2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 8%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seats of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 8% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 3 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.
“This event is a one time occurrence--thank goodness! While driving down a 4 lane residential thoroughfare, the interior filled with smoke, I began coughing & gasping for air and the seat back became very hot, all seemingly simultaneous. Instantly opening windows provided oxygen & cleared the smoke as turning off the seat heater relieved the hot seat situation. Gratefully, I was not in freeway traffic, could pull to the curb. Examination on the left side of the drivers seat back, about waist high, revealed a hole about the size of a fat cigar burn. …”
NHTSA complaint #10405522, filed 2011-06, 71,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated that the driver's side heated seat caught on fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10555288, filed 2013-12, 101,000 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
- 10248162Dec 4, 2023Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ⢠Objects wedged…
- 11031635May 18, 2018To enhance the satisfaction of our customers, avoid further costs of litigation and return focus to its core business, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) entered into a settlement…
- 10166099Jul 10, 2014Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky.
- 10034608Feb 5, 2010Mercedes: the electrically folding 3rd seat row makes noises while folding up and down, or the folding function does not work at all. A warning message about locking the 3rd seat…
- 10019466Feb 28, 2006Driver and passenger front heated seats nonfunctional.
Seats: 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 complaintsExterior lighting
2 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