AI Damage2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63 filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
- Engine: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 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 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 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.
Vehicle in motion on freeway, lost power and several cars ran off the road to avoid my vehicle as it suddenly lost power and slowed down without warning. Vehicle sat and could not be driven faster then 25 miles as it was stuck in limp mode (unable to get out of first gear).
Loss of all brakes diagnose corroded/rusted brake pipe at center left of vehicle
While my wife was driving our 2009 mercedes benz ml63, at approx 65 mph, on the 101 loop in scottsdale az, she experienced complete engine failure. The engine completely shut down on her. She luckily was able to coast over two lanes to her right to an exit ramp.
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 17,152 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ML63 has 2 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 3, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (33%), loss of power / limp mode (33%), rust, corrosion (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63?
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 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63 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 2009 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.