U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

67 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

71,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 52 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 67 complaints (34.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	25	37.3%
Braking behavior	15	22.4%
Electrical and battery issues	7	10.4%
Transmission and shifting	6	9.0%
Engine operation	4	6.0%
Fuel system concerns	1	1.5%

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.

Steering

Electrical System

Service Brakes

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Air Bags

Engine

Exterior Lighting

Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights

Steering: 23; Electrical System: 13; Service Brakes: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Air Bags: 3; Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 15 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.

2008

2009

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2022

2024

2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2011: 5; 2012: 5; 2013: 7; 2014: 12; 2015: 9; 2016: 8; 2017: 2; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2022: 5; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 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 10231847 · 2008-06-20 (June 20, 2008)

CAR STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. DAUGHTER WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID TREE AND INJURY TO HER AND HER PASSENGER. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231847 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10260437 · 2009-03-02 (March 2, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS MANEUVERING TOO EASILY AND IS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10263214 · 2009-03-27 (March 27, 2009)

IT WAS 6:30 IN THE MORNING AND I WAS PULLING INTO MY GYM'S PARKING LOT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I KEPT PUMPING ON THE BRAKE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AS IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE (AS IF IT WERE RESISTING MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT). EVENTUALLY, AND THANKFULLY BEFORE IT HIT THE BUILDING, THE CAR STALLED TO A STOP. THE CAR ACTUALLY ASCENDED 3 WOODEN PORCH STEPS AND HIT INTO A WOODEN PORCH COLUMN BEFORE STOPPING. IT WAS A VERY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. HAD I PULLED INTO THIS DRIVEWAY MID MORN…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263214 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10393982 · 2011-04-01 (April 1, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET GROUND WIRING CONNECTIONS AS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOCKET WITH AND UPGRADED SOCKET KIT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO UP SHIFT THE GEAR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY INSTALLING UPDA…

Owner-reported narrative. 53,630 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393982 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10576213 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)

ORIGINAL CAR, 2007 ML350,REPLACED WITH A 2008 BY DEALER AFTER MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, 2008 MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY,2008 THESE CARS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM IN TO SPRING OF 2008,.CARS AT THAT TIME CONSIDERED WORST USED CAR IN CONSUMER GUIDE.. INTERNET SHOWS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM SEVERAL CUSTOMERS. NOT ABLE TO MAKE CONTACTS WITH THE HEAD OFFICE, WARRANTY GONE BECAUSE OF TIME,2008 HAS SAME PROBLEMS AS 2007, CAR HAS BEEN IN GARAGE MORE TIME THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT, AIR BAGS ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN NO RAIN, B…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10576213 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258143 · 2009-02-09 (February 9, 2009)

MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 2008 WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER PUT THE CAR INTO PARK TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT. DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE. DRIVER OPENED THE BACK SEAT DOOR AND VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 31/2 FEET. DURING THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE DRIVERS FEET WERE RUN OVER BY VEHICLE AN PINNED UNDER LEFT BACK TIRE. 911 WAS CALLED POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED TO JACK UP CAR AND PULL DRIVER OUT FROM UNDER THE TIRE. PARAMEDICS ATTENDED AND DRIVER W…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258143 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10442214 · 2012-01-03 (January 3, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442214 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

