2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 67 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,215miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 6% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,215 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Loss of power steering fluid resulting in diminished or total loss of power steering. Though total loss did not happen yet, this could easily have resulted in a loss of control and a crash without any warning. 1998-2004 class was recalled for that very reason; why not the model years thereafter that have same problem; likely in same frequency.”
NHTSA complaint #10670314, filed 2015-01, 89,000 miles“Atm at bank was not operating and was going inside bank, at regions bank in hendersonville tn. When car was shifted from park into drive the car took off at a high rate of speed, that could not be stopped by braking. The result being,hitting two cars, when trying to go between them, then still couldn't stop until nose dive in rock lined four foot ditch .”
NHTSA complaint #10553143, filed 2013-11, 58,800 miles“Mercedes benz ml 350 2008 was involved in an incident in which the driver put the car into park to retrieve an item from the back seat. Driver stepped out of the vehicle to retrieve an item from the back seat of vehicle. Driver opened the back seat door and vehicle moved forward approximately 31/2 feet. During the movement of the vehicle drivers feet were run over by vehicle an pinned under left back tire. 911 was called police & fire department assisted to jack up car and pull driver out from under the tire. Paramedics attended and driver was taken by ambulance to hospital. …”
NHTSA complaint #10258143, filed 2009-02, 13,250 miles“The contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz ML350. The contact stated that the brake light failed while driving 65 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnosis and located the failure as the tail light socket ground wiring connections as faulty. The dealer replaced the socket with and upgraded socket kit. In addition, the contact was experiencing transmission failures when downshifting at highway speeds and attempting to up shift the gear. The dealer advised that the transmission failure could be corrected by installing updated software. The transmission was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10393982, filed 2011-04, 53,630 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…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single 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…
- 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…
- 10023863Nov 1, 2007Models ml350, ml500, ml63, ml320, ml550, gl450, gl320, gl550, r350, r500, r63, r320 - model year 2008 -- update engine control module software -- check transmission control…
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350
24 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 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 Nov 1, 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