2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Owner Complaints

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

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger's side rear door glass had independently fallen into the door. The contact stated a burning odor was on the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed water underneath the front passenger's seat and the battery compartment was full of water. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electrical system due to water leaking into the rear taillight assembly. The contact was informed that the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN information was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11580508

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

Mileage

200,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11565990

Incident

May 17, 2023

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

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

When reviewing the vehicle for purchase I noticed the SRS light on. I brought it to the dealerships attention. They instructed me to bring it back in the morning after signing paperwork so they could fix it. After I brought it back they let me know that they didn't see any SRS lights and would not be servicing the vehicle. There has been multiple mechanical issues with the vehicle including but not limited to the transmission going out, break recalls, engine leaks and now I'm being informed that my passenger air bag is deactivated. I just want a safe vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11482998

Incident

Jun 7, 2021

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

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

Car is extremely hard to turn/loss of power steering. Noticed that there was a recall on these vehicles but my vin was not included. Mechanic said Power steering rack is bad. This has been an ongoing issue with this car since purchased with only 70,000 miles - not sure why this VIN was not included in the recall? Car stock radio screen also has intermittent issues with displaying properly.

NHTSA ID

11450281

Incident

Nov 3, 2014

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the SRS warning light would remain illuminated and a whining noise was present coming from the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11439510

Incident

Jun 5, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

MY CAR WAS PARKED AND HADN'T MOVED SINCE THE DAY BEFORE. I WAS JUST SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, OPENED DOOR TO EXIT WHEN SAB DEPLOYED HITTING ME SQUARE ON MY FRONTAL LOBE ANEURISM COIL.AMBULANCE TOOK ME TO HOSPITAL. JUST HAD FULLY SERVICED BY MERCEDES 2 WKS PRIOR. SUDDEN DRASTIC EYESIGHT DECLINE

NHTSA ID

11385363

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

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. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VERBALLY INFORMED THAT CONTACT AT THE SCENE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE; SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOME DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11365782

Incident

Sep 26, 2020

Mileage

240,000 mi

I CONTACTED MERCEDES ABOUT THE POWER STEERING LEAKAGE & PROBLEMS ON MY ML500 2006 SUV, I SEE A RECALL WAS MADE, BUT MY VIN# IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL BY MERCEDES

NHTSA ID

11139739

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS DETECTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF STEVENS CREEK (4500 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129, (408) 641-4610) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11119737

Incident

Aug 6, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

DRIVING ON PUBLIC ROADS AND WITHOUT NOTICE THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE AND WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS, CAN ONLY GO 15-20 MPH OR THE RPMS WILL REV TO 4-5K. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11073859

Incident

Jan 5, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

OUR 2006 MERCEDES ML500 HAS HAD BOTH INTERNAL MECHANICAL LATCHES TO DOORS BREAK APART INSIDE THE FRONT DOORS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WHEN USE USE THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH TO OPEN THE VEHICLE DOORS, THEY UNLOCK OK BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE OR LOCK AFTER INITIAL OPENING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU CANNOT CLOSE THE DOOR (THE LATCH IS BROKEN). THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE ANY DISTANCE TO GET TO A MERCEDES DEALER. OF COURSE THEY NEVER HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK. ON ONE OCCASION, I HAD TO TRY TO PHYSICALLY HOLD THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT DOOR CLOSED UNTIL WE COULD GET SOME ROPE TO TIE FROM ONE DOOR TO ANOTHER. FORTUNATELY WE NOW HAVE A ROPE IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. MY WIFE WAS ALONE IN THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND HAD TO TIE THE DIVERS DOOR TO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. FORTUNATELY SHE WORKS 1 1/2 MILE FROM THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER. IT WAS STILL VERY SCARY FOR HER BECAUSE WHENEVER SHE TURNED A CORNER, THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD SWING OPEN SLIGHTLY. AGAIN THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IS A $1,000.00 REPAIR. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

NHTSA ID

10836706

Incident

Feb 16, 2016

Mileage

27,000 mi

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS SOCKETS ARE GETTING BURNT CAUSING THE BRAKES LIGHT TO FAIL. CORROSION ON A CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE THE TAIL, BRAKE OR REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS TO DIM OR FAIL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAN MAKE CARS LESS VISIBLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2008 - 2011 MERCEDES C CLASS WHICH RECENTLY HAD A RECALL ISSUED.