77.6%Usable mileage52 / 67 records

100.0%Valid incident date67 / 67 records

100.0%Valid filing date67 / 67 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates67 / 67 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2001	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	416.0% ODI 10252047 · 24,500 mi MY FAMILY OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY MOM NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE BELIEVED ONE OF THE MECHANICS BURNT IT WITH A TOOL DURING THE CAR'S SERVICE. SO THIS BURN MARK WAS IGNORED. ON DEC. 13, 2008 AROUND 8:20 AM, MY MOM, WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE AND A SMALL FIRE FROM THE SIDE OF HER SEAT. SHE COULD NOT HAVE PULLED OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. SHE TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THEN SHE PUT IT OUT WITH A TOWEL SHE WAS SITTING ON, IT TOO WAS BURNT, BUT PREVENTED MY MOMS LEG … Look up ODI 10252047 at NHTSA ↗	411.4% ODI 10165343 THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWSUIT TO REPLACE MY 04 ML 350 ON THE BASIS OF SAFETY. THE ENGINE FAILED 18 TIMES ON THE ROAD (IN ADDITION TO ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS). WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA USA--2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 - LIST PROBLEMS AND MUCH TIME SPENT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT… Look up ODI 10165343 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2816.3% ODI 10149348 · 11,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ONE CUP OF WATER IN A BAG IN THE CARGO AREA. THE WATER SPILLED ONTO THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SYSTEM AND THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. Look up ODI 10149348 at NHTSA ↗	1821.7% ODI 10322740 · 33,000 mi 2007 ML350 DRIVER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT CAUSES FIRE WHILE CHILDREN IN CAR. *CN Look up ODI 10322740 at NHTSA ↗	1319.4% ODI 10554313 · 112,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1… Look up ODI 10554313 at NHTSA ↗	1617.2% ODI 10534063 · 95,000 mi THE BACK HATCH ON MY 2009 MERCEDES ML350 WOULD NOT OPEN USING THE ELECTRONIC KEY OR THE DRIVER BUTTON IN THE DOOR. THERE WAS A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OPENING, BUT THE LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE THE DOOR. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY BATTERY WOULD SUDDENLY BE DEAD. I ASSUMED I MUST HAVE LEFT A LIGHT ON. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I SAW A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT I REALIZED THAT MY UNOPENED HATCH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY AT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $300. MERCEDES BATTERIES ARE EXTREMELY EXP… Look up ODI 10534063 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	936.0% ODI 10261473 · 29,000 mi MY 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE, [email removed], 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: [phone removed], FAX: [phone removed]) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEMS, FOUND THAT 'VERIFIED NOISE, INSTALLED ELECTRONIC EARS, TO ISOLATE NOISE FOUND NOISE FROM INSIDE OF STEERING PACK ASSEMBLY,' AND INSPECTION FEE WAS $152.60, SUGGESTING REPAIR WAS TO REPLACING THE GEARI… Look up ODI 10261473 at NHTSA ↗	617.1% ODI 10256705 · 61,000 mi A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY SUV. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY LOST OF POWER STEERING FLUID UNTIL I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND I LATER CHECK THE AREA WHERE I HAD PARKED THE NIGHT BEFORE. I PARKED MY VEHICLE UNTIL I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON THE OTHER ML320, 2001 THAT I GOT RID OF THREE YEARS AGO. *TR Look up ODI 10256705 at NHTSA ↗	626.1% ODI 10258928 · 100,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES AT APPROXIMATELY 57 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCKED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, BUT WAS HEADED TOWARDS A CEMENT BARRIER BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS INOPERABLE. SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANI… Look up ODI 10258928 at NHTSA ↗	137.6% ODI 10384231 · 60,000 mi STEERING WHEELS RATTLES AND MAKE GROANING NOISE WHEN TURNING OR HITTING BUMPS. CAN DISTRACT DRIVERS AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR Look up ODI 10384231 at NHTSA ↗	89.6% ODI 10269386 · 14,000 mi 2007 MERCEDES ML 350: POOR DESIGN OF SHIFT LEVER, LOCATED ON STEERING COLUMN PUSH UP FOR REVERSE, PUSH DOWN FOR DRIVE, PUSH IN FOR PARK (WHEN DOING SO SYSTEM MAKES NEAR INAUDIBLE SOUND.) MY WIFE PUT CAR IN PARK, GOT OUT CAR ROLLED IN REVERSE CAUGHT HER LEG AND DRAGGED HER UNDER, CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL BACK AND CRUSHED HER LEFT LEG, MBENZ SAID TOO BAD BE MORE CAREFUL THIS IS A DESIGN FAULT DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. MBENZ TOLD ME ALL OF THEIR MODELS ARE BEING CHANGED TO THIS DESIGN TO KEEP COFFEE ETC FROM SPILLING FROM CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS IN… Look up ODI 10269386 at NHTSA ↗	2334.3% ODI 10260437 · 8,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS MANEUVERING TOO EASILY AND IS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. Look up ODI 10260437 at NHTSA ↗	11.1% ODI 11686279 · 90,000 mi The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel locked. The battery warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Look up ODI 11686279 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	514.3% ODI 10206819 · 54,000 mi 2004 ML 350 HAD SRS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH THAT DID NOT GO OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THIS COULD RESULT IN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT, OR UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD A SEAT RECOGNITION SENSOR WAS REQUIRED FOR $752. