Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Mercedes Benz M-CLASS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

4,481 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data updated: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting535.7%
Engine operation321.4%
Steering behavior321.4%
Braking behavior17.1%
Electrical and battery issues17.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Electrical System
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Steering
2
Power Train
1
Seats
1
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train:Automatic Transmission3
Electrical System2
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine2
Steering2
Power Train1
Seats1
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System1

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Steering: 2; Power Train: 1; Seats: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005
8
2009
1
2011
2
2012
1
2014
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20058
20091
20112
20121
20142

2005: 8; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 2

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10140198 · 2005-10-19 (October 19, 2005)

THE VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS FAILURES ARE DETAILED BELOW: DOT SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER STEERING CLAMP REPAIRED BY MBM IN JULY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM OCCURRED ~ 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER WITH 4 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, BARELY AVOIDED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. VEHICLE TOWED TO MBM FOR REPAIRS. I INDICATED TO THE SERVICE REP THAT I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING ABRUPT SHIFTING. A PROMISE BY NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CLEAN UP OF GARAGE AND DRIVE FROM PS FLUID DID NOT OCCUR. POWER WASHING AND 4 HOURS AND $50 IN CLEANERS WERE NEED…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140198 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10142963 · 2005-11-17 (November 17, 2005)

2006 MERCEDES ML 350 - WATER GOT SPILLED ON FLOOR IN PASSENGER REAR SEAT AREA; UNKNOWN TO US, THERE IS ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY - REFERRED TO AS THE FRT SAM IN THE INVOICE. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHUT DOWN, AND AT ONE POINT THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE BEING DRIVEN. ALSO CAUSED A SHORT IN A POWER WINDOW THAT CREATED A LOT OF SMOKE. THERE IS A CUP HOLDER IN THE BACK SEAT, AND THAT IS WHERE KIDS SIT, BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THAT A LIQUID SPILL IN THE REAR SEAT COULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THUS THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN (EVEN THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 4,481 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142963 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10130895 · 2005-08-01 (August 1, 2005)

SUV ENGINE STALLED 7/3/2005 GOING 65 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV RESTARTED AFTER STALL. SUV ENGINE STALLED AGAIN 7/22/2005 GOING 45 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV DID NOT RESTART AFTER STALL. TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE AND SAID CAUSE WAS WATER THAT SPILLED DURING THE INCIDENT HOWEVER WATER SPILLED BECAUSE OF INCIDENT NOT BEFORE. SUV HAD STALLED 3 WEEKS PRIOR AND NO WATER WAS INVOLVED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL AND I WILL GET HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE HELP I…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130895 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10295444 · 2009-12-12 (December 12, 2009)

THE STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED BY A LEAK. I PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN COMPLAINING THERE WAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN, I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS DENIED REPAIR OR THAT THERE WAS ANY RECALL THAT EXISTED. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V224000. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10295444 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10133057 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES ML350. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR RACED WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHEN HER FOOT WAS FIRST TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE. ON AUGUST 9, 2005 THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. SHE STATED SHE COULD HEAR THE MOTOR SURGING. SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE PUSHED A PING PONG TABLE THROUGH THE WALL AND THEN STOPPED. THIS CAUSED $5000 DAMAGE TO TH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133057 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

14 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

78.6%Usable mileage11 / 14 records
100.0%Valid incident date14 / 14 records
100.0%Valid filing date14 / 14 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates14 / 14 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component200620072009
Electrical System
214.3%
ODI 10142963 · 4,481 mi

2006 MERCEDES ML 350 - WATER GOT SPILLED ON FLOOR IN PASSENGER REAR SEAT AREA; UNKNOWN TO US, THERE IS ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY - REFERRED TO AS THE FRT SAM IN THE INVOICE. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHUT DOWN, AND AT ONE POINT THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE BEING DRIVEN. ALSO CAUSED A SHORT IN A POWER WINDOW THAT CREATED A LOT OF SMOKE. THERE IS A CUP HOLDER IN THE BACK SEAT, AND THAT IS WHERE KIDS SIT, BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THAT A LIQUID SPILL IN THE REAR SEAT COULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THUS THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN (EVEN THE …

