AI DamageMercedes-Benz ML350: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz ML350 across 14 model years: 953 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 21% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 7% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 197 complaints (21% of all), 17 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 158 complaints (17% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 122 complaints (13% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 101 complaints (11% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 95 complaints (10% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 953 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 197 | 17 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 158 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 122 | 3 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 101 | 12 | 0 |
| Steering | 95 | 8 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 84 | 15 | 0 |
| Seats | 67 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 48 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 47 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 42 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 41 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 38 | 9 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 29 | 12 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 20 | 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.
Within two months of this purchase, I experienced two flat tires in which both times I had to pay $87 and some change. Addtionally, within a year, two of the tires became bald, indicating premature wear.
an Exhaust recycle hose cracked; causing cabin to fill with carbon dioxide. Driver, (me) became disorented.. ran off right shoulder, ran into center divider cement, before rearending truck. Engine light later came on indicating (HVOC?) ERROR Mechanic was able to locate leak and repair. Vehicle now performing properly.
The result of the incident totaled my vehicle, took out two transformers and a light pole, and costed me a careless operation ticket, the storage and towing of the vehicle from the incident, to the tow yard, then back home, as well as paying the ticket and having to pay the dmv.
The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact then stated that she received NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic).
The doctors prescribed pain medicine No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed a lot where it was deemed totaled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
On March 6, during a moving traffic accident that totaled both cars, the air bags failed to deploy, resulting in injury to the driver (me).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- 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.