NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
172 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 8, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling
LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON RE CONSTITUENT RE 2006 ML MERCEDES BENZ SUV ML 350 RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ, DUE TO AN INFERIOR BALANCE SHAFT IN THE ENGINE. A NUMBER OF VEHICLES INCLUDING HIS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE ENDS ON JUNE 16, 2016.…
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LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON RE CONSTITUENT RE 2006 ML MERCEDES BENZ SUV ML 350 RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ, DUE TO AN INFERIOR BALANCE SHAFT IN THE ENGINE. A NUMBER OF VEHICLES INCLUDING HIS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE ENDS ON JUNE 16, 2016. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE, BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE EXCEEDED 125,000 MILES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10873071
65,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED,SOME DECREASE IN POWER. TOOK TO MB DEALER,PULLED THE CODE FOR CAM SHAFT SENSOR,POSSIBLY CAM SHAFT BALANCER.WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT COST & POTENTIAL FUTURE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #10873077
82,000 miles · Mar 27, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE WIRE HOUSING. THE CAR WAS PARKED (STATIONARY)
NHTSA ODI #10851829
65,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10846479
130,000 miles · Feb 11, 2016
Fuel System, Diesel
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10825617
100,763 miles · Oct 8, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,763.
NHTSA ODI #10780852
140,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED DECREASED AND FAILED TO INCREASE OVER 30 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED DECREASED AND FAILED TO INCREASE OVER 30 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10747420
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2015
Power Train
MY 2006 ML350 (AUTOMATIC) HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE SHIFTING DOWN CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. ALL GEAR SHIFTS (UP OR DOWN) ARE HARD AND CAN BE FELT BY THE OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR IN THE FORM OF A JERKY MOTION. SCOURING THE INTERNET FOR THIS ISSUE SHOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…
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MY 2006 ML350 (AUTOMATIC) HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE SHIFTING DOWN CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. ALL GEAR SHIFTS (UP OR DOWN) ARE HARD AND CAN BE FELT BY THE OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR IN THE FORM OF A JERKY MOTION. SCOURING THE INTERNET FOR THIS ISSUE SHOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $7500. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT KNOW UNTIL THEY TAKE THE TRANSMISSION APART AND WOULD END UP COSTING ROUGHLY THE SAME AS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE DOWN SHIFTING PRESENTS A DANGER WHEN MAKING SUDDEN STOPS DUE TO UNFORESEEN TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS BRAKING HARD CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DOWN SHIFT QUICKLY WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD.
NHTSA ODI #10745959
76,000 miles · Jun 29, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
I HAD A 2006 ML350. IT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AS IT WAS PARKED FOR TWO HOURS AFTER I HAD DRIVEN IT. THE FIREMEN STATE IN THE REPORT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND STARTED FROM A SHORT IN THE REAR TAILLIGHT HARNESS.I BROUGHT THIS TO MERCEDES BENZ USA'S ATTENTION AND THEY WERE CARELESS ABOUT THE SAFETY DANGERS THAT THIS CAUSED/…
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I HAD A 2006 ML350. IT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AS IT WAS PARKED FOR TWO HOURS AFTER I HAD DRIVEN IT. THE FIREMEN STATE IN THE REPORT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND STARTED FROM A SHORT IN THE REAR TAILLIGHT HARNESS.I BROUGHT THIS TO MERCEDES BENZ USA'S ATTENTION AND THEY WERE CARELESS ABOUT THE SAFETY DANGERS THAT THIS CAUSED/POSED. THEY SAID IT WASNT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AFTER THE 2 MONTH LONG INVESTIGATION WAS STAMPED INCONCLUSIVE.THEY WERE OF MORE CONCERN ABOUT THIS BEING LEAKED OR EXPOSED AND TRIED TO SWEEP MY CASE UNDER THE RUG. THEY ONLY GAVE ME ONE CASE MANAGER AND LIMITED ME ONLY TO SPEAK WITH HER AFTER BEGGING TO SPEAK WITH ANOTHER MANAGER. AFTER BEING TRAPPED IN THIS CORPORATE COVER UP I HAD NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN. SUSAN M( MY WEST COAST REGIONAL CASE MANAGER) HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLE CASES DID THEY SWEEP UNDER THE RUG LIKE MINE? I DO NOT EXPECT THIS KIND OF COVER-UP FROM MERCEDES AND WOULD EXPECT THEM TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES. HTTP://WWW.MERCEDESDEFECTS.COM/2008/04/WIRE-HARNESS-DEFECT.HTML PLEASE GET THIS TO THE NEXT STEP BEFORE PEOPLE LOOSE THEIR LIFE! I COULD HAVE DIED THIS NIGHT! THIS IS THEIR FACTORY RECALL MERCEDES BENZ USA SAID THEY DIDNT HAVE FOR MY VEHICLE AFTER THE FIRE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM WATER DAMAGED LIFT GATE CONTROL MODULE FOR MODELS: MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 BLUETEC, MERCEDES-BENZ ML350, MERCEDES-BENZ ML550, MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 AMG ELECTRICAL & LIGHTS, MAY 1, 2009 REPAIRPAL EXPERT OVERVIEW: DUE TO A FAULTY SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR COMPARTMENT CONTAINING THE SPARE TIRE. THE WATER COULD DAMAGE THE LIFT GATE CONTROL MODULE, CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE FAILED MODULE COULD OVERHEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE TAIL LIGHT SEALS AND RELOCATE THE LIFT GATE CONTROL MODULE. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OF 2009. THE MERCEDES RECALL NUMBER IS 2009030003.
NHTSA ODI #10730967
121,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10724413
Official recalls
2Apr 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.
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 ↗