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A FAILURE OF A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL, AND PLACE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AT RISK, AFTER ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OF OPERATION. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND TEST AND REPLACE THE SENS… Look up ODI 10206819 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	95.2% ODI 10170806 · 1,220 mi LEASED VEHICLE FROM MERCEDES BENZ OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, ON FRIDAY 10/13/06 SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED IN RED, AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. CONTACTED DEALERS SERVICE ON 10/13/06, FRIDAY, SAME STATED, UPON MY INQUIRY, VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, AND TO BRING IT IN ON TUESDAY 10/17/06, FOR ITS' SCHEDULED FIRST APPOINTMENT AT 8:00 A.M.. UPON REVIEWING THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR THE ML350, SAME DISCLOSED ON PAGE 407, "IN THE EVENT A MALFUNCTION OF THE SRS IS INDICATED AS OUTLINED ABOVE, THE SRS MAY NOT BE OPERATIONAL. FOR YOUR … Look up ODI 10170806 at NHTSA ↗	22.4% ODI 10667045 TOO ALL THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT MY COMPLIANT IS I BOUGHT THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE FROM THE RICHMOND VA CARMAX AND HAS BEEN BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN SPOKE WITH THE STORE MANAGER [XXX] AND THE REGION MANAGER WHOM WAS VERY NASTY TO BE ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND TO HAVE ME KEEP COMING BACK OVER 5 TIMES IN JUST TWO MONTHS AND STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I RECENTLY SAW THE SPECIAL THAT 60 MINUTES HAD ABOUT YOUR FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES FROM YOUR. I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT PERFORMING FOR THE MONEY … Look up ODI 10667045 at NHTSA ↗	34.5% ODI 10548603 · 72,000 mi WHILE PARKING MY CAR, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS, IT SUDDENLY, AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A PARKED CAR AND CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD LOCATED ABOUT 12 YARDS OR SO AWAY, SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR, SIDE OF THE CAR, AND CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO BE RELEASED. THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE THAT AUTOMATICALLY OCCURRED. I SUFFERED BRUISES IN THE FOREHEAD AND RIGHT HAND, AND LACERATION OF THE LEFT KNEE. Look up ODI 10548603 at NHTSA ↗	4043.0% ODI 10897342 · 80,000 mi RECEIVED LETTER IN MAY 2016 REGARDING THE AIR BAG RECALL 16V-081. STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED ON WHERE OR WHEN TO GET IT FIXED. Look up ODI 10897342 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.9% ODI 10850280 · 165,000 mi TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS Look up ODI 10850280 at NHTSA ↗	28.7% ODI 10424590 · 60,000 mi BOUGHT THE 2005 ML350 USED LAST SUMMER (2010). IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPED, THE ACCELERATION SEEMED TO DROP LOW ENOUGH TO MAKE THE VEHICLE STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEAR. ALSO, WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WILL STALL AND I WILL HAVE TO KEEP RETRYING TO START IT AND PRESS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO GET IT TO FINALLY START. (ONLY USE THE RECOMMENDED OCTANE SUG… Look up ODI 10424590 at NHTSA ↗	3319.2% ODI 10255567 · 78,000 mi 2006 MERCEDES ML350. UPON TURNING 78K MILES A CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR APPEARED. UPON EXAMINATION A SPROCKET IN THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY WAS WORN AND IN DANGER OF FAILURE. WITHIN ONE DAY - AND WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT - I FOUND TWO OTHERS WITH THE SAME MOTOR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCEDES PRIDES ITSELF ON EXCELLENT ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING AND CHARGED ME $50K FOR SUCH EXCELLENCE. WITH THIS KIND OF MILEAGE THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF MACHINERY. APPARENTLY MB AGREED. UPON WORKING WITH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP MB PAID 50% OF THE B… Look up ODI 10255567 at NHTSA ↗	1416.9% ODI 10410715 · 55,905 mi MINOR ACCIDENT IN LA, CAR TAKEN TO M-B OF CALABASAS THEY RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION SERVICE. 12 DAYS LATER, CAR WAS PARKED, PUT IN PARK, ENGINE TURNED OFF, OWNER/PASSENGER IN CAR, DRIVER LEFT VEHICLE. CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS, HIT A SOFT SPOT IN GRAVEL, ROLLED OVER TWICE DOWN STEEP EMBANKMENT, STOPPED AGAINST A TREE. PASSENGER NOTICED CAR WAS IN PARK, UNBUCKLED HER SEAT BELT TO ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE, TOO LATE. RIGHT HAND, SHOULDER AND BACK INJURED. CAR TOWED TO M-B OF WILSONVILLE. THEY SAID IT WAS TOTALED. REGIONAL MANAGER SAW CAR. … Look up ODI 10410715 at NHTSA ↗	23.0% ODI 10553143 · 58,800 mi ATM AT BANK WAS NOT OPERATING AND WAS GOING INSIDE BANK, AT REGIONS BANK IN HENDERSONVILLE TN. WHEN CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THAT COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKING. THE RESULT BEING,HITTING TWO CARS, WHEN TRYING TO GO BETWEEN THEM, THEN STILL COULDN'T STOP UNTIL NOSE DIVE IN ROCK LINED FOUR FOOT DITCH . *TR Look up ODI 10553143 at NHTSA ↗	11.1% ODI 10578492 · 61,590 mi AS I WAS GETTING READY TO SHIFT THE GEAR LEVER TO DRIVE THE LEVER SHEARED OFF AND I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE CONTROL OF SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO ANY OTHER POSITION SUCH AS (P/N/R). I STOP THE CAR AS A SAFETY CONCERN AND LOOKED AT THE BROKEN GEAR SHIFT LEVER AND IT APPEAR TO BE SHEARED OFF THE WEAKEST AREA OF THE LEVER OR WHERE THE SHIFTING LOAD TAKES PLACE. CAR STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY WITH THE EXCUSE EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO SHIFT WHICH CAUSE THE LEVER TO BRAKE. I AM SURE THE IS A MATERIAL DEFECTS AND FA… Look up ODI 10578492 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	312.0% ODI 10249773 · 51,400 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNING. