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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
19%of 37 total for the year
Median mileage
53,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 19% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles.

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.

“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

“Accelerated after stopping at a lighted intersection. The transmission would not shift into gear therefore, the vehicle would not move. Vehicle was taken to dealer who replaced the transmission at the reduced cost of $2500, as a courtesy, since the vehicle was out of warranty by 3k miles.”

NHTSA complaint #10294122, filed 2009-12, 53,000 miles

“After stopping at a traffic light, released brake and pressed gas; the RPM would go up, but the car would not move forward, instead the car started to roll backwards because it was on a hill. The gear indicator was on drive, but car was actually on neutral. The transmission would not change gears. This creates a dangerous situation as car is on neutral and cannot change transmission back to any gear. Car was take to a dealer repair shop, where transmission valve body was replaced. As car was out of warranty cost of repair over $1000.”

NHTSA complaint #10291630, filed 2009-11, 53,000 miles

“2006 ML500 was purchased in june, 2010 as a cpo, one week after purchase vehicle began to lurch forward while completely stopped at a stop light. The next day vehicle was taken to mercedes service and mechanic was able to duplicate problem. Was told flushing transmission was answer, but problem continued for months. Vehicle then began to stick in neutral while attempting to shift to drive or reverse. Several times was stuck in traffic due to this problem. After many instances of this, vehicle was taken back to mercedes service. Was told problem was due to snap ring coming loose. …”

NHTSA complaint #10373422, filed 2010-12, 36,039 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2006719%
200416%
200227%

Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500

Electrical system
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeats
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