Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
i encountered a major issue with the Mercedes ML350, while doing a 3 point turn in a busy suburban Toronto street.The electronic shift module left me stuck in Road way. Causing traffic back up and could not move vehicle.neither forward or reverse.tried pushing and different tactics to move vehicle off road. Had to call CAA-AAA. It was a caos situation,first tow truck could not load vehicle,all wheels were locked in drive and would not shift. Had to wait for special tow Have all four wheels lifted off onto dolly. Tow truck driver said it is a common problem.with MB,BMW and Audi.Vehicles towed to dealer sat at dealer. parts on back order and Not available for repair.Since was in Toronto away from Home. …
My car was included in the balance right shaft recall as 2nd owner I was just made aware as a result my check engine light came on. It was also learned that the car was included in faulty "balance shaft". I should be included because my car has same diagnosis as defective equipment
While driving at most any speed,transmission periodically goes into no gear or a single gear (low or a higher gear) and 'limp mode' without warning....sometimes a "check engine" light. Very scary especially in traffic on the freeway. Bought the vehicle earlier this year with 60,000 miles on it...I am 72 and wife is 71...she is afraid to drive it because of the uncertainty of the drive train. I finally took it to Mercedes Benz as the would not sell my my independent mechanic the parts to repair problem. Mercedes says that I need to have the 722.9 transmission valve body replaced at $3,000 period. I have read of a myriad of similar problems with other owners of cars with this type of transmission....even class action suits. I believe that this is a very dangerous condition that must be resolved and repaired by the manufacturer. …
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. …
Tl* - 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that the driver parked in a residential driveway with the engine running and exited the vehicle for thirty seconds. After attempting to re-enter the vehicle, the vehicle abnormally lunged forward, dragging the driver as she attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver noticed that the gear shifter had abnormally shifted out of park. Before the driver was able to fully enter the vehicle, the vehicle crashed into a residential gate. The driver sustained minor abrasions to the head but did not seek any medical treatment. The police were contacted the following day. The manufacturer was also contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 42,689.
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
My car suddenly lost power in the highway, and didn't want to accelerate,causing car to high RPM rev,going into limp mode and not accelerate, almost causing my family and to have a serious accident.vehicle was diagnosed by a shop which stated my speed sensor conductor plate is defective...upon doing research, I have noticed that this is common dangerous issue on the 06 Mercedes ml models..Mercedes even has a class action suite against them due to this issue..
The vehicle is getting stuck in 7 gear on the freeway and not down-shifting to allow passing. Even when coming to a stop, the car will remain in 7th gear. This is a dangerous condition because the consumer does not know the car is not shifting correctly. Mercedes is aware of valvebody and conductor plate issues with these cars.
Transmission complaints in other ML350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 25% of the model year's 172 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.