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR HIS WALLET IN HIS BACKPOCKET, HIS PANTS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNED THROUGH HIS LEATHER SEATS. THE CONTACT SEARCHED THE INTERNET, BUT FOUND NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,400. Look up ODI 10249773 at NHTSA ↗	411.4% ODI 10253406 · 73,000 mi I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES ML350 SUV AND I TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND IT GOT SO HOT THAT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT BURNED SO HOT THAT I HAD TO MOVE MY BODY AND WEIGHT TO MY RIGHT SIDE BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE YOU WERE SITTING ON COALS - EVEN THROUGH THE LEATHER INTERIOR. I DID NOT USE IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE WEATHER WAS NOT THAT COLD. THE NEXT PERSON TO USE IT WAS MY MOTHER. SHE WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND I WAS NEXT TO HER AND SHE TURNED ON HER SEAT HEATER AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES SHE SCREAMED BECAUSE THE HEAT OF THE SEAT HEATER WAS SO… Look up ODI 10253406 at NHTSA ↗	313.0% ODI 10425557 · 32,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AND SUDDENLY THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A SEVERE BURNING SENSATION DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAMES EMITTING FROM THE TOP OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. IMMEDIATELY, ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED AND THE FLAMES WERE SMOTHERED BY AND INDIVIDUAL WHO USED THEIR HANDS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR BURNS TO HIS BACK AND T… Look up ODI 10425557 at NHTSA ↗	148.1% ODI 10361642 · 91,000 mi 2006 MERCEDES ML350 AT 91,100 MILES DRIVER SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND LATER FOUND A BURNED HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, DRIVER NOTICED SMELL WHEN SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON. DEALERSHIP IS REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS ISN'T NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS SHOULD THE SEAT CATCH A FLAME. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *TR Look up ODI 10361642 at NHTSA ↗	2226.5% ODI 10228723 · 24,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES ML350. WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, SHE SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SMOKE DISTRACTED HER AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE ARRIVED. A REPORT WAS FILED AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DUE TO THE HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RIS… Look up ODI 10228723 at NHTSA ↗	34.5% ODI 10428906 AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY SEAT, MY SHIRT, AND MY PANTS. I SAW A SMALL FLAME AND FELT A BURNING ON MY BACK AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. *TR Look up ODI 10428906 at NHTSA ↗	11.1% ODI 10937267 · 31,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING, A BURNING RUBBER ODOR AND SMOKE WERE PRESENT UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND, WITHIN MOMENTS, FLAMES COMPLETELY ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. Look up ODI 10937267 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	28.0% ODI 10761160 · 97,000 mi WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT. I FEAR DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN IT SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AT ONE POINT AND THEY HAVEN'T ADDRSSED IT. I'VE SPENT $4500 TO REPAIR AND THEY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND I'M NOT CERTAIN THEY K… Look up ODI 10761160 at NHTSA ↗	25.7% ODI 10684301 · 117,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. Look up ODI 10684301 at NHTSA ↗	14.3% ODI 10873704 · 95,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ODOR OF SMOKE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DARK SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH FLAMES THAT CAME FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. Look up ODI 10873704 at NHTSA ↗	3620.9% ODI 10523113 · 109,458 mi MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 24 JUNE 2013 OR SO. I CONTACTED ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS, MY LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON 2 JULY, AND THE REPORT INDICATED MY BALANCE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($5,100), MY POWER STEERING COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($3,067.50), AND MY TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($1,812.95). I HAVE BEEN THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AT MB DEALERSHIPS (CRITZ - SAVANNAH, GA AND ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS - DULUTH, GA). PREVIOUSLY, THI… Look up ODI 10523113 at NHTSA ↗	56.0% ODI 10519639 · 41,500 mi CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON: CODE 0060 = CONTINUOUS CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT ( RIGHT ) : INCORRECT POSITION OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ( P000B ). *TR Look up ODI 10519639 at NHTSA ↗	34.5% ODI 10607448 · 87,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. Look up ODI 10607448 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	25.7% ODI 10525310 · 50,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET, I NOTICED THAT BRAKES HAD STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED THAT A CORRODED BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I HAD CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODING IN THE AREA CLOSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR BRAKE LINES TO CORRODE AND LEAK. I HAVE NOT NOTICED CORROSION ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR, EXCEPT THE BRAKE LIN… Look up ODI 10525310 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	127.0% ODI 10504661 · 90,000 mi TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. KMJ *TR Look up ODI 10504661 at NHTSA ↗	44.8% ODI 10925447 · 44,415 mi REVERSE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT SLOW SPEED THEN STOPPED. ON DRIVE POSITION, VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AT SAME SITUATION ABOUT SAME TIME.THEN AT THE FREEWAY, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED AND HIT A BIG-RIG TRUCK. NO WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON. I PRESSED FOOT PEDAL HARD BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CONTINUED ROLLING UNTIL IT REAR ENDED THE TRUCK. LUCKILY OUR SPEED WAS 0-5 MPH AND NO INJURY TO MY 2 PASSENGERS. CHP ASSISTED US. VEHICLE WAS NORMAL WHEN PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD … Look up ODI 10925447 at NHTSA ↗	46.0% ODI 10553143 · 58,800 mi ATM AT BANK WAS NOT OPERATING AND WAS GOING INSIDE BANK, AT REGIONS BANK IN HENDERSONVILLE TN. WHEN CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THAT COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKING. THE RESULT BEING,HITTING TWO CARS, WHEN TRYING TO GO BETWEEN THEM, THEN STILL COULDN'T STOP UNTIL NOSE DIVE IN ROCK LINED FOUR FOOT DITCH . *TR Look up ODI 10553143 at NHTSA ↗	44.3% ODI 11032925 · 114,000 mi MY REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT I LOST MY BRAKES. THE FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT. THE CAR IS NOT RUSTING OR SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST OR CORROSION. ONLY THE ACTUAL BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED. IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. THE LINES SHOULD HAVE HAD A PROTECTIVE COATING OR BEEN COVERED IN THE EXPOSED AREA TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE POINT THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THRU AND THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S BRAKING ABILITY. THIS HAPPENED WHILE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC SO LUCKILY NOBODY GOT HURT BUT IF I WAS AT A HIGH RATE OF S… Look up ODI 11032925 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	28.0% ODI 10229634 · 93,000 mi I OWN A MERCEDES ML 350 2003; WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK THIS MORNING THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING, BECAME DISABLED AND STEERING, BECAME IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR SLOWED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROAD WITH SPEED LIMITS UP TO 40 MPH AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR INTO THE SHOULDER CREATING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. EVENTUALLY THE CAR COASTED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND ALL LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS INITIALLY A KEY FAILURE IN WHICH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE … Look up ODI 10229634 at NHTSA ↗	25.7% ODI 10166340 · 24,695 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING A DOWNHILL BRAKING SITUATION, THERE WAS A HESITATION BETWEEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. THE HESITATION LASTED BETWEEN 2 AND 3 SECONDS, AND THERE WAS NO RPM INCREASE DURING THAT PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT THE TIME. Look up ODI 10166340 at NHTSA ↗	417.4% ODI 10228584 · 14,000 mi I HAVE A 2005 MERCEDES ML350 I BOUGHT IN 2006 SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR DYING. ONCE WHEN I WAS TURNING IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WITH MY LITTLE BABY DAUGHTER WE ALMOST GOT HIT CAUSE THE CAR DIED OUT ON ME. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES IN FACT IT IS IN THERE NOW FOR THE SAME THING AND THEY CANNOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE MANAGER OF THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS THAT OWN THOSE CARS. HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THE CAR DIES IT DOES NOT REGISTER… Look up ODI 10228584 at NHTSA ↗	116.4% ODI 10235151 · 23,000 mi TL*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 … Look up ODI 10235151 at NHTSA ↗	56.0% ODI 10231843 · 3,245 mi CAR STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE IS NO COMPUTER RECORD THAT THE DEALER CAN FIND ON THE CAR TO CONFIRM ANY FAILURE BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WITH DIFFERENT DRIVERS. *TR Look up ODI 10231843 at NHTSA ↗	11.5% ODI 10231847 · 2,300 mi CAR STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. DAUGHTER WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID TREE AND INJURY TO HER AND HER PASSENGER. *TR Look up ODI 10231847 at NHTSA ↗	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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Steering	50,800–78,500 mi	56,000 mi	19	ODI 10260437 · 8,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS MANEUVERING TOO EASILY AND IS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. Look up ODI 10260437 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10428806 · 54,000 mi WE TOOK THE 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 IN TO A LOCAL MB DEALER FOR A SCHEDULE A SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND ASKED THAT AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AXEL BE INSPECTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT VALVE ASSEMBLY REPLACED. WE CALLED A LOCAL SHOP TO GET A SECOND QUOTE FOR THE WORK AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULDN'T QUOTE US OR TOUCH IT BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE MODEL AND YEAR -- NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 08V682000. WE CALLED MB BACK, AND THEY TOLD US OUR VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WE COU… Look up ODI 10428806 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10442214 · 51,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. Look up ODI 10442214 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	96,563–112,083 mi	107,500 mi	10	ODI 10554313 · 112,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1… Look up ODI 10554313 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10619410 · 133,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE SPARE TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS A RED LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PASSENGER DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT GASKET AND CONTROL UNIT SAM MODULE WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON THE VEHICL… Look up ODI 10619410 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	58,800 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10553143 · 58,800 mi ATM AT BANK WAS NOT OPERATING AND WAS GOING INSIDE BANK, AT REGIONS BANK IN HENDERSONVILLE TN. WHEN CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THAT COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKING. THE RESULT BEING,HITTING TWO CARS, WHEN TRYING TO GO BETWEEN THEM, THEN STILL COULDN'T STOP UNTIL NOSE DIVE IN ROCK LINED FOUR FOOT DITCH . TR Look up ODI 10553143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10703825 · 101,250 mi MY ML350 KEPT BLOWING IT'S BRAKE LIGHTS. AFTER AWHILE OF THIS I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS OBVIOUSLY WRONG. AT THIS POINT BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT IN TO FIND THAT THE SOCKETS WERE BURNT OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE WIRING ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD A FIX FOR IT ALL BUT AT A PRICE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE C SERIES HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY ARE THERE NO RECALL FOR THE ML OR THE M SERIES? TR Look up ODI 10703825 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	72,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10548603 · 72,000 mi WHILE PARKING MY CAR, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS, IT SUDDENLY, AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A PARKED CAR AND CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD LOCATED ABOUT 12 YARDS OR SO AWAY, SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR, SIDE OF THE CAR, AND CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO BE RELEASED. THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE THAT AUTOMATICALLY OCCURRED. I SUFFERED BRUISES IN THE FOREHEAD AND RIGHT HAND, AND LACERATION OF THE LEFT KNEE. Look up ODI 10548603 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10616426 · 128,000 mi MERCEDES ML350 WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, FRONT END DROVE STRAIGHT INTO WOODED AREA STRIKING A TREE JUST RIGHT OF DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP WITH SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BUMPER AND HOOD PUSHING INTO RADIATOR...DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED...BOTH SIDE CURTAIN BAGS DEPLOYED...LUCKILY WITH LOW SPEED AND SEAT BELT ON DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED... *TR Look up ODI 10616426 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	104,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10607448 · 87,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. Look up ODI 10607448 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11011627 · 121,000 mi MONDAY MORNING, JULY 24, 2017 THERE WERE TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS IN THE EARLY MORNING LEAVING LOTS OF STANDING WATER ON ROADWAYS. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND GOING THROUGH STANDING WATER ON ROADWAYS, CAR LOST POWER AND THEN ENGINE STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND CAME TO A SAFE RESTING PLACE. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS STRANDED WITH AN INOPERATIVE VEHICLE. Look up ODI 11011627 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	81,815 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10393982 · 53,630 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET GROUND WIRING CONNECTIONS AS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOCKET WITH AND UPGRADED SOCKET KIT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO UP SHIFT THE GEAR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY INSTALLING UPDA… Look up ODI 10393982 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11115405 · 110,000 mi DUE TO A FAULTY RIGHT TAILLAMP SEAL, WATER GOT INTO A CONTROL MODULE AND DAMAGED IT BEYOND REPAIR. I WOKE UP AND WALKED OUTSIDE TO SEE MY HEADLIGHTS FLASHING AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION MY KEY FOB NOT WORKING, SRS DISABLED, AND MANY OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DISABLED. SOME TIME BEFORE THIS, THE MOTOR TO THE REAR HATCH STOPPED WORKING, POSSIBLY FOR THE SAME REASON. Look up ODI 11115405 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights	Too few reports for a range	78,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10730118 · 78,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED BLINKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE SYSTEM MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SEIZED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ALSO FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REMOVING THE SPARE TIRE, THERE WAS WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT AS WELL IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND ON THE TAIL GATE MODEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING FROM THE SEAL … Look up ODI 10730118 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10817018 · 128,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEAL. THERE WERE FOUR INCHES OF WATER WITHIN THE SPARE TIRE HOUSING AND THE POWER LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY SUBMERGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. TH… Look up ODI 10817018 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10882967 · 23,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE SEAL OF THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V076000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE… Look up ODI 10882967 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2008: 5 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2008	3	5	5
2009	0	0	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2008	67	0	0
2009	93	0	0

