AI Damage2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250: common problems
Owners of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250 filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 40% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- Engine: 4 complaints (40% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Forward collision avoidance: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
On 8/15/23 on my parking explode air bag , completely make me blind.Nader air bag push my legs from brake and Car still was driving and stop a the wall, I was completely blind, destroyed my car ,Pain my legs , my arms my head incrediblo,my body is all blue, Thanks to God I am still life.
The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was unable to control the vehicle and drove into a ditch. The contact stated all 4 air bags deployed. The contact stated his wife sustained a bruise from the seat belt but did not seek any medicinal attention.
Rear subframe rusted from the inside out causing structural failure. This matches the defect in Campaign #[phone] for other Mercedes models."
The contact stated that the engine developed a diesel fuel leak over the motor, which ran across the engine. The motor was soaked with diesel fuel. Also, while driving, there was an odor of fuel inside the vehicle.
At about 50,000 miles, noticed engine leaking oil ehilr car was stationary. Diagnosed at dealership as " oil seal" and repaired. Only to leak again 2 months later. Replaced again at dealership. Was told its not normal but it can happen.
Later that night, the contact entered the vehicle and the moon roof exploded. The vehicle was taken to tysinger motor co ([address] suite b, hampton, [ZIP], [phone]) where no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz ml250. The contact stated that the collision prevention assistance feature failed to function properly and the vehicle failed to stop several times. The contact applied extreme force to the brake pedal and almost experienced a crash due to an internal or electrical failure.
Was driving on road when vehicle started surging, like out of fuel, went down road a little further and it happened again .this time I smelled strong diesel fuel fumes. Smoke starting coming out from under hood. . I pulled off road and shut car off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (20%), oil leak or consumption (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2015 models
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 2026-11-06.