RoadVitals

2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Nov 17, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 37 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 17, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE ESP AND ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT PARKED VEHICLES CAUSING MULTIPLE DAMAGES AND INJURIES TO ME.

NHTSA ID
11699958
Incident
Mar 20, 2025
BrakesElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jan 17, 2024

I am experiencing malfunctions of the Seat Belt, electrical and breaking system

NHTSA ID
11565990
Incident
May 17, 2023
Brakes
Filed Apr 27, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. Then towed to another towing lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact was concerned that he was not notified previously about the do not drive notice.

NHTSA ID
11519293
Incident
Apr 21, 2023
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 28, 2022

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. The contact stated that she then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to speak with the dealer, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID
11491372
Incident
May 28, 2022
Mileage
132,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11482203
Incident
Jun 30, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the vehicle responded. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to his residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11474558
Incident
Jun 27, 2022
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioningInterior & seats
Filed May 18, 2010
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS MELTING. THE DEALER REUPHOLSTERED THE SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE OWNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE WIRING HARNESS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS COULD ONLY BE USED MANUALLY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10330995
Incident
Feb 18, 2010
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,600. UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10210926
Incident
Oct 8, 2007
Mileage
28,400 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Electrical8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .