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Mercedes-Benz ML350Model year report

2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,700miles, 20 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The part named most often is steering, with 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine cooling (5) and transmission and drivetrain (5). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 35% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,700 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 78 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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 (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “The 2005 ml 350 I believe is experiencing the same problems that LED to recalls for ml series in 2003, 2004 and possibly other years. The power steering system looses fluid caused by leaks in the plumbing of the power steering pump. The only sign of an initial problem was the noise made by the pump because of loss of fluid. This vehicle requires special fluid which is not commonly available. Loss of steering control is the result of the loss of fluid.”

NHTSA complaint #10377306, filed 2011-01, 45,000 miles

Engine cooling: “All of a sudden the car would not start. I was at 61k miles and warranty expired about 10k miles ago. Now I am experiencing this problem. An mb tech came and said the battery was not the problem but most likely a sensor issue and that this model has had many complaints of this and that it will happen again. Well it kept happening all this week until the 11th where it really went down hard in traffic, luckily this time my kids were not in the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10295541, filed 2009-12, 61,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “2005 mercedes ml 350 vehicle jumps when coming to a stop this does not happen all the time but you never know when it going too dealership can never find the problem, fells like transmission . Very bad safety issue this has been on going since nov 8 2006 please help !!!!!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10297893, filed 2010-01, 25,000 miles

Seats: “Driver heated seat burning underside of left thigh on both low and high settings. On 12/26/11, it felt hotter than normal (even on a very short 6-7 minute journey) burning index finger when seat leather was being felt. There is also smell of burning. I switched heated seat off immediately. A hot spot is visible on the leather seat where the element seems to have overheated.”

NHTSA complaint #10441271, filed 2011-12, 78,650 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

35% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 90,000 miles.

0%0–1010%10–2525%25–5020%50–7525%75–10015%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,700 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.

2007200920116201520172025
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 2005 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 2005 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. 78 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 78 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 5.

Has the 2005 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,700 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 90,000 miles; 35% 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.