AI DamageMercedes-Benz M Class: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz M Class across 10 model years: 86 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 26% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- Steering: 22 complaints (26% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 15 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 10 complaints (12% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 86 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While pulling into a parking spot in a shopping center and going about 5 miles per hour, suddenly the accelerator went to the floor and I crashed into 2 cars. Luckily, I was not hurt and the damage to the 3 cars was slight bumper damage. I called the police and made a report.
Engine runs rough, idles like it is going to die, car surges forward while moving or stopped, dash warning lights on/off, rough gear shifting or won't shift, electrical problems, gas tank/gauge problems, lock/windows powered when car off, dash lighting goes in/out, headlight/brake lights burn out quickly, electrical,…
I was hit on the passenger door side on 8/6/05 by a car running a red light. My car was hit so hard it rolled over resting on it's roof. No air bags deployed, not even side ones. I called mb-usa to complain. They didn't seem concerned about the event.
The vehicle lurched forward when her foot was first taken off the brake. On august 9, 2005 the consumer was pulling into the garage with her foot on the brake and the vehicle surged forward. She stated she could hear the motor surging.
Just as reported in consumer reports, electrical systems failed on this vehicle causing all safety systems (ie., brake assist, safety belts, air bags) to fail. The problem caused two accidents last year when the 4,400 lb. Vehicle could not stop. Other electrical systems are also failing.
The car is 6 months old and has been back to the dealership twice for a problem I believe was the beginning of this, I.e., when I would step on the brake it would go to stall, buck forward and then be ok. The dealership was unable to find it or duplicate it. I have seen where other people are having this same problem.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.