Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V298000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle a week later, the brake warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated, and the message "Take to Service Center" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made an abnormal rubbing and squeaking sound, and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the failure to be corrected under the recall, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the recall repair was not performed by the dealer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently experienced phantom braking with the ABS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed and made an abnormal sound; however, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS sensor was faulty. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS sensor needed to be reset. The dealer reset the ABS sensor and informed the contact that the brake system housing was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
While trying to slow in to a corner, the brakes did not work, pushing harder on the brakes caused pulling and vibration. The vehicle left the road causing damage to right fender, bumper, wheel, tire and door. The vehicle has been inspected, brake pads and brakes seemed fine. This continues to happen on a rare occasion, maybe once every 30 times vehicle is driven. This is very scarry to have brake failure, so the vehicle is rarely driven now because no remedy has been offered.
Hello, There is a safety recall from the manufacturer and they have advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle does take a little more press on the breaks for it to function so we are assuming that we are affected by this recall. I have writen emails and called the Mercedez hotline on June 1st 2022 and they assured me over the phone that the dealership will be able to help. When i called the dealerships in St Louis, namely Plaza motors and St Louis Mercedez they declined to inspect the vehicle and advised that i can keep driving untill they inspect the vehicle. The recall from mercedez clearly states that the vehicle should not be driven. When i told them about it they changed the story and told me they dont know when they can do the inspection. …
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact was given an appointment by the dealer weeks in advance and was notified in the recall notice to stop driving the vehicle immediately. The manufacturer assured the contact on multiple occasions that the dealer would provide an alternative form of transportation until the recall was serviced; however, the dealer failed to provide the contact another form of transportation. 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.
While my vehicle was having a mandatory safety recall performed on the brake booster, my brake line was damaged and now the dealership is asking for $7,000 to repair something caused by them and directly related to a safety recall. The car was in working condition prior to being brought to the dealership and now it is at the dealership and inoperable.
Since my significant others and I purchased this 2006 Mercedes Benz SUV - ML-350, over three months ago, we were wondering why the "Engine check light was always on" so we purchased (4) sensors and replaced the sensors of where OBD tests pointed out for the engine, deleted the Engine Check Light several times but it will go back on after we driven it for another 50 to 100 miles away to normal highways and freeways driving to relearn the computer system and the Check Engine Light On again and again but not blinking? We called our friendly mechanics and he said it maybe faults recalled that part of the electronics or maybe the computer is giving that "engine check" light on because it has some safety components is malfunctioning, the braking is also hard and sometimes it is too soft when I push it with my right foot to stop the car and also the car is using too much gas. …
Driving 45mph approaching a stop, I hit the brakes and the car started to slow. Then the car lurched and accelerated by its self. I pushed the brake harder and tried to pump it but nothing slowed the vehicle. The brakes felt as if they were not working at all. Vehicle crashed at about 55mph and rolled severely injuring the driver. No adverse weather conditions, 77 degrees out, driving on a military installation road.
I was in an accident rear ending another car (straight on- nose to tail of other car) at freeway speed (55-60) and the breaks seemed like they were spongy/soft (my best description) and at that speed and direct hit my airbags should have went off, it was a pretty solid impact so much my front end and hood, frame bent.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard extending the stopping distance. The contact attempted to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle however, the parking brake failed to slow the vehicle in a timely manner. The contact stated that the three unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes-Benz of bedford located at 18122 rockside road, bedford, oh 44146, [phone], to be diagnosed and repaired. The diagnostic test and repair was still pending. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
Brake complaints in other ML350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 12% of the model year's 172 complaints. The component named most often is power assist (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-298 (vacuum, Apr 26, 2024); NHTSA recall 22V-315 (vacuum, May 9, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.