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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,471 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Owner Comments

problem #12

May 092011

ML350

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission codes do not switch gears happens alot how I'm driving have to get codes reset every 2 to 3 days!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #11

Jun 022011

ML350 6-cyl

  • 58,400 miles
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 all service records and not missing a single service. I am told that this is out of the warranty zone. I found that there is a transmission issue in most of ML3500 for 2006 models. I think that I am being ripped off and the Mercedes should fix this via recall.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #10

Jan 202011

ML350 6-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
Hello I live in NY and I have a 2006 ML350. Recently I brought my car in for a check engine light to Mercedes Benz. They state the car needs new balance shaft and timing gears. The car only has 46,000 miles. This should not be possible. The cost is over $5,000 to get fixed. Mercedes will not cover it. This seems to be a defect part. In researching the problem I found out I wasn't the only with this issue. There is a class action lawsuit in New Jersey as well as other states. My inspection has expired and can't not pass without the repair which is a safety issue. Here is the link to the class action lawsuit www.courthousenews.com/2010/10/07/Mercedes.pdf. they should make a recall for this problem.

- Rockville Centre, NY, USA

problem #9

Nov 302010

ML350 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2006 ML350 Mercedes Benz - check engine light has come on and the garage tells me that the balance shaft gears have worn and need to be replaced in a car with just 67,000 miles on it. The price is 5500 and there are many people I've heard from with the same issue with this car. I think this is an obvious flaw in this batch of engines and that there should be a recall as this is serious if the chains actually come off the gears.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #8

Dec 182009

ML350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. When accelerating from a complete stop, the engine stalled without warning. He was able to restart the engine and resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the transmission which required replacement. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 61,000. Updated 01/20/10. Updated 01/21/10.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #7

Aug 032009

ML350

  • 80,000 miles
Benz ml 350 - 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. When I got home, I called my Mercedes dealership and advised them of what happened. I was told that it could have been a "system glitch" and the system just had to "reset" itself. Four days later, I was sitting at a traffic light again and when I attempted to pull off, the vehicle would not move. When I put my foot on the gas, it sounded as if it was in neutral. The vehicle would shift from drive to reverse to neutral, but would not move in any direction. I had my vehicle towed to my dealer. I was then advised that my vehicle needed a new transmission.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #6

Dec 312006

ML350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,851 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes 350 M class. The driver was unable to shift the transmission into drive to move forward or into reverse gear. The vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and hit a cement block and continued to lurch forward several times before she could stop the vehicle. The power steering and brakes were inoperable. The warning light indicator appeared on the vehicle after hitting the cement block. She did not recall which indicator light. The vehicle sustained front end passenger damage. The failure and the current mileage was 10,851. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the mechanic replaced the compressor. The contact received a minor bruise. The consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. Updated 03/07/07.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #5

Aug 032006

ML350 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,200 miles
Power train:automatic transmission heavy jolt and skippage at startup from first to second gear and heavy jolt while stopping. Mercedes states it is a software problem however there is no software available to fix the problem.

- Salem, OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 282006

ML350 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,100 miles
When I drove my vehicle at low speed and came to stop, the vehicle jolted by moving forward. I believed this was caused by jerky transmission, and there was a bug in the software that controlled the transmission. I talked to a service guy at my dealership about this, and he told me that there was no fix at this time, awaiting an answer from Mercedes Benz.

- Rosemead, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 152005

ML350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated there was hard and erratic transmission shift. He did not believe the defect was in the transmission. The vehicle jolted at speeds under 45 mph. The vehicle has been to the dealership four times, where they replaced the electronic hydraulic control unit each time. The problem persisted, and the dealership was unable to diagnose the problem.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #2

Oct 152005

ML350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
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 needed to complete the clean up. Mbm indicted permanent repairs would be made at a later date, and I would be called when a new part arrived. No such call or contact for the third safety systems service was ever received. Throughout July and August 7-speed electronic automatic transmission deteriorated, experienced abrupt downshifts primarily at slow speed and on inclines. On five occasions experienced complete disengagement of transmission, all occurred at ~20-45 mph. 4 times it reengaged after jerking and lurching motions over several seconds. 1 occasion it was necessary to shut off and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to mbm in August diagnosed as needing reprogramming. Right outside mirror is not operable resulting in an uncorrectable (no manual adjustment was possible) blind spot. Repairs in progress. I drove the ml 350 into my garage ~9am Saturday morning, pushed in the transmission button, heard typical transmission sound and steeped out of vehicle to unload before heading for additional errands leaving the door open and engine running. I proceeded to the rear and noticed it moving rearward, immediately jumped back in drivers seat, and shut off engine. The vehicle impacted on appliance in garage and resulted in ~$3,000 in damage primarily to drivers door. No final resolution or repairs have been made.

- Madison, NJ, USA

problem #1

Aug 142005

ML350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- New Port Coast, CA, USA

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