NHTSA ID

10748892

Incident

Aug 14, 2015

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE HATCH DOOR LATCH WOULD ERRONEOUSLY LOCK AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BLINK OFF AND ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE HORN ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND COULD NOT BE TURN OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT MOMENT LATER SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR HATCH AREA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT AND FUSE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DURING THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID

10614990

Incident

Jul 19, 2014

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID

10555288

Incident

Dec 8, 2013

Mileage

101,000 mi

SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON LOCAL ROADS OR THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SWITCH HIGHER THAN THIRD GEAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. UPON ENGINE RESTART, VEHICLE DRIVES PROPERLY. MY PEDAL SHIFTERS DO NOT WORK WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS; I CAN TRY TO SHIFT GEARS WITH THE PEDAL SHIFTERS, AND THE SOFTWARE INDICATES A CHANGE FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, BUT THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS. IT REMAINS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR WHETHER I SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN. IF I PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRY TO REVERSE, THERE IS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE UNTIL I RESTART THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WITH MORE AND MORE FREQUENCY. I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN THAT I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART MY CAR WHENEVER THIS OCCURS. THIS SEEMS TO BE PROBLEMATIC FOR SEVERAL OWNERS ON THE NHTSA SITE AND ONLINE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10538541

Incident

Aug 30, 2013

Mileage

78,400 mi

2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE SAW ON THE NEWS THERE WAS A POTENTIAL RECALL ON THE C CLASS MERCEDES BENZ DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WHICH SHORT OUT AND CATCH FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HIS VEHICLE. TWO YEARS AGO, THE ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT COMPARTMENT, WIRING AND BULBS HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO CORROSION. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TAIL LIGHTS, THE LOCK ON THE TAILGATE DOOR BEGAN TO OPEN AND CLOSE, THE COMPUTER PANEL ON THE DASH BEGAN TO BLINK INDICATING A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. HOWEVER, THE NEXT THE DAY, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. AAA CAME OUT AND REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE CHARGE DID NOT HOLD FOR VERY LONG. HE WAS ABLE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY LONG ENOUGH, TO GET TO THE DEALER. ONCE AT THE DEALER, A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WIPERS, LIGHTS, BLINKERS AND LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE AGAIN, AND A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED ANOTHER ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THE REPAIR WAS DONE FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ID

10534583

Incident

Aug 1, 2013

Mileage

70,000 mi

VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT OR AFTER TAKING A HIGHWAY FROM A RAMP, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS, AFTER A PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT WILL RUN NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 20-30 TIMES UNTIL YESTERDAY I GET OUT OF WORK PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS IN LIMP MODE STUCK IN 2ND AND WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE CAUSE WAS FROM THE VALVE BODY OF THE TRANSMISSION OR THE CONDUCTOR PLATE AND ONLY THE DEALER IS ALOUD TO REPAIR IT ???. AND WILL COST AROUND $2500 .I READ THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEM WITH THIS 722.9 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND MBUSA IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL. NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND FORCE MBUSA TO RECALL ALL DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AT NO COST BECAUSE ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510439

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

47,000 mi

MY WIFE HAS HAD 4 INCIDENTS WHERE THE SUV HAS FELT LIKE IS WANTS TO ACCELERATE WHILE STOPPING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 23 NOVEMBER, WHERE AS SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND IT FELT LIKE SHE HAD BEEN HIT IN THE REAR. THE CAR IS GOING INTO THE MB DEALER, PARK PLACE MERCEDES BENZ, FORT WORTH 817-263-3600, 27 NOVEMBER FOR INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10485867

Incident

Nov 23, 2012

Mileage

48,763 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT WHENEVER ONE AIR BAG WAS MALFUNCTIONING, IT WOULD PREVENT ALL OF THE AIR BAGS FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, STATING THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE AIR BAG HARNESS WOULD BE EXTENDED TO 100,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO DO ANY REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10448931

Incident

Feb 1, 2012

Mileage

94,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH APPROACHING A TURN AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING AND LEAKAGE OF FLUID. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER UNDER 05V224000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

10440197

Incident

May 15, 2009

Mileage

98,000 mi