2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 16%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 16% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My m-350 had no power. The harness cable (163-540-28-32) located behind and against the battery had completely been destroyed by the battery acid environment. The cable supplies the operational power to the electrical functions of the auto. If I had been driving when this complete failure occurred I could have been killed or could have killed someone else. All systems in the car were totally non-functional. No shielding or prevention of damage to the cable was engineered into the factory installation of this cable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259532, filed 2009-02, 77,500 miles“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 from getting burned by the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252047, filed 2008-12, 24,500 miles“Random loss of power ' (the entire panel lights up) as the car suddenly and slowly powers off while taking off from a drop, driving, breaking, and turning, coming to a stop and on the highway. In the past 6 months we have spent more than 3800.00 for car repair on the ml 350. It shuts off more and more frequently. So much so we do not allow our daughter to drive unless I am there and now not even then until we have had it fixed for the 4th time (we thought) after crank shaft, spark plugs and now electrical work we are at a total loss. …”
NHTSA complaint #10861000, filed 2016-04Related service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10165852Jul 9, 2014Noise in center console area of W166.
- 10165851Jul 8, 2014Side windows may make noises when closing and opening, or reverse direction when closing.
- 10165850Jul 8, 2014Side windows may make noises when closing and opening, or reverse direction when closing.
- 10167564Jul 12, 2013Customer experiences low battery conditions, resulting in jump starts, and eventually requiring battery replacement.
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after…
- 10046319Aug 9, 2012Xentry (mercedes); electric steering control unit, in some vehicles, has implausible fault entry due to software needing updating. Models ml 350. No model years listed.
- 10034152Jun 7, 2010Mercedes: battery symbol and service required (in white). Fault message is displayed if the charge level is too low or the park pawl additional battery is defective. In addition…
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 29% |
| 2013 | 11 | 19% |
| 2012 | 11 | 17% |
| 2011 | 16 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 10% |
| 2009 | 17 | 18% |
| 2008 | 13 | 19% |
| 2007 | 19 | 23% |
| 2006 | 29 | 17% |
| 2004 | 4 | 11% |
| 2003 | 4 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350
11 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology