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Mercedes-Benz ML350Model year report

2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
51,400miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The part named most often is steering, with 11 complaints (44% of the total), followed by seats (7) and electrical system (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,400 miles. Of all complaints, 4 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 65 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Seats complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Steering: “I recently had to replace the power steering pump, reseviour, and hose after loosing control while driving on the highway. Immediately after refilling with fluid all the contents ran right out. I do see that there was a recall for this problem in 2008, but I did not take ownership of this vehicle until 2/15. Is there any way possible for this problem to be fixed under the recall?”

NHTSA complaint #10873347, filed 2016-06, 136,690 miles

Seats: “Front drivers side seat, burns when heater is turned on. Burn smell, burned skin of driver. Has there been a recall on this. I have read of many instances of this same complaint on the internet. Mercedes needs to replace seat.”

NHTSA complaint #10621045, filed 2014-08, 40,000 miles

Electrical system: “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 know how.”

NHTSA complaint #10761160, filed 2015-09, 97,000 miles

Engine cooling: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10229634, filed 2008-06, 93,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,000 and 93,000 miles.

0%0–1011%10–2537%25–5021%50–7521%75–1005%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 51,400 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2005200720096201420162023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ML-Class · sedan AWDnot rated———3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ML350 4WD/AWD3.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic141715$5,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 65 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 65 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML350

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20155218,750552085 · MoreRising
20146839,200452055 · TypicalRising
20135771,000452042 · TypicalRising
20126548,5003—2060 · TypicalRising
201111165,0003—1766 · MoreStable
201010167,0003—1838 · TypicalStable
20099370,0003—1845 · TypicalStable
20086771,0002—1745 · TypicalFalling
20078360,0002—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200617268,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20052366,7000—15—Rising
20043570,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20032551,4000—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Mercedes-Benz ML350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 11 complaints (44% of the total), followed by seats with 7.

Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 (ML350, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,400 miles and the middle half falls between 29,000 and 93,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.