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Mercedes-Benz ML550Model year report

2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by steering (4) and air bags (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 78 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “On two occasion while the vehicle was in traffic/operationthe engine stalled on turning the car. Engine had to be restarted in order to unblock the steering wheel and restart the engine. This is a certified vehicle and mercedes benz claimed the incident -a did never happen and b-could not be duplicated.”

NHTSA complaint #10453355, filed 2012-03, 51,355 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz ML550. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and force was applied. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was diagnosed however, not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v682000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10748023, filed 2015-08

Air bags: “Takata recall. I had an auto collision in 2008, where vehicle front had to be replaced. My insurance company (aaa) paid $40,000.00 for repairs. The airbags didn't activate. Maybe I should thank the lord, it didn't activate.”

NHTSA complaint #10863261, filed 2016-05, 4,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11500853, filed 2023-01

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,355 and 105,000 miles.

29%0–100%10–250%25–5014%50–7514%75–10029%100–15014%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2014201620204202242025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ML-Class · sedan AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 17.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2008 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ML550 4matic 4WD/AWD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic131815$5,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 78 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 78 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML550

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201168,0003—15—Not enough data
20081880,0002—15—Falling

All Mercedes-Benz ML550 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by steering with 4.

Has the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 (ML550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 51,355 and 105,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.