2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

36Engine complaints

21.1%Of all 171 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE36 · 21.1%

POWER TRAIN33 · 19.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28 · 16.4%

SEATS14 · 8.2%

STEERING13 · 7.6%

Share of the 171 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 overview page.

What owners report

“OUR ML 350 HAS 132213 MILES AS OF 10-2-18, AND IT'S GOT AN ENGINE FAULT OF 1208 CAMSHAFT. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE BALANCE…”NHTSA complaint 11142728 — filed 10/25/2018

“2006 MERCEDES ML 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEMS.”NHTSA complaint 11084096 — filed 04/10/2018

“THE BALANCE SHAFT WENT BAD AFTER REQULAR MAINTENANCE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.”NHTSA complaint 11082596 — filed 04/02/2018

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350: 36 of 171 complaints on file (21.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have in total?

171 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 19 involved a fire, 10 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.