Mercedes-Benz ML550 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML550 (2008–2011) that have at least 5 complaints. 2008 has the most, with 18. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (6 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All ML550 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | 8,000 | 3 | 67 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 18 | 80,000 | 2 | 78 | — | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system6 24%
- Steering5 20%
- Air bags4 16%
- Brakes3 12%
- Seat belts2 8.0%
- Other or unknown2 8.0%
- Exterior lighting2 8.0%
- Wheels1 4.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2008: “Since I purchased the car, the suspension has been a major issue. When the suspension is faulty, sometimes the car is stuck down- not allowing the car to rise so whenever I drive through a speed bump, my car scrumps/scratches the bump. I have to fix it twice or more every year and it is quite frustrating. I would appreciate investigation into this as this is causing financial strain on me and my family.”
NHTSA complaint #11327399, filed 2020-06, 113,000 miles2011: “Yesterday, I was driving our 2011 mercedes ML550 on a california highway, and suddenly lost my brake lights, turn signal lights and reverse lights, due to a rodent eating the wiring of the car. This is the second time this year a rodent has eaten the wiring of this car. 4 months ago a rodent ate the main wiring loom and the repair cost $1000. We have owned 5 different mercedes benz models over the last 7 years. The wiring for each of these cars has been eaten by rodents more than once and caused us thousands of dollars worth of damage (obviously not covered under warranty). …”
NHTSA complaint #10416657, filed 2011-08, 8,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaints
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. Methodology