Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes-Benz M166 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

6 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

93,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2010 to 2012 model years. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior233.3%
Transmission and shifting116.7%
Fuel system concerns116.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
2
Steering
2
Power Train
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags2
Steering2
Power Train1
Unknown Or Other1

Air Bags: 2; Steering: 2; Power Train: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2019
3
2020
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20193
20203

2019: 3; 2020: 3

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11286569 · 2019-12-03 (December 3, 2019)

WHILE COMMUTING ON A HIGHLY CONGESTED HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST POWER CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME LOCKED THIS LOST OF POWER AND DISABLING CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND TAKING MY VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD

Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11286569 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11302318 · 2020-01-27 (January 27, 2020)

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK (APPROX. 35 MILES) AND THEN RETURNING AFTER THE WORK DAY WAS COMPLETE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS THE TECHNICIAN THEY DISPATCHED TO OUR LOCATION. WE TRIED MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEM WITH NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON INVESTIGATION, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM HAD GONE BAD RESULTING IN A NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AS WELL AS SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE DEPAR…

Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11302318 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11281662 · 2019-11-21 (November 21, 2019)

THIS MODEL HASN!T A TRANSMISSION FLUID MEASUREMENT STICK, BUT EITHER NOT INDICATE AT MONITORING SCREEN IF NEEDS FLUID, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PAN BECOME RUSTED DUE TO LOW MATERIAL QUALITY LEAKING ALL FLUID AND CAUSING SERIOUS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DAMAGES, COSTING OVER US$6000.00 IN REPAIR. I WANT THAT YOU AGENCY OPEN A INVESTIGATION. I HAVE THE OLD PAN TO BE EXANMINATED FOR FAULTY MATERIAL AT ALL VEHICLE OF THAT YEAR AND MODEL.

Owner-reported narrative. 129,105 miles reported. Look up ODI 11281662 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11317416 · 2020-03-10 (March 10, 2020)

AFTER A FUEL FILL UP THERE IS A SERIOUS GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER USING A QUARTER OF THE TANK THE SMELL GOES AWAY. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED MOTOR OFF. THE GARAGE IS SO FILLED WITH GAS FUMES I HAVE TO RUN A FAN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS.

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11317416 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2010
0
2011
0
2012
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20100
20110
20120

2010: 0; 2011: 0; 2012: 0

Year-by-year records

Mercedes-Benz M166 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
201040Not available
2011100
2012100
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

83.3%Usable mileage5 / 6 records
100.0%Valid incident date6 / 6 records
100.0%Valid filing date6 / 6 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 6 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component201020112012
Air Bags
125.0%
ODI 11310310

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE

Look up ODI 11310310 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 11196173 · 12,222 mi

I NEED CAR FIT

Look up ODI 11196173 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Steering
250.0%
ODI 11286569 · 93,000 mi

WHILE COMMUTING ON A HIGHLY CONGESTED HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST POWER CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME LOCKED THIS LOST OF POWER AND DISABLING CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND TAKING MY VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD

Look up ODI 11286569 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 11281662 · 129,105 mi

THIS MODEL HASN!T A TRANSMISSION FLUID MEASUREMENT STICK, BUT EITHER NOT INDICATE AT MONITORING SCREEN IF NEEDS FLUID, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PAN BECOME RUSTED DUE TO LOW MATERIAL QUALITY LEAKING ALL FLUID AND CAUSING SERIOUS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DAMAGES, COSTING OVER US$6000.00 IN REPAIR. I WANT THAT YOU AGENCY OPEN A INVESTIGATION. I HAVE THE OLD PAN TO BE EXANMINATED FOR FAULTY MATERIAL AT ALL VEHICLE OF THAT YEAR AND MODEL.

Look up ODI 11281662 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or Other
125.0%
ODI 11317416 · 75,000 mi

AFTER A FUEL FILL UP THERE IS A SERIOUS GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER USING A QUARTER OF THE TANK THE SMELL GOES AWAY. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED MOTOR OFF. THE GARAGE IS SO FILLED WITH GAS FUMES I HAVE TO RUN A FAN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS.

