2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden engine stalls or loss of power while driving, and some complaints link the fuel pump or its control module to that problem. Oil seeping onto engine parts and wiring, water reaching electronics and drive parts, blind spot and collision warning faults, and soft or fading brakes also recur in the complaints. Mileage is stated in only some complaints, and the stall reports usually describe a sudden onset with little or no warning, while the oil and water problems tend to be described as leaks that developed over time.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden stalling or loss of power while driving

   • 16 complaints (28%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out, stalling, or losing acceleration with little or no warning, including at highway speed and in heavy traffic. Some describe hesitation or lurching when pulling away from a stop, with engine speed dropping before power returns. In some complaints the dealer identified the fuel pump or its control module as the problem, and the dealer reportedly said a software update should have addressed the hesitation. Where mileage is stated it falls between 14,500 and 129,000 miles, and some complaints describe the problem when the tank is low, on an incline, or in rain.

   Recall 22V955000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump and its control module were checked, and whether the spare tire well recall work was completed. Check for stored fault codes and ask whether any software update was applied, since some complaints describe the dealer suggesting one.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The engine locked up after blowing the top part of the engine off, fire shot out of the engine and quickly went out like a flam thrower. I was driving on the expressway when the accelerator would not work without any warning I didn’t have any issues with this truck. The car cut off immediately thank God I was able to coast to the side of the expressway because it stopped in the left lane on the expressway I was scared for our lives. The dealership has the truck and they said the engine is locked up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11686235, filed 2025-09

   “Re: My 2013 ML350- Intermittent Start/ Vehicle cutting off while in heavy traffic. Fuel Pump and Fuel modulator failed due to water collecting in the spare tire wheel-weld causing water intrusion into the fuel system. I paid out of pocket for this service twice, AND then found out from MB Tacoma there was a RECALL with the exact same issue. I took the vehicle in to the closest dealer- Seattle Mercedes to handle the outstanding recall issues. I was advised to contact MERCEDES BENZ USA GOODWILL DEPARTMENT. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11734678, filed 2026-04
2. 2
   Engine

   Oil leaks onto engine parts and wiring

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 92,273 mi at 6.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe oil seeping from the oil cooler, the upper timing chain covers, the oil cap area, or a camshaft position sensor, with oil reaching the alternator, the engine, or the wiring harness. In some complaints the dealer or a mechanic found a faulty gasket or seal and recommended cleaning the oil off the engine. Some complaints describe electrical faults or a fire concern linked to the leaking oil. Where mileage is stated it falls between 34,000 and 120,000 miles, and the leaks are often found during a routine oil change or while topping up fluids.

   What to check: Check for oil residue around the oil cooler, the timing chain covers, and the alternator, and ask whether the cooler gasket or seal was replaced. Ask the seller for service records showing oil-related repairs and any wiring work after a leak.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In may 2017, while driving, check engine light came on. Acceleration was extremely reduced in a very dangerous way. Took vehicle to dealer. Dealer diagnosed problem as an oil leak that has been leaking on the wiring harness, which caused wiring/electrical system for entire vehicle to completely fail. Estimated repair is $13,500. The vehicle has 34k miles, and the original factory warranty expired in late february 2017. Had routine oil change at dealer in february, no oil leak detected. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10991521, filed 2017-05, 34,000 miles

   “2013 Mercedes Benz ML350 (W166) engine (m276) began misfiring. Palm Springs Mercedes Benz diagnosed faulty camshaft positioning sensor leaking engine oil into engine electrical harness which wicked through harness to ECU. Faulty (leaking) camshaft positioning sensor caused faulty harness, ECU, injectors, o2 sensors. Said common problem on these and other models and engines.”

   NHTSA complaint #11463905, filed 2022-05
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Water intrusion into electronics and drive parts

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 105,000 mi at 11.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe water reaching electronic control units, including driver-assist radar units, and water pooling on the driver-side floor. Some complaints link water collecting in the spare tire well to fuel pump and fuel modulator failures, and others describe a slipping transmission with water inside. Some owners say moisture remained after recall-related repairs, and technicians found evidence of water and humidity in the electronics area. Where mileage is stated it falls between 74,000 and 136,000 miles, and a floor-water complaint came to light after a battery drain and tow.

