Vehicle Data Hub

2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 problems

NHTSA has received 49 complaints about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500, and 16% of them involve electrical system. Next are brakes (14%) and steering (10%).

At a glance

Complaints
49 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Electrical system 16% of complaints
Crashes and fires
5 and 7
Injuries and deaths
6 and 0
Typical mileage
70,000 miles 35 complaints with mileage

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Where the complaints are

Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  • Electrical system 16%
  • Brakes 14%
  • Steering 10%
  • Air bags 8%
  • Cruise control 8%
  • Transmission 8%
  • Drivetrain & axles 6%
  • Seats 6%
  • Lighting 4%
  • Air conditioning & heating 2%

When problems show up

Complaints by mileage, 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 70,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 1 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 4 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 10 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 5 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 4 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 2 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 4 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 2 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 3 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 70,000 miles
Based on 35 complaints that include mileage. 43% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles1
20k to 40k miles4
40k to 60k miles10
60k to 80k miles5
80k to 100k miles4
100k to 120k miles2
120k to 140k miles4
140k to 160k miles2
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles3

What the data shows

Of the 35 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 70,000 miles.

Safety-related details: 5 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 95% of model years in our database.

It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.

What owners wrote

A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz ml550. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it rolled down the hill and crashed into a gate. The driver jump into the vehicle to depress the brake and sustained scratches and cuts. The road conditions were dry. The manufacturer inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was normal. The insurance company hired an investigator and he stated that there was a manufacturer defect with the braking system.

Reported at 28,400 miles, October 2007 CrashInjury

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML 500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a tree. The brake pedal was applied but it failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver-side air bag was deployed. The contact sustained bruises and injuries to her hands, knees, and shoulder, and medical attention was provided by her primary physician. There was no fire or police report filed.

Reported at 125,000 miles, April 2023 CrashInjury

The esp and ABS malfunctioned and the vehicle went out of control and hit parked vehicles causing multiple damages and injuries to me.

March 2025 CrashInjury

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 mercedes benz ml500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, she began to smell an abnormal, burning odor emitting from the vehicle. As the contact came to a complete stop, the passenger seat erupted in flames without warning. The contact immediately exited the vehicle and a local bystander called the authorities. Once the fire department arrived, they were able to extinguish the fire. The contact was uncertain if a fire report was filed.

Reported at 240,000 miles, September 2020 Fire

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power whenever the ignition was bumped. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that the cost to repair the vehicle would be out of pocket. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes were severely corroded and needed to be replaced.

Reported at 132,000 miles, May 2022

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