2006 BMW X5 vs 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2006 BMW X5 | 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 168 | 172 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 107 | 100 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 11 | 19 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16 | 16 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 85,000 mi | 70,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW X5 | Mercedes-Benz ML350 |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 83 | 9 |
| Power Train | 7 | 43 |
| Electrical System | 20 | 29 |
| Engine | 7 | 36 |
| Seats | 25 | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 21 | 12 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 17 |
| Steering | 2 | 16 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 31 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 9 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 40 |
| Stalling | 0 | 16 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 5 |
2006 BMW X5
2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350
Compare all BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz ML350 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.