Look up ODI 10142963 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10444887 · 97,900 mi

MALFUNCTION IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK REST HEATING SYSTEM CAUSED MELTING OF THE UPHOLSTERY AND OF THE OUTER LAYER OF THE DRIVER'S CAR COAT AT THE MELTED SEAT-BACK UPHOLSTERY. NO OVERT FIRE. ACTION TAKEN: SWITCHED OFF SEAT HEAT. BARE WIRES VISIBLE INSIDE THE SEAT-BACK. *TR

Look up ODI 10444887 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
321.4%
ODI 10138650

DT: 2006 MERCEDES ML350. VEHICLE SURGES WHEN STARTING/ PULLING OUT AND COMING TO A STOP. . THE DEALERSHIP HAS VEHICLE FOR FIVE WEEKS AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING AFTER TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. *AK

Look up ODI 10138650 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
214.3%
ODI 10132005 · 500 mi

REGARDING: ODI ID NUMBER 10130895 I HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND BLAMED IT ON ME FOR DRIVING WITH TWO FEET. I DON'T DRIVE WITH TWO FEET AND I REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE CAR WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND HAD A CODE FOR A FAULTY CRANK SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN BUT IT WAS VERY UNNERVING TO KNOW MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE (ML500 '06) WHILE THESE PROBLEMS COULD HAPPEN. SOMEONE SHOULD RECALL THIS…

Look up ODI 10132005 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
214.3%
ODI 10130895 · 3,090 mi

SUV ENGINE STALLED 7/3/2005 GOING 65 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV RESTARTED AFTER STALL. SUV ENGINE STALLED AGAIN 7/22/2005 GOING 45 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV DID NOT RESTART AFTER STALL. TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE AND SAID CAUSE WAS WATER THAT SPILLED DURING THE INCIDENT HOWEVER WATER SPILLED BECAUSE OF INCIDENT NOT BEFORE. SUV HAD STALLED 3 WEEKS PRIOR AND NO WATER WAS INVOLVED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL AND I WILL GET HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE HELP I…

Look up ODI 10130895 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats
17.1%
ODI 10458972 · 150,136 mi

WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED A BURNING SMELL FILLED THE CABIN. SOME SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE LOWER, LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SWITCH TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN. THERE IS A HOLE, APPROXIMATELY 3/4 IN. IN DIAMETER ON THE SEAT. *TR

Look up ODI 10458972 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10444887 · 97,900 mi

MALFUNCTION IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK REST HEATING SYSTEM CAUSED MELTING OF THE UPHOLSTERY AND OF THE OUTER LAYER OF THE DRIVER'S CAR COAT AT THE MELTED SEAT-BACK UPHOLSTERY. NO OVERT FIRE. ACTION TAKEN: SWITCHED OFF SEAT HEAT. BARE WIRES VISIBLE INSIDE THE SEAT-BACK. *TR

Look up ODI 10444887 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Steering
214.3%
ODI 10295444

THE STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED BY A LEAK. I PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN COMPLAINING THERE WAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN, I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS DENIED REPAIR OR THAT THERE WAS ANY RECALL THAT EXISTED. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V224000. *TR

Look up ODI 10295444 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
17.1%
ODI 10432214 · 74,600 mi

TWO PROBLEMS - FIRST, TRANSMISSION DO NOT SWITCH HIGHER THAN SECOND SPEED. UPON ENGINE RESTART, VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. SECOND, ON ANOTHER OCCASION, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING VERY SLOW AND ROUGH. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AWAY, THE VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THESE ISSUES, AND ALSO MANY OF PEOPLE I KNOW WHO HAVE MERCEDES WITH SAME TRA…

Look up ODI 10432214 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10297463 · 403,766 mi

SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY DRIVER'S SEAT. APPROXIMATELY 2'-3' IN HEIGHT AND APPROXIMATELY 1/2' IN LENGTH. *TR

Look up ODI 10297463 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Power Train:Automatic TransmissionToo few reports for a range31,200 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10140198 · 4,000 mi

THE VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS FAILURES ARE DETAILED BELOW: DOT SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER STEERING CLAMP REPAIRED BY MBM IN JULY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM OCCURRED ~ 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER WITH 4 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, BARELY AVOIDED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. VEHICLE TOWED TO MBM FOR REPAIRS. I INDICATED TO THE SERVICE REP THAT I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING ABRUPT SHIFTING. A PROMISE BY NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CLEAN UP OF GARAGE AND DRIVE FROM PS FLUID DID NOT OCCUR. POWER WASHING AND 4 HOURS AND $50 IN CLEANERS WERE NEED…

Look up ODI 10140198 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10405339 · 58,400 mi

2006 ML350 TRANSMISSION FAILURE: WHILE EXITING FROM INTERSTATE, I NOTICE THAT THE CAR WAS JERKING/KNOCKING WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN. A COUPLE OF MILES ON THE SURFACE STREETS AT 30-40 MPH I NOTICED THAT THE JERKING BECAME WORSE AND FINALLY THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR WITHOUT ANY POWER DELIVERED TO THE ENGINE. THE CAR STOPPED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LATER THAT EVENING I GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN OUT AND NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED WITH AN ~$8000 BILL. THE CAR HAS 58K MILES WITH A…

Look up ODI 10405339 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range2,492 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10142963 · 4,481 mi

2006 MERCEDES ML 350 - WATER GOT SPILLED ON FLOOR IN PASSENGER REAR SEAT AREA; UNKNOWN TO US, THERE IS ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY - REFERRED TO AS THE FRT SAM IN THE INVOICE. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHUT DOWN, AND AT ONE POINT THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE BEING DRIVEN. ALSO CAUSED A SHORT IN A POWER WINDOW THAT CREATED A LOT OF SMOKE. THERE IS A CUP HOLDER IN THE BACK SEAT, AND THAT IS WHERE KIDS SIT, BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THAT A LIQUID SPILL IN THE REAR SEAT COULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THUS THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN (EVEN THE …

Look up ODI 10142963 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10143990 · 502 mi

WHILE DRIVING A BRAND NEW 2006 ML-350, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. IT DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: ESP MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION, SPEEDTRONIC INOPERATIVE. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, WITH NO LUCK. HAD TO WAIT FOR 20 - 25 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR CAN BE RESTARTED. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO ME. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A MB DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OIUT THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT ESP MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE NEW ML-350 TO STOP WHILE DRIVING,…

Look up ODI 10143990 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine CoolingToo few reports for a range500 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10132005 · 500 mi

REGARDING: ODI ID NUMBER 10130895 I HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND BLAMED IT ON ME FOR DRIVING WITH TWO FEET. I DON'T DRIVE WITH TWO FEET AND I REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE CAR WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND HAD A CODE FOR A FAULTY CRANK SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN BUT IT WAS VERY UNNERVING TO KNOW MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE (ML500 '06) WHILE THESE PROBLEMS COULD HAPPEN. SOMEONE SHOULD RECALL THIS…

Look up ODI 10132005 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineToo few reports for a range3,295 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10130895 · 3,090 mi

SUV ENGINE STALLED 7/3/2005 GOING 65 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV RESTARTED AFTER STALL. SUV ENGINE STALLED AGAIN 7/22/2005 GOING 45 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV DID NOT RESTART AFTER STALL. TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE AND SAID CAUSE WAS WATER THAT SPILLED DURING THE INCIDENT HOWEVER WATER SPILLED BECAUSE OF INCIDENT NOT BEFORE. SUV HAD STALLED 3 WEEKS PRIOR AND NO WATER WAS INVOLVED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL AND I WILL GET HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE HELP I…

Look up ODI 10130895 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10144352 · 3,500 mi

AFTER DRIVEN THE NEW 2006 ML350 FOR 3500 MILES, THE LOW ENGINE OIL INDICATOR COME UP. TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE, AND FOUND THE CAR IS LEAKING ENGINE OIL IN MULTIPLE PLACES. IT TOOK 1 WEEK TO FIX THE LEAK BETWEEN TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. THEN THEY NEED TO ORDER PARTS TO FIX SECOND LEAK IN OIL PAN. AFTER THE PART ARRIVED, I TOOK THE CAR TO BE FIXED. AFTER 3 DAYS WITHOUT ANY CALL, I CALLED TO FIND OUT THE STATUS. NOW, THEY SAID ONE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER IS LEAKING ENGINE OIL AND NEED SEVERAL MORE DAYS TO FIX. IT IS UNKNOWN TO ME IF THIS ENGINE …

