2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 10%of 67 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 10% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 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.
“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“Faulty wiring in the brake light harness that could cause fire. Wiring commonly arcs causing the bulbs to burn out and could potentially cause a fire. Mercedes has other cars with this same problem, but won't address it on the ML350's. They even made a part to correct this problem, but demand car owners pay out of pocket to fix mercedes faulty wiring problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11218579, filed 2019-06“The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While the vehicle was parked, the power liftgate failed to operate. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the control unit for the power liftgate failed due to water contamination. The vehicle was repaired by having the seal of the rear tail lamp assembly replaced, but the remedy failed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v076000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10882967, filed 2016-07, 23,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz ML350. While driving at 30 MPH, the instrument panel started blinking. The contact stated that the tailgate system made an abnormal noise and seized. The contact mentioned that the radio and air conditioning system also failed. In addition, the contact stated that upon removing the spare tire, there was water in the spare tire compartment as well in the passenger side tail light and on the tail gate modem. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that water was entering from the seal around the rear tail lamp. …”
NHTSA complaint #10730118, filed 2015-06, 78,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz ML350. The contact stated that the control module that is located under the spare tire was damaged. There was a red light that illuminated on the instrument panel. The passenger door warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The interior lights and headlights flashed on and off. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the headlight gasket and control unit sam module were faulty and needed to be replaced. The repairs were completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 133,500. …”
NHTSA complaint #10619410, filed 2014-08, 133,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031580Apr 16, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029062Feb 25, 2026Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11029025Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11028989Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11008323Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamps fogged or droplets forming. Cause Due to its outlet openings, the headlamp is an "open system". This means that acidic gases, moisture, dirt and exhaust gases…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead…
- 11005294Jul 23, 2024Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 14% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 5 | 5% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350
24 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBrakes
8 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