2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 43about this part
- Share
- 25%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,750miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 25% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,750 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Around 45,000 miles the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to a mercedes benz dealer service department and was notified that the balance shaft needs to be replaced. In order to replace the balance shaft, the engine needs to be taken out of the vehicle and taken apart. Estimated cost $6,000. The service dept. Told me that it was due to a part that was not hardened properly during manufacturing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10426711, filed 2011-09, 45,000 miles“I recently started noticing a slight humming sound coming from the front of my SUV. I took it to the service center and was told the front differential needs to be replace at a cost of $3668.00. I was told they just go bad and also they just replaced two more here lately.”
NHTSA complaint #10465305, filed 2012-07, 63,000 miles“Around 52,000 miles the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to a mercedes benz dealer service department and was notified that the balance shaft needs to be replaced. In order to replace the balance shaft, the engine needs to be taken out of the vehicle and taken apart. Estimated cost $4,000 to $7,500. The service dept. Told me that it was due to a part that was not hardened properly during manufacturing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10376222, filed 2011-01, 53,000 miles“2006 ML350 mercedes benz - check engine light has come on and the garage tells me that the balance shaft gears have worn and need to be replaced in a car with just 67,000 miles on it. The price is 5500 and there are many people I've heard from with the same issue with this car. I think this is an obvious flaw in this batch of engines and that there should be a recall as this is serious if the chains actually come off the gears.”
NHTSA complaint #10373684, filed 2011-01, 67,000 miles“When I drove my vehicle at low speed and came to stop, the vehicle jolted by moving forward. I believed this was caused by jerky transmission, and there was a bug in the software that controlled the transmission. I talked to a service guy at my dealership about this, and he told me that there was no fix at this time, awaiting an answer from mercedes benz.”
NHTSA complaint #10151563, filed 2006-03, 2,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10164811Aug 5, 2019Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of rear axle
- 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…
- 10044200Apr 2, 2012Xentry: mercedes benz: grunting/creaking sound from the area of the front axle when braking, driving over surface undulations, negotiating tight corners, or while maneuvering…
- 10021242Sep 1, 2006Coating formation on gear selector actuator motor (ism motor).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 | 13% |
| 2014 | 4 | 6% |
| 2013 | 6 | 11% |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 6% |
| 2007 | 17 | 20% |
| 2006 | 43 | 25% |
| 2005 | 5 | 22% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350
36 complaintsElectrical system
29 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 Nov 1, 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