2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350

Routine

Owners filed 35 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Mercedes-Benz ML350 years to avoid. Which Mercedes-Benz ML350 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
73,000 milesMedian miles at failure

28 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.

Most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems

5 of the 35 complaints (14%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering5
000
Seats4
011
Electrical System4
000
Air Bags · airbags4
202
Unknown or Other2
110
Service Brakes · brakes2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine2
000
Engine2
010
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 22, 2023CA

OEM jack failed without warning. No injuries but it could have been bad. Car got stuck and spinning wheels dug into a region of hard packed snow over a gravel driveway at my father's house. I was using the jack to lift the wheels out of their holes so I could fill the hole with chunks of wood. To spread the load on the snow the base of the jack was on a roughly 10" long piece of 2x4, which was placed on a roughly 8x10 inch piece of plywood. Jack worked fine for the first 2 wheels. On the 3rd wheel the "thrust washer" that transfers force from the nut that rides on the main screw, to the hinged arm which picks up the car, split in half without warning. This resulted in a sudden and complete failure of the jack, dropping the car back to it's starting position.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 3, 2021NJ

Hello my check engine light is on in my 2004 Mercedes ml350 so I took it to a Mercedes dealership for inspection and repairs. They kept my suv for 8 days and finally called me back and said they believe the check engine light is on because I need to replace my charcoal canister shut off valve. Now this component takes the gas vapors that has not been burned off and reroutes it through the charcoal canister and back into the engine so it can be burnt off and not enter the atmosphere and enter the inside of the vehicle. Well My suv has failed inspection for emissions and that’s why I brought it in to Mercedes. Well the service department at Mercedes called me 8 days later and said Mercedes does not make that part anymore. And no other aftermarket company makes it either. They charged me $200 to tell me they can’t fix it because the part is not made anymore. So am I safe ? Why Mercedes never recalled a vehicle that can not pass states emissions test. I wrote a letter to the head of Mercedes in Europe and the United States. They offered me $2,000 off of a new Mercedes or $1,000 off a Pre owned Mercedes. Sounds like they know something is not right here. So my complaint is can a car manufacturer stop producing a part that is needed to safely pass the emissions test and isn’t these fumes harmful to me and my family?

Air Bags
Filed Jun 14, 2020178,000 milesNJ

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE CAR HIT 170.000 MILES

Seats
Filed May 16, 2019100,000 milesNJ

FRONT SEATS GETS VERY HOT WHENEVER WE TURN ON THE SEAT WARMER OPTION. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN AT LEAST FROM 5 TO 6 MONTHS. WE ARE SCARED IT MIGHT BURN OUR BACKS. THANKS

Steering
Filed May 21, 2018162,000 milesGA

LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID COMING FROM HOSES, OR PIPE, OR SOME CONNECTION. I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WHEN I STARTED MY CAR ONLY TO HEAR A LOUD WHINING NOISE AND A HARD-TO-TURN STEERING WHEEL.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 18, 2017TX

DISCOVERED BRITTLE, BROKEN AND MISSING WIRING INSULATION ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT ALLOWED THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WIRES TO COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CREATING A SHORT.

Engine
Filed Dec 21, 201690,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT WAS TURNED AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE COLUMN. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Power Train
Filed Mar 17, 2016165,000 milesOR

TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

Electrical System
Filed Feb 21, 201696,000 milesTX

DURING A ROUTINE CHANGE OF A HEADLIGHT LAMP, THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DISCOVER THAT THE INSULATION ON ALL FOUR WIRES IN THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE CRACKED, DISINTEGRATING AND MISSING LEAVING THE BARE WIRES EXPOSED. THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WOULD NOT CHANGE THE BULB UNTIL A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS FABRICATED AND THE DISCREPANCY WAS CORRECTED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BARE WIRES ARE IN AN ENCLOSED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, CONTACTING FLAMMABLE MATERIALS. A SHORT IN THESE WIRES CAN LEAD TO SYSTEM FAILURES, OVERHEATING AND FIRE IN THE HEADLAMP AREA. RECOMMEND A RECALL FOR INSPECTION AND IF THIS DISCREPANCY IS DISCOVERED, RECOMMEND AN IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRES IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 201510,040 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SLOWING DOWN ON A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,040.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 24, 201567,000 milesOR

CAR SUDDENLY DEVELOPED EXTREME GASOLINE ODOR AFTER A BRIEF 20 MILE TRIP. CURSORY CHECK DID NOT IDENTIFY SOURCE. UPON RETURN TRIP, SAME EXTREME SICKENING ODOR RETURNED. UPON PULLING INTO GARAGE GASOLINE WAS VISIBLY POURING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND POOLING ON GROUND. IT LOOKED TO BE COMING DIRECTLY FROM GAS TANK AREA BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE MAIN SOURCE AS IT WAS SPRAYED THROUGHOUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE. ASIDE FROM THE NAUSEA, THIS CLEARLY POSED A SIGNIFICANT FIRE DANGER AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TRANSPORTED TO THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIR COSTS NOW. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER INCIDENTS OR EXTERNAL REASONS THAT MIGHT HAVE LED TO THIS (SUCH AS RUNNING OVER SOMETHING OR HITTING SOMETHING IN THE ROAD). AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN, AND CONTINUES TO BE EXPERIENCED BY OTHER OWNERS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

