Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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. …
Engine has low power and a whine. Also has a Check Engine Light indicating Center Balance Shaft issue. I took it to Merz dealer and they said it's known issue of soft metal sproket internal to engine that occurs often. Many times at 50k miles but I bought my car at 150k. Was told engine could stop moving forward at any time.
car suddenly stalled out while driving in traffic and was told that the engine went out, was very dangerous and also seen on the website that 100s of other owners with the same problem and mercedes has not done anything about the problem.
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.
My 2006 merc ML350, broke down on me 10/22/16, as soon as I got off the freeway because I was hearing a crackling sound from the engine. I was able to drive in a local parking lot to avoid embarrassment. This vehicle is always needing something, and at this time it was hard to turn the steering wheel to park it because the serpentine (vbelt) had unraveled its way from the alternator pulley!! The lord had saved my life! Same year in March fremont dealership said I needed to replace my air condensor but never said anything about my belt being worn or cracked or anything about this. This should have been noticed at that present time. They misinformed me at that time about the vbelt needing to be replaced and tried to sell me a air mass sensor. Mercedes knows about vehicle 2006 year and all the parts that are malfunctioning and wont lift a finger to recall or reimburse or pay entirely. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the solenoid sensor and the cam shaft fuses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the service engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the balance shaft gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. A month after the repairs, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to another dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission conductor plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The balance shaft on my ML350 has gone bad. The vehicle was in motion on a local street when it suddenly started to stall and eventually cut off. The steering wheel got stiff and I had to forcefully turn it to pull to the side of the road. After attempting to start it again it would only repeat what it's done before which is stall and cut off. After having it towed to my mechanic I was told that the balance shaft is bad. My mechanic advised me to call Mercedes to see if they would fix it out of good faith but that got me no where. There are countless blogs about Mercedes owners who are having the exact same issue with the m272 engine. A rep for Mercedes admitted to me that they are aware of the issue but still refuses to recall. The repair quote is @ about $5000 which is out of my range so the vehicle remains parked. …
Check engine light came on and when I took my truck in they said it was the balance shaft gear $7500 in md. I couldn't afford it so I left and did research to see if this is something that happens to all mls or I just ave bad luck. I found out they recalled this part and a class action lawsuit was filed and approved in 2015. Its too late to claim it now, there was a time limit which I feel is ridiculous that's like putting a time limit on someones life because of a faulty part Mercedes knew about for a long time and didn't say anything. What will it take to get this issue resolved without having to come out of pocket to pay or to get a lawyer to file a class action lawsuit again. Since there has been more than one class action law suit filed should speak volume and we should be taken care of without any problems.
My car stalled on the street. This is a safety issue. Called dealer, they said turn off and turn on to reset. This worked, however it continued to happened until I brought it to the dealer. They said it was the balance shaft and cost $6000. I called corporate and gave them law suit documentation, ,emails, testimonials and bulletins showing the issues of this vehicle. Because of the miles and car not covered under warranty, they would reduce cost by 25%. That is still to high. This car at the time should have been covered and the dealer recommended turning off/on the car to reset. For a new car to be given that advise is insane. There should be a recall on this vehicle because their tons of information on the web,emails and etc. Regarding this issue. I need my car fixed asap. I can't afford this high repair.
Pulling out into lane of traffic accelerating where car abruptly starts to run very very rough. Check engine lights come on and can become unsafe with no power and oncoming traffic approaching. Similarly while driving over 60mph same scenario causing CEL to come on and car to disengage cruise and slow extremely fast. Very rough running and idle. Terrible feeling of being unsafe and at risk. Finding p0016 and p0017 codes and all symptoms of balance shaft issue that the mb m272 is known for. My wife and I are afraid to drive this vehicle now knowing it had a known defective engine component in a software balance shaft gear
Engine complaints in other ML350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 31% of the model year's 172 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.