U.S. public vehicle records

2007 Mercedes Benz ML500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

9 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

123,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2007 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seats is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 9 complaints (55.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	1	11.1%
Electrical and battery issues	1	11.1%
Steering behavior	1	11.1%

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.

Seats

Unknown Or Other

Electrical System

Service Brakes

Steering

Seats: 5; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Steering: 1

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

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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.

2010

2011

2015

2016

2017

2018

2021

2023

2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Seats leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10339102 · 2010-06-19 (June 19, 2010)

WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 ML 500 SUV, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICALLY INDUCED SMOLDERING FIRE. THE HEAT SOURCE BURNED A DIME SIZED HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR AND MY SKIN STARTED TO BURN RIGHT THROUGH MY CLOTHES. THINKING MY CLOTHES MIGHT BURST INTO FLAMES, I IMMEDIATELY CAME TO A STOP AND SAFELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN MOMENTS LATER TURNED OFF THE CAR. THANKFULLY MY CLOTHES DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND I WAS NOT IN BUSY TRAFFIC OR THIS MIGHT HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY. IF THI…

Owner-reported narrative. 38,735 miles reported. Look up ODI 10339102 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10378769 · 2011-01-26 (January 26, 2011)

I OWNED A 2007 MERCEDES ML500, THE REASON I DON'T OWN THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER IS BECAUSE IT BURNT UP IN MY PARKING LOT OUTSIDE OF MY OFFICE. THE EVENING BEFORE THE FIRE I HAD DINNER OUT AND WHEN I WENT TO UNLOCK MY CAR DOORS, THE RIGHT BLINKER LIGHT FLICKERED AND REMAINED ON. AS I GOT INTO THE CAR THE SOUND OF THE BLINKER WAS VERY QUICK AND I TURNED IT OFF BUT REALIZED THEN THAT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I MADE AN APPOINTMENT T GET THOSE FIXED, IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED. ONE OF…

Owner-reported narrative. 32,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378769 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10809201 · 2015-12-09 (December 9, 2015)

ON NOVEMBER 22, 2015 I TURNED ON MY HEATED SEAT AS I WAS EXITING A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN I GOT ON THE MAJOR CITY STREET I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I FELT SOMETHING REALLY HOT ON MY BACK SO I JUMPED IN MY SEAT AND READJUSTED MY TOP, I FELT THE HEAT ON MY BACK AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS HOTTER. I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND TURNED AROUND TO LOOK AT THE SEAT AND COULD SEE FIRE BURNING A HOLE THRU THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED PATTING THE SEAT TO STOP THE FIRE FROM SPREADING AND THEN TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT CONTROL. I CALLED …

Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809201 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10909481 · 2016-09-24 (September 24, 2016)

MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN.

Owner-reported narrative. 59,175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10918644 · 2016-10-24 (October 24, 2016)

I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR HAD A RECALL IN FEBRUARY AND THE LOCAL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP HAS JUST GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT GETTING A WELDER TO COME DO THE JOB. THEY HAVE NOT GOT BACK TO ME ABOUT GETTING A WELDER TO COME AND I FEEL LIKE IF IT'S A SAFETY RECALL THAT THEY SHOULD GET ON THE BALL TO GET THE VEHICLE UP TO CALL. THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME THE RUNAROUND WHEN THEY TOOK MY MONEY FOR REPAIRS THEY DID TO MY CAR.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10918644 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10958297 · 2017-03-02 (March 2, 2017)

I GOT INTO MY CAR AND TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER. AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD SMELL SMOKE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LOWER BACK. I REACHED MY LEFT HAND BEHIND ME TO CHECK AND FELT SOMETHING HOT, WHEN I PULLED MY HAND OUT MY FINGER TIPS WERE COVERED IN MELTED LEATHER. THE SMOKE BY THEN INCREASED, I SHUT THE SEAT WARMER OFF AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 123,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958297 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11156351 · 2018-12-05 (December 5, 2018)

I HAD MY HEATED SEAT ON THE MEDIUM SETTING. WHILE ON MY SHORT COMMUTE TO WORK (ABOUT 8 MINUTES) THIS MORNING MY DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER AND MELTED PART OF MY CLOTHING.

Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11156351 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11434025 · 2021-09-23 (September 23, 2021)

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes Benz ML500. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving, the front and back seat warmers were operating and the driver noticed smoke. The contact mentioned there was a smoke odor and noticed the front driver seat caught on fire. The contact stated that the driver extinguished the fire with his clothes by smothering the seat. In addition, there was a hole in the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they failed to provide a diagnosis and informed the contact the seat was going to be unplugg…

Owner-reported narrative. 199,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11434025 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum

Reported: 2022-05-09 (May 9, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum

Reported: 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

77.8%Usable mileage7 / 9 records

100.0%Valid incident date9 / 9 records

100.0%Valid filing date9 / 9 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates9 / 9 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	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Electrical System	27.4% ODI 10189784 · 77,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, ML500 BEGAN TO BRAKE RANDOMLY . ALSO ABS TURNED ON WHILE STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. ALSO BRAKES WERE CONSTANTLY SCREECHING. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BAS, AND WASHER FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. I TOLD DEALER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SHOULD THE SAME EVENTS OCCUR. (THE RANDOM BREAKING BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND WITH THE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM, I BROUGHT THE ML500 B… Look up ODI 10189784 at NHTSA ↗	323.1% ODI 10503789 · 133,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10503789 at NHTSA ↗	527.8% ODI 10073748 · 4,000 mi VEHICLE LOST POWER DUE TO THE ESM TRACKING SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. AK NM Look up ODI 10073748 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	718.9% ODI 10348487 · 43,444 mi ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR SUV BRAKE, ABS, ESP LIGHTS WENT ON, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOW THAT ABS, ESP, DISPLAY MALFUNCTION, CONTRACT SERVICE. POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ARE BOTH VERY TIGHT. SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO. AFTER WE REPORT THE INCIDENCE TO M-BRACE SERVICE, WE MANAGE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY FROM THE NEXT IMMEDIATE EXIT TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY OFF BY ITSELF. WE SPENT ONE NIGHT WITH A FRIEND NEARBY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE 25TH, WE TOOK OFF FROM FRIENDS DRIVE WAY, THE IN… Look up ODI 10348487 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10378769 · 32,500 mi I OWNED A 2007 MERCEDES ML500, THE REASON I DON'T OWN THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER IS BECAUSE IT BURNT UP IN MY PARKING LOT OUTSIDE OF MY OFFICE. THE EVENING BEFORE THE FIRE I HAD DINNER OUT AND WHEN I WENT TO UNLOCK MY CAR DOORS, THE RIGHT BLINKER LIGHT FLICKERED AND REMAINED ON. AS I GOT INTO THE CAR THE SOUND OF THE BLINKER WAS VERY QUICK AND I TURNED IT OFF BUT REALIZED THEN THAT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I MADE AN APPOINTMENT T GET THOSE FIXED, IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED. ONE OF… Look up ODI 10378769 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	622.2% ODI 10249894 THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SACRAMENTO CA IN AUG OF 06, AT THIS TIME WE ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED 2 YEAR WARRANTY WHICH WE UNDERSTOOD TO BE EXPIRING IN AUG OF 08. THE CAR WORKED FINE WITH NO ISSUES UNTIL SEPT OF 07. I STARTED THE CAR AT 4 AM TO HEAD TO WORK AND IT MAKE A REALLY LOUD NOISE, IT GOT WORSE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED THE MB DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT NOT WANTING TO DRIVE THE CAR MAKING THAT SOUND, HE ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS FINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEA… Look up ODI 10249894 at NHTSA ↗	323.1% ODI 10261377 · 83,317 mi I PAID MY DEALER FOR A REPAIR OF A COMPONENT THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. HOW DO I GET A REFUND OR CREDIT FOR THE EXPENSE. I HAVE ML 500 MERCEDES BENZ 2003. MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT THE WHITE PLAINS N.Y. DEALERSHIP. *TR Look up ODI 10261377 at NHTSA ↗	527.8% ODI 10382577 · 110,000 mi 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED / REPAIRED BY ZEMBRICK MERCEDES IN ADISON WISCONSIN ON FEB 3 2011. THE REPAIRS / SERVICE INCLUDED REPLACING A SEAL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. WITHIN DAYS OF THE REPAIR THE POWER STEERING UNIT LEAKED ALL IT'S FLUID FROM A HOSE CLAMP. FOUND THE RECALL 08V465000 FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH PER THE RECALL COVERED ALL 1998-2004 MB ML'S . HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP AND MBUSA STATES THIS RECALL IS VIN SPECIFIC AND THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY STILL PRESENT AND ONGOING, … Look up ODI 10382577 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	38.1% ODI 10440197 · 98,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH APPROACHING A TURN AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING AND LEAKAGE OF FLUID. