2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 4,481miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and steering (3). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 55% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,481 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling4 29%
- Steering3 21%
- Electrical system2 14%
- Seats1 7.1%
- Suspension1 7.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.1%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “After driven the new 2006 ml350 for 3500 miles, the low engine oil indicator come up. Took the car to service, and found the car is leaking engine oil in multiple places. It took 1 week to fix the leak between transmission and engine. Then they need to order parts to fix second leak in oil pan. After the part arrived, I took the car to be fixed. After 3 days without any call, I called to find out the status. Now, they said one of the engine cylinder is leaking engine oil and need several more days to fix. …”
NHTSA complaint #10144352, filed 2005-12, 3,500 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Two problems - first, transmission do not switch higher than second speed. Upon engine restart, vehicle drove properly. Second, on another occasion, I was sitting at a traffic light and when I attempted to pull off, the vehicle started driving very slow and rough. I pulled to the side of the road; turned off the engine and waited for a few seconds. When I started the vehicle again and attempted to drive away, the vehicle drove properly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10432214, filed 2011-10, 74,600 milesSteering: “I have same problem with my car and my model is not effected with this recall recall number: 05v224000 dates manufactured: jan 0001 to jan 0001 number of vehicles affected: 7191 date owners notified on: jan 0001 on certain passenger vehicles, a hose clamp that secures the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection. Consequence of defect: a loss of power steering fluid can damage the power steering pump and may result in diminished power assist for steering which could lead to a crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561315, filed 2014-01, 70,000 milesElectrical system: “While driving a brand new 2006 ml-350, the car suddenly shut down in the middle of the road. All the warning lights came on. It displayed the following message: esp malfunction, headlight malfunction, speedtronic inoperative. Tried to restart the car, with no luck. Had to wait for 20 - 25 minutes before the car can be restarted. This happened 3 times to me. The car is currently sitting at a mb dealership for 2 days, and they are trying to figure oiut the problem. It seems that esp malfunction causes the new ml-350 to stop while driving, which is extremely dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #10143990, filed 2005-11, 502 milesMileage when problems were reported
55% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,090 and 70,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 08V303000Jul 7, 2008Electrical systemCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 2006–2008, SLK 2005–2009, E Class 2003–2006 +13 more
Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class…
- 05V224000May 16, 2005Steering › Hydraulic power assist systemCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 2006
On certain passenger vehicles, a hose clamp that secures the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
Recall details for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10037408Nov 19, 2010Suspension. Mercedes-benz: shock absorber procedure.
- 10016639Mar 3, 2006Electrical system. Abs/bas/esp, tire pressure, and/or brake wear visit workshop displayed in instrument cluster. Mercedes-benz model 164 and 186 model year 2006.
- 10016685May 16, 2005Electrical system. Esp lamp illuminated.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 | 4,481 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10 | 24,334 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 5 | 50,450 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 25 | 75,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 18 | 100,050 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 5 | 67,700 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz M Class model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M Class reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,481 miles and the middle half falls between 3,090 and 70,000 miles; 55% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.