Mercedes Benz M-CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
56,646 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2009 model years. Data updated: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 17 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting
5
29.4%
Engine operation
3
17.6%
Steering behavior
3
17.6%
Braking behavior
1
5.9%
Electrical and battery issues
1
5.9%
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.
Electrical System
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Seats
2
Steering
2
Power Train
1
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Seats
2
Steering
2
Power Train
1
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
1
Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seats: 2; Steering: 2; Power Train: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 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
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
2
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 4 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
3
2011
2
2012
2
2014
2
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2005
8
2009
3
2011
2
2012
2
2014
2
2005: 8; 2009: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System 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.
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…
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 …
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…
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
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…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
17 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
76.5%Usable mileage13 / 17 records
100.0%Valid incident date17 / 17 records
100.0%Valid filing date17 / 17 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates17 / 17 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
Component
2006
2007
2009
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 …
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
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
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…
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…
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
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
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
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…
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
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Electrical System
Too few reports for a range
4,481 mi
3 (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 …
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,…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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
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
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…
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…
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
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.
2007: 1 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2007
0
0
1
2009
1
1
1
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2007
2
0
0
2009
1
0
0
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
Component
Electrical System
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Engine And Engine Cooling
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Seats
Steering
Power Train
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Electrical System
—
0
0
0
1ODI 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
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
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
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
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 · 17.6% 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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Steering assistance concerns
2 mentions · 11.8% 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…
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…
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…
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,…