Look up ODI 11317416 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air BagsToo few reports for a range12,222 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11196173 · 12,222 mi

I NEED CAR FIT

Look up ODI 11196173 at NHTSA ↗

SteeringToo few reports for a range114,500 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 11286569 · 93,000 mi

WHILE COMMUTING ON A HIGHLY CONGESTED HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST POWER CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME LOCKED THIS LOST OF POWER AND DISABLING CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND TAKING MY VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD

Look up ODI 11286569 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11302318 · 136,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK (APPROX. 35 MILES) AND THEN RETURNING AFTER THE WORK DAY WAS COMPLETE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS THE TECHNICIAN THEY DISPATCHED TO OUR LOCATION. WE TRIED MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEM WITH NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON INVESTIGATION, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM HAD GONE BAD RESULTING IN A NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AS WELL AS SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE DEPAR…

Look up ODI 11302318 at NHTSA ↗

Power TrainToo few reports for a range129,105 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11281662 · 129,105 mi

THIS MODEL HASN!T A TRANSMISSION FLUID MEASUREMENT STICK, BUT EITHER NOT INDICATE AT MONITORING SCREEN IF NEEDS FLUID, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PAN BECOME RUSTED DUE TO LOW MATERIAL QUALITY LEAKING ALL FLUID AND CAUSING SERIOUS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DAMAGES, COSTING OVER US$6000.00 IN REPAIR. I WANT THAT YOU AGENCY OPEN A INVESTIGATION. I HAVE THE OLD PAN TO BE EXANMINATED FOR FAULTY MATERIAL AT ALL VEHICLE OF THAT YEAR AND MODEL.

Look up ODI 11281662 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or OtherToo few reports for a range75,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11317416 · 75,000 mi

AFTER A FUEL FILL UP THERE IS A SERIOUS GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER USING A QUARTER OF THE TANK THE SMELL GOES AWAY. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED MOTOR OFF. THE GARAGE IS SO FILLED WITH GAS FUMES I HAVE TO RUN A FAN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS.

Look up ODI 11317416 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2011: 0 complaints · 2012: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2011000
2012000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2011100
2012100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir BagsSteeringPower TrainUnknown Or Other
Air Bags—000
Steering0—00
Power Train00—0
Unknown Or Other000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

4 patterns with matching reports.

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 136,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11302318 · 136,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK (APPROX. 35 MILES) AND THEN RETURNING AFTER THE WORK DAY WAS COMPLETE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS THE TECHNICIAN THEY DISPATCHED TO OUR LOCATION. WE TRIED MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEM WITH NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON INVESTIGATION, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM HAD GONE BAD RESULTING IN A NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AS WELL AS SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE DEPAR…

Look up ODI 11302318 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 75,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11317416 · 75,000 mi

AFTER A FUEL FILL UP THERE IS A SERIOUS GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER USING A QUARTER OF THE TANK THE SMELL GOES AWAY. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED MOTOR OFF. THE GARAGE IS SO FILLED WITH GAS FUMES I HAVE TO RUN A FAN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS.

Look up ODI 11317416 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 93,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11286569 · 93,000 mi

WHILE COMMUTING ON A HIGHLY CONGESTED HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST POWER CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME LOCKED THIS LOST OF POWER AND DISABLING CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND TAKING MY VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD

Look up ODI 11286569 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 136,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11302318 · 136,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK (APPROX. 35 MILES) AND THEN RETURNING AFTER THE WORK DAY WAS COMPLETE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS THE TECHNICIAN THEY DISPATCHED TO OUR LOCATION. WE TRIED MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEM WITH NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON INVESTIGATION, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM HAD GONE BAD RESULTING IN A NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AS WELL AS SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE DEPAR…

Look up ODI 11302318 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b