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER UNDER 05V224000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. Look up ODI 10440197 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seats	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	215.4% ODI 10436061 · 97,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AS HIS LEFT PANT LEG CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SMALL BURN TO THE LEG. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SPARKS AND A SMALL FLAME COMING THROUGH A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER AND WAS TREATED FOR THE SMALL BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. Look up ODI 10436061 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 10445967 · 141,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY MERCEDES ML 500 WITH MY 17 DAUGHTER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL AND MY DAUGHTERS SEAT FELT HOT TO HER. SHE TRIED TO MOVE HER SELF OVER AND BURNT THE PALM OF HER HAND ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE HEATED SEAT HAD BEEN BURNING AT A VERY HOT TEMPERATURE AND WAS MELTING THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TO HELP COOL IT OFF. IT TOOK 30 MINUTES OR MORE FOR THE SEAT TO COOL OFF IN THAT SPOT. MY DAUGHT… Look up ODI 10445967 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	25.4% ODI 10405522 · 71,000 mi THIS EVENT IS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE--THANK GOODNESS! WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE RESIDENTIAL THOROUGHFARE, THE INTERIOR FILLED WITH SMOKE, I BEGAN COUGHING & GASPING FOR AIR AND THE SEAT BACK BECAME VERY HOT, ALL SEEMINGLY SIMULTANEOUS. INSTANTLY OPENING WINDOWS PROVIDED OXYGEN & CLEARED THE SMOKE AS TURNING OFF THE SEAT HEATER RELIEVED THE HOT SEAT SITUATION. GRATEFULLY, I WAS NOT IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, COULD PULL TO THE CURB. EXAMINATION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK, ABOUT WAIST HIGH, REVEALED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A FAT CIGAR BU… Look up ODI 10405522 at NHTSA ↗	555.6% ODI 10339102 · 38,735 mi WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 ML 500 SUV, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICALLY INDUCED SMOLDERING FIRE. THE HEAT SOURCE BURNED A DIME SIZED HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR AND MY SKIN STARTED TO BURN RIGHT THROUGH MY CLOTHES. THINKING MY CLOTHES MIGHT BURST INTO FLAMES, I IMMEDIATELY CAME TO A STOP AND SAFELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN MOMENTS LATER TURNED OFF THE CAR. THANKFULLY MY CLOTHES DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND I WAS NOT IN BUSY TRAFFIC OR THIS MIGHT HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY. IF THI… Look up ODI 10339102 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	13.7% ODI 11246736 · 201,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE LOW RANGE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE KEY FOB WAS UPDATED AND AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WALTER'S MERCEDES-BENZ OF RIVERSIDE (3213 ADAM… Look up ODI 11246736 at NHTSA ↗	538.5% ODI 10461541 NOTES TAKEN ON PHONE BY BOWMAN, ODI, NHTSA: VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AFTER IMPACT WITH IRREGULAR ROAD SURFACES CONDITION SUCH AS POTHOLE, TRANSVERSING A CHANGE ROAD GRADES / SURFACES SUCH AS SPEED BUMPS, ETAL. VEHICLE CAN BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AFTER SHUT-OFF. ONE INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE. Look up ODI 10461541 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 10668448 · 125,500 mi THIS COULD BE RELATED TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN ALL ML CLASS. 