Skip to content
Mercedes-Benz ML550Model year report

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
32 do-not-drive
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl 4WD · 13 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 67 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the vacuum and 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Example complaints

Brakes: “The break line in the rear locate right above the gas tank is corroded by rust due to the clip is holding the break line allows the moisture to accumulate. The car will lose its break completely when this happens. There is no way for the car owner to inspect this problem until the car has no break power.”

NHTSA complaint #11465108, filed 2022-05

Electrical system: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,047 and 50,000 miles.

67%0–100%10–250%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201120142201722022
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 2011 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 · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 17.9% risk
ML-Class · SUV RWDnot rated———4 · 17.4% risk

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 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 4WD5.5L 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 2011 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. 67 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 67 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,000 miles and the middle half falls between 2,047 and 50,000 miles; 67% 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.