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Mercedes-Benz ML350Model year report

2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems

Complaints
35filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 28 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The part named most often is steering, with 6 complaints (17% of the total), followed by air bags (5) and brakes (4). 28 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 66 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 9 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.

Also reported: Body and structure (2), Equipment (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “Leakage of power steering fluid coming from hoses, or pipe, or some connection. I was about to leave when I started my car only to hear a loud whining noise and a hard-to-turn steering wheel.”

NHTSA complaint #11097043, filed 2018-05, 162,000 miles

Air bags: “Srs and airbag lights remain on. I won't bother with the dealer because I have seen numerous complaints on various blogs of people with the same issue who have been told that this is a $750 sensor that needs to be replaced. Mercedes should seek recourse with their suppliers and stand behind their world-class german engineering and make their customers whole.”

NHTSA complaint #10256554, filed 2009-01, 75,000 miles

Brakes: “While driving on a local street, I noticed that brakes had stopped working. After investigation, I noticed that a corroded brake line was leaking brake fluid. I had contacted mercedes benz customer service. I was told to contact a dealer, who confirmed that all brake lines are corroding in the area close to the engine compartment. I was told that this is not a safety issue subject to a recall. I was further told that it is normal for brake lines to corrode and leak. I have not noticed corrosion on any other part of the car, except the brake lines.”

NHTSA complaint #10525310, filed 2013-07, 50,000 miles

Electrical system: “During a routine change of a headlight lamp, the maintenance technician discover that the insulation on all four wires in the left front headlight assembly were cracked, disintegrating and missing leaving the bare wires exposed. The maintenance technician would not change the bulb until a new wiring harness was fabricated and the discrepancy was corrected. This is a dangerous situation. The bare wires are in an enclosed headlamp assembly, contacting flammable materials. A short in these wires can lead to system failures, overheating and fire in the headlamp area. …”

NHTSA complaint #10837350, filed 2016-02, 96,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 28 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.

0%0–1011%10–257%25–5036%50–7514%75–10021%100–15011%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (28 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’06’094’134’16’19’23
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 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 2004 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. 66 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 66 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 6 complaints (17% of the total), followed by air bags with 5.

Has the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 reported?

Among the 28 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 100,000 miles; 18% 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. 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.