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
Component	Steering	Electrical System	Service Brakes	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Air Bags	Engine	Exterior Lighting	Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Steering	—	2 ODI 10576213 ORIGINAL CAR, 2007 ML350,REPLACED WITH A 2008 BY DEALER AFTER MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, 2008 MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY,2008 THESE CARS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM IN TO SPRING OF 2008,.CARS AT THAT TIME CONSIDERED WORST USED CAR IN CONSUMER GUIDE.. INTERNET SHOWS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM SEVERAL CUSTOMERS. NOT ABLE TO MAKE CONTACTS WITH THE HEAD OFFICE, WARRANTY GONE BECAUSE OF TIME,2008 HAS SAME PROBLEMS AS 2007, CAR HAS BEEN IN GARAGE MORE TIME THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT, AIR BAGS ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN NO RAIN, B… Look up ODI 10576213 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Electrical System	2 ODI 10576213 ORIGINAL CAR, 2007 ML350,REPLACED WITH A 2008 BY DEALER AFTER MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, 2008 MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY,2008 THESE CARS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM IN TO SPRING OF 2008,.CARS AT THAT TIME CONSIDERED WORST USED CAR IN CONSUMER GUIDE.. INTERNET SHOWS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM SEVERAL CUSTOMERS. NOT ABLE TO MAKE CONTACTS WITH THE HEAD OFFICE, WARRANTY GONE BECAUSE OF TIME,2008 HAS SAME PROBLEMS AS 2007, CAR HAS BEEN IN GARAGE MORE TIME THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT, AIR BAGS ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN NO RAIN, B… Look up ODI 10576213 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	—	3 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10703825 · 101,250 mi MY ML350 KEPT BLOWING IT'S BRAKE LIGHTS. AFTER AWHILE OF THIS I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS OBVIOUSLY WRONG. AT THIS POINT BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT IN TO FIND THAT THE SOCKETS WERE BURNT OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE WIRING ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD A FIX FOR IT ALL BUT AT A PRICE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE C SERIES HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY ARE THERE NO RECALL FOR THE ML OR THE M SERIES? *TR Look up ODI 10703825 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11218579 FAULTY WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WIRING COMMONLY ARCS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. MERCEDES HAS OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ADDRESS IT ON THE ML350'S. THEY EVEN MADE A PART TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEMAND CAR OWNERS PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MERCEDES FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. Look up ODI 11218579 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 11115405 · 110,000 mi DUE TO A FAULTY RIGHT TAILLAMP SEAL, WATER GOT INTO A CONTROL MODULE AND DAMAGED IT BEYOND REPAIR. I WOKE UP AND WALKED OUTSIDE TO SEE MY HEADLIGHTS FLASHING AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION MY KEY FOB NOT WORKING, SRS DISABLED, AND MANY OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DISABLED. SOME TIME BEFORE THIS, THE MOTOR TO THE REAR HATCH STOPPED WORKING, POSSIBLY FOR THE SAME REASON. Look up ODI 11115405 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11218579 FAULTY WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WIRING COMMONLY ARCS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. MERCEDES HAS OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ADDRESS IT ON THE ML350'S. THEY EVEN MADE A PART TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEMAND CAR OWNERS PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MERCEDES FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. Look up ODI 11218579 at NHTSA ↗	0
Service Brakes	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10703825 · 101,250 mi MY ML350 KEPT BLOWING IT'S BRAKE LIGHTS. AFTER AWHILE OF THIS I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS OBVIOUSLY WRONG. AT THIS POINT BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT IN TO FIND THAT THE SOCKETS WERE BURNT OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE WIRING ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD A FIX FOR IT ALL BUT AT A PRICE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE C SERIES HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY ARE THERE NO RECALL FOR THE ML OR THE M SERIES? *TR Look up ODI 10703825 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11218579 FAULTY WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WIRING COMMONLY ARCS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. MERCEDES HAS OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ADDRESS IT ON THE ML350'S. THEY EVEN MADE A PART TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEMAND CAR OWNERS PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MERCEDES FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. Look up ODI 11218579 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 11218579 FAULTY WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WIRING COMMONLY ARCS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. MERCEDES HAS OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ADDRESS IT ON THE ML350'S. THEY EVEN MADE A PART TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEMAND CAR OWNERS PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MERCEDES FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. Look up ODI 11218579 at NHTSA ↗	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE… Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0
Engine	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Exterior Lighting	0	2 ODI 11115405 · 110,000 mi DUE TO A FAULTY RIGHT TAILLAMP SEAL, WATER GOT INTO A CONTROL MODULE AND DAMAGED IT BEYOND REPAIR. I WOKE UP AND WALKED OUTSIDE TO SEE MY HEADLIGHTS FLASHING AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION MY KEY FOB NOT WORKING, SRS DISABLED, AND MANY OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DISABLED. SOME TIME BEFORE THIS, THE MOTOR TO THE REAR HATCH STOPPED WORKING, POSSIBLY FOR THE SAME REASON. Look up ODI 11115405 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11218579 FAULTY WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WIRING COMMONLY ARCS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. MERCEDES HAS OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ADDRESS IT ON THE ML350'S. THEY EVEN MADE A PART TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEMAND CAR OWNERS PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MERCEDES FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. Look up ODI 11218579 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11218579 FAULTY WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WIRING COMMONLY ARCS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. MERCEDES HAS OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ADDRESS IT ON THE ML350'S. THEY EVEN MADE A PART TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEMAND CAR OWNERS PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MERCEDES FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM. Look up ODI 11218579 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

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.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

9 mentions · 13.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 53,883 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10231847 · 2,300 mi

Look up ODI 10231847 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10586374 · 51,765 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID MY POWER STEERING FLUID WAS EMPTY AND I HAD A LEAK. I DECIDED TO MAKE A APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED MY POWER STEERING RACK HEAD RESEALED. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MERCEDES NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS BESIDES MINE LISTED ON HERE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE SUCH SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS BRAND AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE, ITS RIDICULOUS. *TR

Look up ODI 10586374 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10629141 · 56,000 mi

LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE…

Look up ODI 10629141 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 7.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 50,600 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10231847 · 2,300 mi

Look up ODI 10231847 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10263214 · 12,000 mi

Look up ODI 10263214 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10653784 · 50,600 mi

LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID RESULTING IN DIMINISHED OR TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THOUGH TOTAL LOSS DID NOT HAPPEN YET, THIS COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. 1998-2004 CLASS WAS RECALLED FOR THAT VERY REASON; WHY NOT THE MODEL YEARS THEREAFTER THAT HAVE SAME PROBLEM; LIKELY IN SAME FREQUENCY. *TR

Look up ODI 10653784 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 20,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10458628 · 20,000 mi

MARCH 2011, I WAS HEADING HOME. I WAS TALKING ON THE HANDS FREE PHONE SYSTEM, AND IMMEDIATELY I FELT A JERK AND HEARD A NOISE. I LOOKED AT THE CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE PANEL READ "N" NEUTRAL INSTEAD OF "D" DRIVE. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED INTO NEURAL ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH!!!! AT THIS POINT I AM IN THE FAST LANE AND HYSTERICAL. I PRESSED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE SPEED DECREASED TO 40MPH AND CARS ARE NOW RACING PAST AND BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, A POLICE OFFICER SPOTTED ME AND PHYSICALLY HIT MY CAR AND MOVED IT OVER TO TH…

Look up ODI 10458628 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10640346

THE ORIGINAL SYMPTOMS WERE THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO GET JERKY (FLAT SPOTS) MEANING THERE WAS POWER ASSIST FROM 12 O'CLOCK TO 2 O'CLOCK, THEN HARD EFFORT FROM 2 -4 O'CLOCK AND SO ON. IT INITIALLY WAS DRIVABLE BUT AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MORE MILES IT HAS BECOME DANGEROUS, AS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT MUST BE USED WHEN TURNING, THEN GETS EASY, THEN TIGHT. I HAVE CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO FLUID LEAKS AND THE RESERVOIR IS FULL. MY MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT, AND HE SAID IT APPEARED THAT THE STEERING RACK IS BAD. HE RECOMMENDED WE FLUSH AND CHANGE …

Look up ODI 10640346 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 94,250 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10619410 · 133,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE SPARE TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS A RED LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PASSENGER DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT GASKET AND CONTROL UNIT SAM MODULE WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON THE VEHICL…

Look up ODI 10619410 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10744595 · 55,000 mi

ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLES CAMSHAFT SOLENOID SYSTEM. ANNUALLY I HAVE THIS ISSUE. WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT ONCE A YEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I AM BEING TOLD BY REPAIR SPECIALISTS THAT THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID MUST BE REPLACED. I REPLACE THEM AND THE NEXT YEAR I HAVE THE SAME CHALLENGE. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT MERCEDES HAS YET TO DO A RECALL ON THIS AS I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH ALL OF THEIR VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

Look up ODI 10744595 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 1.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 51,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10442214 · 51,000 mi

Look up ODI 10442214 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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