   Recall 22V955000

   What to check: Check the driver-side footwell and carpet for dampness or a musty smell, and ask whether the spare tire well recall work was completed. Ask the seller for records of any transmission, electrical, or water-related repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT SUPPORTING STATEMENT Vehicle: 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 I am submitting this complaint regarding a continuing safety concern involving water intrusion and electronic system damage in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. My vehicle was subject to a Mercedes-Benz recall involving water intrusion and related components. Despite recall-related repairs being performed, moisture and water intrusion concerns remain unresolved. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11741266, filed 2026-06

   “Both the front distronic system,which controls adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, and the blind spot warning have failed. Failure of both systems is usually caused by water getting into the respective control units related to poor sealing allowing water to enter and causing the systems to fail. I believe that these systems are critical to vehicle safety. The pre safe braking is essential to the safe operation of the vehicle. Blind spot warning failure is also a safety item on vehicles like these with large blind spot areas. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11581528, filed 2024-04
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Blind spot and collision warning faults

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2024

   Owners report the blind spot warning showing as inoperative, with the mirror indicator lights staying on while driving. Some owners link these failures to water getting into the radar control units. The collision system is described as braking the car unexpectedly at highway speed, causing near misses from following traffic. In another report, the dealer found a chafed wiring harness and recommended replacing the harness. The only mileage stated in this group is 50,000 miles, and the warnings are described as appearing while driving, including on the highway.

   What to check: Ask whether the blind spot and radar units were checked for water intrusion, and whether any fault codes are stored for these systems. On a test drive, check that the blind spot indicators and the collision warning respond normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Warning sign comes up : blind spot assist inoperative . When the warning sign comes up the right and left blind spots in the mirror remain light up and also I am not able to signal to change lines . These happened already 3 times over past 3 months and lasts for hours while on the highway . I try to stop at the side of the highway , turn the car off and on still won't work for some time . I have taken videos of these happening .”

   NHTSA complaint #11323391, filed 2020-05

   “While at highway speeds vehicle braked unexpectedly due to what seems to be a malfunction in the front collision warning radar. This resulted in a multiple near miss collisions coming from the rear, for many vehicles on i5 near woodburn or during high traffic times. The vehicle suddenly braked causing me to swerve off the road. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10980883, filed 2017-04, 50,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Soft brake pedal or reduced braking

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 75,117 mi at 5.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners describe a soft brake pedal that needs more force to stop, and brakes that do not fully work or start to pulsate. Some complaints point to a leaking brake booster, which an independent mechanic or the dealer identified as the problem. Other owners describe the car not slowing as expected when the brake pedal was pressed, and brake fade alongside a warning message. Where mileage is stated it ranges from 100,234 to 199,000 miles, and the complaints describe problems during ordinary braking, sometimes with no warning light.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake booster was inspected or replaced, and request records of any brake repairs. On a test drive, check that the pedal feels firm and that the brakes respond normally without warning lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Brake How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Car didn't stop upon pressing on the brake pedel. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11554257, filed 2023-11

   “The brake booster failed while driving and I almost got in an accident. The brakes did not fully work and started pulsating almost like if the antilock system engaged. The brake booster was leaking air around the piston that attaches to the brake pedal. You could hear the air leaking when the pedal was pressed. It has been repaired at he MB dealer for about $2300. There were no indications of a malfunction, no lights or errors showed up.”

   NHTSA complaint #11506040, filed 2023-02

Buying note. Ask the seller for records of fuel pump, oil cooler, and recall work, and confirm whether the spare tire well recall was completed. A pre-purchase inspection that checks for oil around the engine, moisture in the electronics and floor, and normal driver-assist and brake warnings can help.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.