2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 22%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 22% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 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.
“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“Occassionally while driving the vehicle, it stalls in gear,that is the gear shift doesn't work and the vehiclestays in one gear even while moving.usually the driver has to stop briefly shifts the gear to another gear and then starts again.in a few seconds wwe can drive again.until the same thing happens again perhaps in a few months or so.this always happen when the vehicle is in motion more generally on city street.this began to happen from the very moment I purchased the car and within two hours of driving and has continued to happen since”
NHTSA complaint #11015199, filed 2017-08, 48,000 miles“Bought the 2005 ML350 used last summer (2010). In the first few weeks of owning the vehicle while slowing down or stopped, the acceleration seemed to drop low enough to make the vehicle stall. No check engine light on, but took it back to the dealership and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Since then, it has happened multiple times over the year. Also, while starting the vehicle it will stall and I will have to keep retrying to start it and press the acceleration pedal to get it to finally start. …”
NHTSA complaint #10424590, filed 2011-09, 60,000 miles“My mercedes ml 350 and ml 320 have both had episodes when the automatic transmission slipped into neutral while driving on the highway. The only common denominator was that the incidents occurred after driving over highway section dividers which were somewhat bumpy. Speeds were approx. 70 MPH in all 3 incidents. All 3 times, the car had to be coasted off the highway to a full stop, and shut down. The transmission worked fine after the car was restarted. The ml 320 had 2 incidents in the same trip when it had about 65,000 miles on it. Dealer found no transmission problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168905, filed 2006-09, 28,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10164811Aug 5, 2019Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of rear axle
- 10165842Jul 10, 2014With an unfavorable sensor position and high rpms, the sensor may deliver incorrect rpm values and the transmission control unit may detect overspeeding. Owing to the software…
- 10044200Apr 2, 2012Xentry: mercedes benz: grunting/creaking sound from the area of the front axle when braking, driving over surface undulations, negotiating tight corners, or while maneuvering…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 | 13% |
| 2014 | 4 | 6% |
| 2013 | 6 | 11% |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 6% |
| 2007 | 17 | 20% |
| 2006 | 43 | 25% |
| 2005 | 5 | 22% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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