3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,390 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #13

May 312016

ML350 6-cyl

  • miles
Recently I was driving and my check engine came on. I took it to the Mercedes-Benz dealer to have it checked and the diagnostic reported the balance shaft and intake repair was needed. The issue is that there was a lawsuit against mbusa for faulty balance shafts. At no point in time was I informed of the claim on my vehicle. I need assistance in having my vehicle repaired before the time expires. Mb usa has defective parts and they are not acknowledging the repair.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #12

Jun 012016

ML350 6-cyl

  • miles
Letter from senator nelson re constituent re 2006 ml Mercedes Benz SUV ml 350 recall issues. The consumer stated there was a class action lawsuit filed against Mercedes Benz, due to an inferior balance shaft in the engine. A number of vehicles including his were defective. The repair for the vehicle ends on June 16, 2016. However, the consumer was informed he was not eligible, because his vehicle exceeded 125,000 miles.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #11

Feb 022012

ML350 6-cyl

  • 86,770 miles
Owner of 2006 ML350 check engine light came on took in for diagnosis with cam shaft failure, mb does not offer any help and knew of this issue. Class action lawsuit in NJ already started, hoping one will get started in SC. Cost to repair is $6,000 to the customer. This is usury, and deception by the wonderful automakers of this great foreign car maker with an office in the usa. When you call mb usa they advise you to speak with the service manager that offers no help.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #10

May 092011

ML350

  • miles
Transmission codes do not switch gears happens alot how I'm driving have to get codes reset every 2 to 3 days!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #9

Sep 012011

ML350 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Around 45,000 miles the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to a Mercedes Benz dealer service department and was notified that the balance shaft needs to be replaced. In order to replace the balance shaft, the engine needs to be taken out of the vehicle and taken apart. Estimated cost $6,000. The service dept. Told me that it was due to a part that was not hardened properly during manufacturing. There is a technical service bulletin (s-B-03.30/08I) that was originally issued in 2007 which was found in internet searching, however it seems like Mercedes Benz knows that the check engine light (on the majority of these vehicles) will not come on until when the warranty has expired. Since this fix is a huge expense, they are not going to issue a recall even though it is clearly a safety concern. If I would've have continued to drive the vehicle in this condition, eventually the balance shaft would have continued to break its teeth resulting in engine failure. Continuing to drive the vehicle in the condition is not safe, it is a matter of time before the vehicle stops running and the engine would need to be replaced. The Mercedes Benz usa replaced our balance shaft or pay for it people who already fixed.

- Centreville , VA, USA

problem #8

Aug 262011

ML350 6-cyl

  • 47,800 miles
Balance shaft problem on the 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 - I live in South fl and I have a 2006 Mercedes ML350 with less than 50,000 miles and just last week got a check engine light. Took it to the dealership in pompano beach and they told me that the balance shaft has to be replaced and it will cost $6600. This is a known problem and the manufacturer makes no effort to recall the vehicles and replace the parts for free. I cannot afford to pay for this factory defect, Mercedes Benz should pay for it.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #7

Mar 012011

ML350 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Vehicle does not accelerate.

- Olmsted Falls, OH, USA

problem #6

May 202011

ML350 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
I am the owner of a Mercedes 2006 ML350. I have had my cam sensor and crank shaft sensor repaired 3 times since I have owned the vehicle. I initially had my car serviced at park place in dallas on lemmon avenue. My check engine light is on again after having this same issue repaired several times. I can no longer afford to keep repairing for a problem that is going to continue to cause problems. After having these items repaired I took my vehicle to get an inspection and I failed the inspection. So I took it to a mechanic and he told me that my balance shaft gear needs to be replaced which is the reason for my sensors to continually wear out. This repair cost $6000 and I cannot afford it. My check engine light has been on for months and I have an expired inspection sticker because I cannot afford the cost of this repair.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #5

Jun 272011

ML350

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. While driving approximately 60 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning light remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a diagnostic test was performed that detected a trouble code. The technician stated the engine sprocket was faulty. The contact was waiting for a response for the repair coverage under the service warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

- Pennfauken , NJ, USA

problem #4

Sep 102010

ML350

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated the check engine light continued to flash on the instrument cluster. The dealer stated that the balance shift malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The balance shift also caused the vehicle to stall and had become a major problem with this year, make and model vehicle which could potentially cause a crash to occur. The vehicle was not replaced. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #3

Jul 202008

ML350

  • 23,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. While driving 65 mph, the contact heard a loud beep and noticed a flash of warning lights across the instrument panel. The check engine, (!), and brake lights illuminated simultaneously. The vehicle seized to a jolt, released, coasted, and then failed. He had difficulty restarting the vehicle, but when it did, all of the lights illuminated again, including esp go to workshop. He said that his foot was on the accelerator the entire time. The vehicle is currently with the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 23,000.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 142005

ML350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2006 Mercedes ML350. Vehicle surges when starting/ pulling out and coming to a stop.. the dealership has vehicle for five weeks and they still haven't found the problem. This problem started occurring after two weeks after purchase. No accidents have occurred.

- New Port Coast, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 282005

ML350 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
Regarding: ODI id number 10130895 I had similar issues with the vehicle and Mercedes Benz could not replicate the problem and blamed it on me for driving with two feet. I don't drive with two feet and I refused to accept the car without anything being diagnosed and repaired. The next day they called and had a code for a faulty crank sensor which they replaced. I haven't noticed any problems since then but it was very unnerving to know my wife was driving this vehicle (ML500 '06) while these problems could happen. Someone should recall this immediately.

- Mckinney, TX, USA