2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 11%of 35 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 11% of the 35 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles.
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.
“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“While driving 2004 mercedes benz ML350 on public street the engine lost all power while moving at 30 - 35 MPH. Lost both power steering control and power braking ability as a result. Was able to avoid collisions and coasted into an off street area safely. Under other circumstances ( high speed freeway travel ) accident may have been certain. Cause determined to be faulty crank sensor. This seems to be common problem with this vintage vehicle and came as no surprise to my mechanic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10300437, filed 2010-01, 104,000 miles“Thank you for your responses but we are very disappointed and very frustrated with your response. During these 2 year things have gone wrong. We did contact Mercedes-Benz headquarters..market too many times and explain about us car. But they are ignore now we are in the process of launching a lawsuit to replace my 04 ml 350 on the basis of safety. The engine failed 18 times on the road (in addition to all kinds of other problems). …”
NHTSA complaint #10165343, filed 2006-08“Discovered brittle, broken and missing wiring insulation on the headlight wiring inside the headlamp assembly. This was a dangerous situation that allowed the positive and negative wires to come in contact with each other creating a short.”
NHTSA complaint #11024117, filed 2017-09Related 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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