2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 5%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 5% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rear brake lights sockets are getting burnt causing the brakes light to fail. Corrosion on a connector can cause the tail, brake or rear turn signal lights to dim or fail. This is a safety issue because it can make cars less visible to other drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash. This is the exact same issue with the 2008 - 2011 mercedes c class which recently had a recall issued.”
NHTSA complaint #10748892, filed 2015-08, 70,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz ML500. While driving 65 MPH with the drivers side heated seat activated, the contact noticed that the seat was melting. The dealer reupholstered the seat and the vehicle was released to the owner. The contact was driving 3 MPH when the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer replaced the brake wiring harness to correct the failure. In addition, the contact also advised the dealer that the power door locks could only be used manually. The dealer confirmed that the power door lock switch needed to be replaced as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10330995, filed 2010-05, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031580Apr 16, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029959Mar 9, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029062Feb 25, 2026Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11029025Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11028989Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11008323Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamps fogged or droplets forming. Cause Due to its outlet openings, the headlamp is an "open system". This means that acidic gases, moisture, dirt and exhaust gases…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead…
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500
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