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Mercedes-Benz ML500Model year report

2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Problems

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
71,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and transmission and drivetrain (7). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 93 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 21 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the vacuum and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Engine (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “On an out of town trip on the highway, our SUV brake, ABS, esp lights went on, the instrument panel show that ABS, esp, display malfunction, contract service. Power steering and brake are both very tight. Speedometer went to zero. After we report the incidence to m-brace service, we manage got off the highway from the next immediate exit to the closest gas station, and the check engine light went on, the car was totally off by itself. We spent one night with a friend nearby. …”

NHTSA complaint #10348487, filed 2010-08, 43,444 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power whenever the ignition was bumped. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that the cost to repair the vehicle would be out of pocket. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11491372, filed 2022-10, 132,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Sporadically, while driving along on local roads or the highway, the car's transmission does not switch higher than third gear. The problem occurs about once a month. Upon engine restart, vehicle drives properly. My pedal shifters do not work when this problem occurs; I can try to shift gears with the pedal shifters, and the software indicates a change from 3rd to 4th gear, but the actual transmission does not change gears. It remains stuck in third gear whether I speed up or slow down. If I place the vehicle in park and try to reverse, there is no power to the vehicle until I restart the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10538541, filed 2013-09, 78,400 miles

Steering: “I contacted mercedes about the power steering leakage & problems on my ML500 2006 SUV, I see a recall was made, but my VIN# is not included in the voluntary recall by mercedes”

NHTSA complaint #11139739, filed 2018-10, 68,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,763 and 101,000 miles.

0%0–106%10–2523%25–5023%50–7516%75–10023%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 71,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’08’11’14’18’225’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ML-Class · sedan AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 17.9% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ML500 4WD/AWD5.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic131714$5,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 → · 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. 93 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 93 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20079123,0002—14—Not enough data
20063771,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20041890,0000—14—Falling
200313104,5000—14—Not enough data
20022798,8631—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mercedes-Benz ML500 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.

Has the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 (ML500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,000 miles and the middle half falls between 48,763 and 101,000 miles; 29% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.