1. OBD SYSTEM CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY 2. STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR CAUSE TO REPORT INCORRECTLY 3. THE SPEEDOMETER OUT OF TOLERANCE IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY 4. OBD SYSTEM IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY CAUSING FAULTS IN SYSTEMS. *TR Look up ODI 10668448 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10653430 · 115,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAS CONTROL BOX MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. Look up ODI 10653430 at NHTSA ↗	12.7% ODI 11482998 When reviewing the vehicle for purchase I noticed the SRS light on. I brought it to the dealerships attention. They instructed me to bring it back in the morning after signing paperwork so they could fix it. After I brought it back they let me know that they didn't see any SRS lights and would not be servicing the vehicle. There has been multiple mechanical issues with the vehicle including but not limited to the transmission going out, break recalls, engine leaks and now I'm being informed that my passenger air bag is deactivated. I just want … Look up ODI 11482998 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	311.1% ODI 10057273 · 10,000 mi WARRANTY ISSUES AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. *PH AT THE FIRST 10,000 MILES, THE CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE TRAVEL WAS TOO LONG AND WAS ADVISED BY AN SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER AT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES, THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT ADEQUATE AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN BRAKING. THIS TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE GONE AND THE ROTORS WERE SCORED DUE TO TOO MUCH CITY DRIVING AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR WOULD NOT HONOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRAN… Look up ODI 10057273 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.6% ODI 10109883 I HAVE RETURNED MY SUV TO MERCEDES ABOUT 5 TIMES TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED BECAUSE THEY SQUEAL WHEN STOPPING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY MERCEDES THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE ALL DISC BRAKES SQUEAL. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE I HAVE HAD MANY CARS WITH DISC BRAKES OVER THE YEARS. I PICKED THE CAR UP ON 2/3/05 AND IT WAS SQUEALING AGAIN ON 2/4/05. *JB Look up ODI 10109883 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	513.5% ODI 10210926 · 28,400 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO A GATE. THE DRIVER JUMP INTO THE VEHICLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND SUSTAINED SCRATCHES AND CUTS. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NORMAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED AN INVESTIGATOR AND HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,600. UPDATED 03/0… Look up ODI 10210926 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	311.1% ODI 10074295 TGHE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STICKY AND NOTCHY. THIS CONDITION MADE SMOOTH ACCELERATION EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. AK TS Look up ODI 10074295 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	410.8% ODI 10485867 · 48,763 mi MY WIFE HAS HAD 4 INCIDENTS WHERE THE SUV HAS FELT LIKE IS WANTS TO ACCELERATE WHILE STOPPING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 23 NOVEMBER, WHERE AS SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND IT FELT LIKE SHE HAD BEEN HIT IN THE REAR. THE CAR IS GOING INTO THE MB DEALER, PARK PLACE MERCEDES BENZ, FORT WORTH [phone removed], 27 NOVEMBER FOR INVESTIGATION. *TR Look up ODI 10485867 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	13.7% ODI 768838 TRANSMISSION STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, THREE ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY BY OWNER, FINALLY ON FOURTH ATTEMPT.(PLACING IN PARK AND TURNING OFF AN ON IGNITION) TRANSMISSION FINALLY WOKED NORMALLY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THROUGH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOLD TO RETURN VEHICLE TO DEALER, CONTACTED DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL SEVERAL TIMES. THOUGHT I SHOULD ADVISE SOMEONE AT NHSTA. DT Look up ODI 768838 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.6% ODI 10175521 · 1,500 mi CAR GETS STUCK IN THE PARK GEAR AND HAS TO BE TOWED. DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT, A MECHANIC PUT A PEN INTO A SLOT IN THE GEAR BOX AND IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS A DEFECT THE MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT, OTHERWISE HOW DID THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO? *JB Look up ODI 10175521 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	410.8% ODI 10291630 · 53,000 mi AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, RELEASED BRAKE AND PRESSED GAS; THE RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, INSTEAD THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE IT WAS ON A HILL. THE GEAR INDICATOR WAS ON DRIVE, BUT CAR WAS ACTUALLY ON NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS CAR IS ON NEUTRAL AND CANNOT CHANGE TRANSMISSION BACK TO ANY GEAR. CAR WAS TAKE TO A DEALER REPAIR SHOP, WHERE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED. AS CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COST OF REPAIR OVER $1000. *TR… Look up ODI 10291630 