Look up ODI 10144352 at NHTSA ↗

SteeringToo few reports for a range70,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10561315 · 70,000 mi

I HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND MY MODEL IS NOT EFFECTED WITH THIS RECALL RECALL NUMBER: 05V224000 DATES MANUFACTURED: JAN 0001 TO JAN 0001 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 7191 DATE OWNERS NOTIFIED ON: JAN 0001 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. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FO…

Look up ODI 10561315 at NHTSA ↗

Power TrainToo few reports for a range74,600 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10432214 · 74,600 mi

TWO PROBLEMS - FIRST, TRANSMISSION DO NOT SWITCH HIGHER THAN SECOND SPEED. UPON ENGINE RESTART, VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. SECOND, ON ANOTHER OCCASION, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING VERY SLOW AND ROUGH. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AWAY, THE VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THESE ISSUES, AND ALSO MANY OF PEOPLE I KNOW WHO HAVE MERCEDES WITH SAME TRA…

Look up ODI 10432214 at NHTSA ↗

SeatsToo few reports for a range150,136 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10458972 · 150,136 mi

WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED A BURNING SMELL FILLED THE CABIN. SOME SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE LOWER, LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SWITCH TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN. THERE IS A HOLE, APPROXIMATELY 3/4 IN. IN DIAMETER ON THE SEAT. *TR

Look up ODI 10458972 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2007: 1 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2007001
2009111
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2007200
2009100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentPower Train:Automatic TransmissionElectrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineSteeringPower TrainSeatsSteering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
Power Train:Automatic Transmission—0
1
ODI 10138650

DT: 2006 MERCEDES ML350. VEHICLE SURGES WHEN STARTING/ PULLING OUT AND COMING TO A STOP. . THE DEALERSHIP HAS VEHICLE FOR FIVE WEEKS AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING AFTER TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. *AK

Look up ODI 10138650 at NHTSA ↗

00000
Electrical System0—000000
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
ODI 10138650

DT: 2006 MERCEDES ML350. VEHICLE SURGES WHEN STARTING/ PULLING OUT AND COMING TO A STOP. . THE DEALERSHIP HAS VEHICLE FOR FIVE WEEKS AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING AFTER TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. *AK

Look up ODI 10138650 at NHTSA ↗

0—00000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine000—0000
Steering0000—00
1
ODI 10295444

THE STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED BY A LEAK. I PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN COMPLAINING THERE WAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN, I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS DENIED REPAIR OR THAT THERE WAS ANY RECALL THAT EXISTED. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V224000. *TR

Look up ODI 10295444 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train00000—00
Seats000000—0
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System0000
1
ODI 10295444

THE STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED BY A LEAK. I PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN COMPLAINING THERE WAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN, I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS DENIED REPAIR OR THAT THERE WAS ANY RECALL THAT EXISTED. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V224000. *TR

Look up ODI 10295444 at NHTSA ↗

00—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

5 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

3 mentions · 21.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 31,200 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10133057

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES ML350. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR RACED WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHEN HER FOOT WAS FIRST TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE. ON AUGUST 9, 2005 THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. SHE STATED SHE COULD HEAR THE MOTOR SURGING. SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE PUSHED A PING PONG TABLE THROUGH THE WALL AND THEN STOPPED. THIS CAUSED $5000 DAMAGE TO TH…

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ODI 10140198 · 4,000 mi

THE VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS FAILURES ARE DETAILED BELOW: DOT SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER STEERING CLAMP REPAIRED BY MBM IN JULY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM OCCURRED ~ 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER WITH 4 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, BARELY AVOIDED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. VEHICLE TOWED TO MBM FOR REPAIRS. I INDICATED TO THE SERVICE REP THAT I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING ABRUPT SHIFTING. A PROMISE BY NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CLEAN UP OF GARAGE AND DRIVE FROM PS FLUID DID NOT OCCUR. POWER WASHING AND 4 HOURS AND $50 IN CLEANERS WERE NEED…

