AI Damage2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and seats. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 44% of all complaints
- 2 Seats 28% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 16% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 4% of all complaints
- Steering: 11 complaints (44% of all).
- Seats: 7 complaints (28% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 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 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 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.
The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 175,000.
I recently had to replace the power steering pump, reseviour, and hose after loosing control while driving on the highway. Immediately after refilling with fluid all the contents ran right out. I do see that there was a recall for this problem in 2008, but I did not take ownership of this vehicle until 2/15.
The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the power steering pump assembly twice but the failure recurred. The steering wheel was extremely tight and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
Random loss of power ' (the entire panel lights up) as the car suddenly and slowly powers off while taking off from a drop, driving, breaking, and turning, coming to a stop and on the highway. In the past 6 months we have spent more than 3800.00 for car repair on the ml 350. It shuts off more and more frequently.
Within the past 8 months I have taken my car to the dealership four times with the issue relating engine shut off and check engine light comes on. I was told the crankshaft needed to be replaced two times and as of today the problems remains.
Front drivers side seat, burns when heater is turned on. Burn smell, burned skin of driver. Has there been a recall on this. I have read of many instances of this same complaint on the internet. Mercedes needs to replace seat.
When turned on, the seat warmer in this vehicle is extremely hot, I have received a slight burn and I notice a burning smell. There has not been property damage or a fire (to my knowledge, there may be under the seat cover) only because I have turned the seat warmer off in time.
13, 2008 around 8:20 am, my mom, who was driving the car, smelled smoke and saw smoke and a small fire from the side of her seat. She could not have pulled over quickly because of traffic. She turned off the seat warmer.
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 7,448 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ML350 has 68 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 25, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, seats, electrical system. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (32%), smoke, burning smell, fire (16%), loss of power / limp mode (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
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 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 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 2003 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 2026-11-05.