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	13.7% ODI 11443393 There is a serious defect in the YAW rate sensors in these Mercedes ML W163's. Thank God I was driving down a secluded road and nobody was behind me, but my vehicles brakes locked up, on their own, even with my foot on the accelerator pedal, with no warning lights or warning signals. I have no error codes, and my vehicle is well maintained. There are many many people that are having the same issue with their Mercedes ML's. Some people have experienced this happening to them at freeway speeds. The YAW rate sensors are at fault, and send a sign… Look up ODI 11443393 at NHTSA ↗	215.4% ODI 10730545 · 81,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000...UPDATED 08/06/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TWO LINES FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD SEVERE PITTING AND CORROSION , AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 08/1… Look up ODI 10730545 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	25.4% ODI 11565990 I am experiencing malfunctions of the Seat Belt, electrical and breaking system Look up ODI 11565990 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable 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
Seats	123,000–155,000 mi	128,000 mi	5	ODI 10339102 · 38,735 mi WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 ML 500 SUV, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICALLY INDUCED SMOLDERING FIRE. THE HEAT SOURCE BURNED A DIME SIZED HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR AND MY SKIN STARTED TO BURN RIGHT THROUGH MY CLOTHES. THINKING MY CLOTHES MIGHT BURST INTO FLAMES, I IMMEDIATELY CAME TO A STOP AND SAFELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN MOMENTS LATER TURNED OFF THE CAR. THANKFULLY MY CLOTHES DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND I WAS NOT IN BUSY TRAFFIC OR THIS MIGHT HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY. IF THI… Look up ODI 10339102 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10809201 · 128,000 mi ON NOVEMBER 22, 2015 I TURNED ON MY HEATED SEAT AS I WAS EXITING A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN I GOT ON THE MAJOR CITY STREET I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I FELT SOMETHING REALLY HOT ON MY BACK SO I JUMPED IN MY SEAT AND READJUSTED MY TOP, I FELT THE HEAT ON MY BACK AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS HOTTER. I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND TURNED AROUND TO LOOK AT THE SEAT AND COULD SEE FIRE BURNING A HOLE THRU THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED PATTING THE SEAT TO STOP THE FIRE FROM SPREADING AND THEN TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT CONTROL. I CALLED … Look up ODI 10809201 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10958297 · 123,000 mi I GOT INTO MY CAR AND TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER. AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD SMELL SMOKE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A FEW SECONDS LATER I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LOWER BACK. I REACHED MY LEFT HAND BEHIND ME TO CHECK AND FELT SOMETHING HOT, WHEN I PULLED MY HAND OUT MY FINGER TIPS WERE COVERED IN MELTED LEATHER. THE SMOKE BY THEN INCREASED, I SHUT THE SEAT WARMER OFF AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. Look up ODI 10958297 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	59,175 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	32,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10378769 · 32,500 mi I OWNED A 2007 MERCEDES ML500, THE REASON I DON'T OWN THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER IS BECAUSE IT BURNT UP IN MY PARKING LOT OUTSIDE OF MY OFFICE. THE EVENING BEFORE THE FIRE I HAD DINNER OUT AND WHEN I WENT TO UNLOCK MY CAR DOORS, THE RIGHT BLINKER LIGHT FLICKERED AND REMAINED ON. AS I GOT INTO THE CAR THE SOUND OF THE BLINKER WAS VERY QUICK AND I TURNED IT OFF BUT REALIZED THEN THAT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I MADE AN APPOINTMENT T GET THOSE FIXED, IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED. ONE OF… Look up ODI 10378769 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	59,175 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	Too few reports for a range	59,175 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 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

2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2007	9	0	0
2008	0	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	Seats	Unknown Or Other	Electrical System	Service Brakes	Steering
Seats	—	0	0	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	—	0	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	0	0	—	0	0
Service Brakes	0	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	0	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	—

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

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.