2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 17%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,275miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 17% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,275 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving with the driver's side electric seat heater turned on. I noticed a burning smell and felt a burning pain on my back. After exiting the vehicle I saw that the seat heater had burned a hole through the leather driver's seat and through my jacket.”
NHTSA complaint #10702322, filed 2015-03, 118,021 miles“Headlight wiring insulation is cracking leaving the wire exposed. If the wires touch it couid short circuit the electrical system or cause a fire. My vehicle was stationary when I noticed the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10971757, filed 2017-04, 65,550 miles“I was driving and I turned on my seat heater, and I saw smoke. I burned my clothing and have a little burn on my back. The seat was burning and had a little fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10694886, filed 2015-03, 60,000 miles“Seat warmer malfunction, I was driving and had to pull over as my seat warmer created a fire inside my seat and burned 3 holes thru my seat and singed my clothing. Drivers side seat on left side of seat. Mercedes ml 350 2006”
NHTSA complaint #10401603, filed 2011-05, 104,500 miles“I had a 2006 ML350. It spontaneously caught fire as it was parked for two hours after I had driven it. The firemen state in the report it was an electrical fire and started from a short in the rear taillight harness.I brought this to mercedes benz USA's attention and they were careless about the safety dangers that this caused/posed. They said it wasnt a manufacturers defect after the 2 month long investigation was stamped inconclusive.they were of more concern about this being leaked or exposed and tried to sweep my case under the rug. …”
NHTSA complaint #10730967, filed 2015-06, 76,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10166088Jul 12, 2014Noises from the mounting of the rear weight sensing system (WSS) sensors
- 10165842Jul 10, 2014With an unfavorable sensor position and high rpms, the sensor may deliver incorrect rpm values and the transmission control unit may detect overspeeding. Owing to the software…
- 10165852Jul 9, 2014Noise in center console area of W166.
- 10165851Jul 8, 2014Side windows may make noises when closing and opening, or reverse direction when closing.
- 10165850Jul 8, 2014Side windows may make noises when closing and opening, or reverse direction when closing.
- 10167007Feb 25, 2014Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit.
- 10167006Feb 12, 2014Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit.
- 10205233Aug 5, 2013Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 29% |
| 2013 | 11 | 19% |
| 2012 | 11 | 17% |
| 2011 | 16 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 10% |
| 2009 | 17 | 18% |
| 2008 | 13 | 19% |
| 2007 | 19 | 23% |
| 2006 | 29 | 17% |
| 2004 | 4 | 11% |
| 2003 | 4 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350
43 complaintsEngine
36 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsSeats
14 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology