Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 952 consumer complaints across the 13 model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML350 (2003–2015) that have at least 5 complaints. 2006 has the most, with 172. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (197 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All ML350 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 52 | 18,750 | 5 | 125 | 85 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 68 | 39,200 | 4 | 117 | 55 · Typical | Rising |
| 2013 | 57 | 71,000 | 4 | 132 | 42 · Typical | Rising |
| 2012 | 65 | 48,500 | 3 | 132 | 60 · Typical | Rising |
| 2011 | 111 | 65,000 | 3 | 108 | 66 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 101 | 67,000 | 3 | 86 | 38 · Typical | Stable |
| 2009 | 93 | 70,000 | 3 | 90 | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 67 | 71,000 | 2 | 85 | 45 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 83 | 60,000 | 2 | 95 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 172 | 68,000 | 2 | 102 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 23 | 66,700 | 0 | 78 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 35 | 70,000 | 0 | 66 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 25 | 51,400 | 0 | 65 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags197 22%
- Electrical system158 18%
- Engine122 14%
- Transmission and drivetrain101 11%
- Steering95 11%
- Brakes86 9.6%
- Seats67 7.5%
- Fuel system67 7.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2006: “I was driving in my car to work on the city street (santa anita ave going north in the city of arcadia ca), within few minutes after I left the house I felt my hands get hot probably the air bag deployed and the next thing I know my car ran over the center divider and flipped over. Fortunately, I came out of the car dazed and with multiple bruises.”
NHTSA complaint #11327806, filed 2020-06, 102,000 miles2007: “The front passenger seat will not engage in a location. It slides forward and backward at will when braking or accelerating. I see this as a manufacturing defect. My dealer says I'll need to pay for a complete new seat assembly. All my passengers sit in the rear. Thankfully, they are few. Otherwise I love the car'”
NHTSA complaint #11209322, filed 2019-05, 34,000 miles2011: “Takata recall. I have been waiting patiently since february 2016, and every 6 months mercedes benz keeps delaying the remedy to this potentially fatal issue. My wife and toddler ride in this vehicle and I'm always in fear the airbag can deploy causing serious injury or death. How much longer am I supposed to wait for the parts to be ready while mercedes benz is making record profits?”
NHTSA complaint #11221963, filed 2019-06, 53,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaintsMercedes-Benz C230
653 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology