCK UP . IT WAS AT ONE TIME A RECALL .AND MERCEDES MENTION TO ME THAT THE RECALL HAS ENDED. I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIGHT THIS . BUT I HAVE TAKING THE CAR TO MERCEDES TO DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY WANTED…

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POWER STEERING FAILS, WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR PARALLELS PARKING. THIS HAS HAPPEN FOR YEARS AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT CAN LOCK UP . IT WAS AT ONE TIME A RECALL .AND MERCEDES MENTION TO ME THAT THE RECALL HAS ENDED. I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIGHT THIS . BUT I HAVE TAKING THE CAR TO MERCEDES TO DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 100.00 . WHEN I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11331689

102,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Air BagsSteeringCrash

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 CAME OUT OF THE CAR DAZED AND WI…

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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 CAME OUT OF THE CAR DAZED AND WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327806

113,000 miles · May 26, 2020
Steering

A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. *BF WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 23, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372…

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A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. *BF WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 23, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372. SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A HOSE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION. *TR CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND WOULD NO LONGER HONOR IT.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11325960

43,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN OCTOBER OF 2018 BY M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN OCTOBER OF 2018 BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHERRY HILL (2151 NJ-70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE; HOWEVER, AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THEM IN OCTOBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #11257294

190,000 miles · Oct 25, 2016
EnginePower TrainSteering

MY 2006 MERC ML350, BROKE DOWN ON ME 10/22/16, AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE I WAS HEARING A CRACKLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT. THIS VEHICLE IS ALWAYS NEEDING SOMETHING, AND AT THIS TIME IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK IT BECAUSE THE SERPE…

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MY 2006 MERC ML350, BROKE DOWN ON ME 10/22/16, AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE I WAS HEARING A CRACKLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT. THIS VEHICLE IS ALWAYS NEEDING SOMETHING, AND AT THIS TIME IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK IT BECAUSE THE SERPENTINE (VBELT) HAD UNRAVELED ITS WAY FROM THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY!! THE LORD HAD SAVED MY LIFE! SAME YEAR IN MARCH FREMONT DEALERSHIP SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY AIR CONDENSOR BUT NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT MY BELT BEING WORN OR CRACKED OR ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED AT THAT PRESENT TIME. THEY MISINFORMED ME AT THAT TIME ABOUT THE VBELT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AND TRIED TO SELL ME A AIR MASS SENSOR. MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT VEHICLE 2006 YEAR AND ALL THE PARTS THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND WONT LIFT A FINGER TO RECALL OR REIMBURSE OR PAY ENTIRELY. I WOULD HAVE DIED ON THE FREEWAY HAD THIS V BELT WOULD HAVE CAME OFF! TOOKBITVIN FOR REPAIRS AND THE DEALER IS REQUESTING $2350 TO REPLACE AIR CONDITION UNIT AND THEY WILL HAVE TO OPEN UP ALTERNATOR & ADJUST + VBELT. CAMPAIGN ANYONE OR BOTCOTT MBUSA!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10918854

96,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING IN THE CENTER LANE ON A MAJOR PARKWAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, OUR 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; STEERING WAS COMPROMISED, AS WAS BRAKING. BRAKING AND STEERING WERE VERY DIFFICULT, BUT POSSIBLE ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE GUIDED TO THE SHOULDER. ALL …

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WHILE TRAVELING IN THE CENTER LANE ON A MAJOR PARKWAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, OUR 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; STEERING WAS COMPROMISED, AS WAS BRAKING. BRAKING AND STEERING WERE VERY DIFFICULT, BUT POSSIBLE ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE GUIDED TO THE SHOULDER. ALL FOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WERE PRESENT INCLUDING OUR TWO YOUNG SONS. AFTER BEING TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER REPAIR SHOP, 4 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT...THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED AS ?ENGINE JUMPED TIME? AND THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO ?REMOVE ENGINE AND TEAR DOWN TO FIND CAUSE OF FAILURE?MOST LIKELY NEEDS ENGINE ASSEMBLY?. AS THAT THE QUOTED PRICE OF THE DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR EXCEEDS THE CURRENT VALUE OF THE CAR BY SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS, THE CAR WAS RETURNED WITHOUT FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. AT NO TIME IN THE PAST 4 YEARS HAS THERE BEEN A ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHT NOR WERE THERE ANY INDICATORS OF ANY SERIOUS MECHANICAL ISSUES AS PER THE CAR?S ONBOARD COMPUTER REPORTING SYSTEM OR IN GENERAL DAILY OPERATIONS. AGAIN, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, THAT THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN JANUARY OF 2010, THE SAME AUTHORIZED DEALER REPAIR DEPARTMENT MENTIONED ABOVE CONDUCTED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: ?REMOVED ENGINE, REPLACED BALANCE SHAFT, REPLACED OIL PUMP, REPLACED CAM SOLENOIDS, REPLACED GASKETS?? IN RESPONSE TO A PERSISTENT ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHT. OUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE 2010 ?CHECK ENGINE LIGHT? OCCURRED AT 55,395 MILES. THIS RECENT FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, MINUS THE ?CHECK ENGINE LIGHT? OR ANY OTHER INDICATORS, AT 99,424 MILES. OUR RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS MAY BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621381

119,000 miles · Aug 9, 2014
Steering

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WAITING MAKE A LEFT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN TO MAKE A LEFT, I STARTED GOING AND GOT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHEN MY STEERING GOT STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO COMPLETE A WIDE LEFT TURN. I WAS SAFELY ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, BUT WITHOUT A REAL EFFORT TO TURN…

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I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WAITING MAKE A LEFT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN TO MAKE A LEFT, I STARTED GOING AND GOT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHEN MY STEERING GOT STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO COMPLETE A WIDE LEFT TURN. I WAS SAFELY ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, BUT WITHOUT A REAL EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND AGAIN HAVING TO MAKE ANOTHER WIDE LEFT TURN BEFORE AN ONCOMING CAR ALMOST HIT ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621100

65,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Steering

IN A PARKING LOT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. JS

NHTSA ODI #10575843

Official recalls

2

24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.