2009 Mercedes Benz ML550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
113,663 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
2
50.0%
Electrical and battery issues
1
25.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Air Bags
1
Service Brakes
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
Tires
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Air Bags
1
Service Brakes
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
Tires
1
Air Bags: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 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.
2016
1
2017
1
2022
1
2024
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2016
1
2017
1
2022
1
2024
1
2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
TIRES ARE NEW 3500 MILES. NORMAL DRIVING AT 40 MPH LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TIRE AND BLEW OUT. THE STEEL BELT WAS FAULTY. TWO DAYS LATER LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ANOTHER NEW TIRE TIRE OUT OF ROUND DUE TO STEEL BELT FAILURE. NO ROAD HAZARD SO TIRE DEALER SAID EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NEW IT WILL BE ANOTHER 880.00. THE TIRES CLEARLY ARE FAULTY AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DUNLOP 255/50R19 ALL 4 BOUGHT AND INSTALLED 2 FAILED 2 DAYS APART. VERY DANGEROUS BLOWOUT NO INJURIES. THESE TIRES ARE NOT RIGHT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE BEEN IN CAR …
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
In mid February/early March the brakes failed while the vehicle was moving in a parking lot. After exiting the vehicle with the emergency brake on, I found a pool of brake fluid under the car. After towing it home, I had to make the decision to leave the car sitting as I did not have the financial resources to take it to an authorized mechanic as I had lost my job in January. In May learned of the recall and called the number, only to be told that I have to wait for a letter in the mail and to do nothing until I receive a letter. After roughly …
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard and seized. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal until the brake pedal raised off the floorboard. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however,…
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
25.0%Usable mileage1 / 4 records
100.0%Valid incident date4 / 4 records
100.0%Valid filing date4 / 4 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 4 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2008
2009
Electrical System
527.8%ODI 10453355 · 51,355 mi
ON TWO OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC/OPERATIONTHE ENGINE STALLED ON TURNING THE CAR. ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO UNBLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMED THE INCIDENT -A DID NEVER HAPPEN AND B-COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
ON TWO OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC/OPERATIONTHE ENGINE STALLED ON TURNING THE CAR. ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO UNBLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMED THE INCIDENT -A DID NEVER HAPPEN AND B-COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
TAKATA RECALL. I HAD AN AUTO COLLISION IN 2008, WHERE VEHICLE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY (AAA) PAID $40,000.00 FOR REPAIRS. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T ACTIVATE. MAYBE I SHOULD THANK THE LORD, IT DIDN'T ACTIVATE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard and seized. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal until the brake pedal raised off the floorboard. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however,…
LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT.. ONCE PULLED OUT, THEY DO NOT RETRACT.. LOOKING ON MERCEDES FORUMS, THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES FAILS TO ADDRESS.. *TR
Cooper Tire Evolution 245/65R17 - Tire Tread Separation - the entire tread out layer came off of the driver side front tire while driving on the freeway - the tire was not deflated - the entire tread hit the driver side mirror breaking it completely off - hitting driver window and deploying all airbags on driver side of the vehicle. The tire itself still was fully aired and full circle entire outer layer of tread was off of the tire. Caused vehicle damage - Personal Injury
TIRES ARE NEW 3500 MILES. NORMAL DRIVING AT 40 MPH LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TIRE AND BLEW OUT. THE STEEL BELT WAS FAULTY. TWO DAYS LATER LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ANOTHER NEW TIRE TIRE OUT OF ROUND DUE TO STEEL BELT FAILURE. NO ROAD HAZARD SO TIRE DEALER SAID EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NEW IT WILL BE ANOTHER 880.00. THE TIRES CLEARLY ARE FAULTY AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DUNLOP 255/50R19 ALL 4 BOUGHT AND INSTALLED 2 FAILED 2 DAYS APART. VERY DANGEROUS BLOWOUT NO INJURIES. THESE TIRES ARE NOT RIGHT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE BEEN IN CAR …
My NHTSA #11431874 I have made a complaint about my back computer was damage by water where the is installed on the right side of my car now I found out that the reason my chairs are not moving is because the electrical is also damage this is so unfair the problem is not my car but the ways and place they installed the computer??
The back computer seat on the top of the was supposed to be draining out of the car instead the water retrain in the cause damage to my the computer I complained about it but never got a solution until the water damage the and saw for the first time where was the water on back of my car this was careless why put computer on the top of water that caused the damage and problem for my car?
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
Tires
Too few reports for a range
113,663 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10935964 · 113,663 mi
TIRES ARE NEW 3500 MILES. NORMAL DRIVING AT 40 MPH LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TIRE AND BLEW OUT. THE STEEL BELT WAS FAULTY. TWO DAYS LATER LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ANOTHER NEW TIRE TIRE OUT OF ROUND DUE TO STEEL BELT FAILURE. NO ROAD HAZARD SO TIRE DEALER SAID EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NEW IT WILL BE ANOTHER 880.00. THE TIRES CLEARLY ARE FAULTY AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DUNLOP 255/50R19 ALL 4 BOUGHT AND INSTALLED 2 FAILED 2 DAYS APART. VERY DANGEROUS BLOWOUT NO INJURIES. THESE TIRES ARE NOT RIGHT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE BEEN IN CAR …
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
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.
2008: 1 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2008
1
1
1
2009
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
2008
18
0
0
2009
4
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
Air Bags
Service Brakes
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Tires
Air Bags
—
0
0
0
Service Brakes
0
—
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
0
0
—
0
Tires
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
2 mentions · 50.0% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 11475982
In mid February/early March the brakes failed while the vehicle was moving in a parking lot. After exiting the vehicle with the emergency brake on, I found a pool of brake fluid under the car. After towing it home, I had to make the decision to leave the car sitting as I did not have the financial resources to take it to an authorized mechanic as I had lost my job in January. In May learned of the recall and called the number, only to be told that I have to wait for a letter in the mail and to do nothing until I receive a letter. After roughly …
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard and seized. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal until the brake pedal raised off the floorboard. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however,…
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard and seized. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal until the brake pedal raised off the floorboard. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however,…