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ODI 10405339 · 58,400 mi

2006 ML350 TRANSMISSION FAILURE: WHILE EXITING FROM INTERSTATE, I NOTICE THAT THE CAR WAS JERKING/KNOCKING WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN. A COUPLE OF MILES ON THE SURFACE STREETS AT 30-40 MPH I NOTICED THAT THE JERKING BECAME WORSE AND FINALLY THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR WITHOUT ANY POWER DELIVERED TO THE ENGINE. THE CAR STOPPED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LATER THAT EVENING I GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN OUT AND NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED WITH AN ~$8000 BILL. THE CAR HAS 58K MILES WITH A…

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 21.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 4,481 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10130895 · 3,090 mi

SUV ENGINE STALLED 7/3/2005 GOING 65 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV RESTARTED AFTER STALL. SUV ENGINE STALLED AGAIN 7/22/2005 GOING 45 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV DID NOT RESTART AFTER STALL. TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE AND SAID CAUSE WAS WATER THAT SPILLED DURING THE INCIDENT HOWEVER WATER SPILLED BECAUSE OF INCIDENT NOT BEFORE. SUV HAD STALLED 3 WEEKS PRIOR AND NO WATER WAS INVOLVED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL AND I WILL GET HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE HELP I…

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ODI 10142963 · 4,481 mi

2006 MERCEDES ML 350 - WATER GOT SPILLED ON FLOOR IN PASSENGER REAR SEAT AREA; UNKNOWN TO US, THERE IS ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY - REFERRED TO AS THE FRT SAM IN THE INVOICE. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHUT DOWN, AND AT ONE POINT THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE BEING DRIVEN. ALSO CAUSED A SHORT IN A POWER WINDOW THAT CREATED A LOT OF SMOKE. THERE IS A CUP HOLDER IN THE BACK SEAT, AND THAT IS WHERE KIDS SIT, BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THAT A LIQUID SPILL IN THE REAR SEAT COULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THUS THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN (EVEN THE …

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ODI 10561315 · 70,000 mi

I HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND MY MODEL IS NOT EFFECTED WITH THIS RECALL RECALL NUMBER: 05V224000 DATES MANUFACTURED: JAN 0001 TO JAN 0001 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 7191 DATE OWNERS NOTIFIED ON: JAN 0001 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. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FO…

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 14.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 37,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10140198 · 4,000 mi

THE VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS FAILURES ARE DETAILED BELOW: DOT SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER STEERING CLAMP REPAIRED BY MBM IN JULY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF POWER STEERING SYSTEM OCCURRED ~ 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER WITH 4 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, BARELY AVOIDED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. VEHICLE TOWED TO MBM FOR REPAIRS. I INDICATED TO THE SERVICE REP THAT I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING ABRUPT SHIFTING. A PROMISE BY NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CLEAN UP OF GARAGE AND DRIVE FROM PS FLUID DID NOT OCCUR. POWER WASHING AND 4 HOURS AND $50 IN CLEANERS WERE NEED…

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ODI 10561315 · 70,000 mi

I HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND MY MODEL IS NOT EFFECTED WITH THIS RECALL RECALL NUMBER: 05V224000 DATES MANUFACTURED: JAN 0001 TO JAN 0001 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 7191 DATE OWNERS NOTIFIED ON: JAN 0001 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. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FO…

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Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 7.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10133057

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES ML350. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR RACED WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHEN HER FOOT WAS FIRST TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE. ON AUGUST 9, 2005 THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. SHE STATED SHE COULD HEAR THE MOTOR SURGING. SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE PUSHED A PING PONG TABLE THROUGH THE WALL AND THEN STOPPED. THIS CAUSED $5000 DAMAGE TO TH…

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 7.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 502 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10143990 · 502 mi

WHILE DRIVING A BRAND NEW 2006 ML-350, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. IT DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: ESP MALFUNCTION, HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION, SPEEDTRONIC INOPERATIVE. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, WITH NO LUCK. HAD TO WAIT FOR 20 - 25 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR CAN BE RESTARTED. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO ME. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A MB DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OIUT THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT ESP MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE NEW ML-350 TO STOP WHILE DRIVING,…

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b