2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 19%of 67 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 19% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,500 miles. 2 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.
“Due to a faulty right taillamp seal, water got into a control module and damaged it beyond repair. I woke up and walked outside to see my headlights flashing and upon further inspection my key fob not working, srs disabled, and many other miscellaneous electronic components disabled. Some time before this, the motor to the rear hatch stopped working, possibly for the same reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11115405, filed 2018-08, 110,000 miles“The insulation of the cables for the high and low beam is missing.the wires are without any insulation at all.I can not use the lights because I'm afraid of a short .other wise, I can use the car as long as I don't turn the front lights on.”
NHTSA complaint #10950124, filed 2017-02, 112,110 miles“My ML350 kept blowing it's brake lights. After awhile of this I realized that something was obviously wrong. At this point both lights were out at the same time. I took it in to find that the sockets were burnt out and needed to be replaced. I was then told that the wiring also needed to be replaced and mercedes benz had a fix for it all but at a price. I was also told that the c series had a recall for the same problem. Why are there no recall for the ml or the m series?”
NHTSA complaint #10703825, filed 2015-04, 101,250 miles“Less than a year after I bought the car, during month of april 2014, different error messages started to appear on dash including ABS (brake system), srs (air bags), and steering wheel vibrating, hard to turn wheel, a few tail/parking lights not working. At shop, they said sensors were bad, and due to my extended warranty they replaced the entire power steering system ($272) but said to repair the air bags would cost $800. A different mechanic said under $100 to fix air bag sensors. …”
NHTSA complaint #10629141, filed 2014-08, 56,000 miles“2008 mercedes ml 350 brake lights continue to send an error message that left and right brake lights are out sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't its isn't the light bulb and was told this is a common issue with this year. Water continues to leak in through the rear brake light damaging the sam unit”
NHTSA complaint #11118762, filed 2018-08, 95,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10166088Jul 12, 2014Noises from the mounting of the rear weight sensing system (WSS) sensors
- 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…
- 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.
- 10167007Feb 25, 2014Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit.
- 10167006Feb 12, 2014Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit.
- 10167040Feb 1, 2014This Service Campaign has been initiated because Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that the mbrace software does not correspond to…
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350
24 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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