Steering
Filed Apr 14, 2015100,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE CLAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V465000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LEAKY STEERING FLUID REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED USING THE SAME REQUIREMENTS AS THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. *JS

EngineFire
Filed Feb 19, 2015117,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 1, 2014129,251 milesCA

SIDE-SWIPED ON THE FREEWAY. WITNESS STATE THE VEHICLE ROLLED 4-5 TIMES. NO FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 17, 201350,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET, I NOTICED THAT BRAKES HAD STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED THAT A CORRODED BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I HAD CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODING IN THE AREA CLOSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR BRAKE LINES TO CORRODE AND LEAK. I HAVE NOT NOTICED CORROSION ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR, EXCEPT THE BRAKE LINES. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 20, 201290,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES ML350. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NECESSARY TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 6, 201255,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 01/27/12 *BF

SeatsFire
Filed May 27, 201065,500 milesCO

MAY 2010 I HAVE PROBLEM IN MY 2004 ML350. MY WIFE TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER TO THE HIGH SETTING. WITHIN A SHORT TIME THE HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE IN A SMALL SPOT ( LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN) WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE IS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONLINE SEARCHES I DID FOR THE 03 AND 04 ML350. I SPOKE TO A BENZ ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND THAT IT IS A SHORT IN THE SEAT WIRING. HE SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HIM. I AM GOING TO CALL THE DEALER TODAY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 20, 2010104,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 ON PUBLIC STREET THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER WHILE MOVING AT 30 - 35 MPH. LOST BOTH POWER STEERING CONTROL AND POWER BRAKING ABILITY AS A RESULT. WAS ABLE TO AVOID COLLISIONS AND COASTED INTO AN OFF STREET AREA SAFELY. UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ( HIGH SPEED FREEWAY TRAVEL ) ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN CERTAIN. CAUSE DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY CRANK SENSOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VINTAGE VEHICLE AND CAME AS NO SURPRISE TO MY MECHANIC. THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE FRIGHTENING DRIVING EXPERIENCES THAT I'VE HAD AND AM GRATEFUL THAT IT DID NOT OCCUR WHEN MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE; SHE WOULD HAVE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING OR WHAT TO DO. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. IF IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE CLASSIFICATION OF A TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ISSUE THEN THE DOT NEEDS TO REEVALUATE WHAT ITS MISSION IS. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 12, 200961,500 milesNY

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, RESULTING IN OCCASIONAL HARD STEERING. THIS ALSO OCCURRED IN JANUARY AND APRIL. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND MERCEDES USA AND WERE TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE SEPTEMBER 2008 RECALL. *TR

Seats1 injured
Filed Apr 29, 2009102,000 milesOH

THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER OVER-HEATED AND CAUSED A MINOR BURN WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF REPLACEMENT BUT WOULD NOT GIVE THE DEFECTIVE PART BACK TO ME EVEN WHEN I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR IT. WHILE SEARCHING FOR MORE INFORMATION, I CAME ACROSS OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 29, 200961,000 milesGA

A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY SUV. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY LOST OF POWER STEERING FLUID UNTIL I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND I LATER CHECK THE AREA WHERE I HAD PARKED THE NIGHT BEFORE. I PARKED MY VEHICLE UNTIL I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON THE OTHER ML320, 2001 THAT I GOT RID OF THREE YEARS AGO. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 28, 200975,000 milesNY

SRS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS REMAIN ON. I WON'T BOTHER WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS BLOGS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A $750 SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES SHOULD SEEK RECOURSE WITH THEIR SUPPLIERS AND STAND BEHIND THEIR "WORLD-CLASS GERMAN ENGINEERING" AND MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS WHOLE. *TR

Seats
Filed Dec 31, 200873,000 milesNY

I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES ML350 SUV AND I TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND IT GOT SO HOT THAT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT BURNED SO HOT THAT I HAD TO MOVE MY BODY AND WEIGHT TO MY RIGHT SIDE BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE YOU WERE SITTING ON COALS - EVEN THROUGH THE LEATHER INTERIOR. I DID NOT USE IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE WEATHER WAS NOT THAT COLD. THE NEXT PERSON TO USE IT WAS MY MOTHER. SHE WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND I WAS NEXT TO HER AND SHE TURNED ON HER SEAT HEATER AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES SHE SCREAMED BECAUSE THE HEAT OF THE SEAT HEATER WAS SO PIERCING. I TURNED OFF THE HEATER IMMEDIATELY AND SHE LOOKED AND SAW SMOKE AND SMELLED SMOKE AS WELL. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD THAT I HAVE HEARD OTHER ML'S HAVE HAD AS WELL AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE SEAT HEATER SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, AS SHOULD MERCEDES!!! SHE SWERVED OFF THE ROAD AND ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE OF THE INTENSITY OF HEAT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 10, 200850,000 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING A MERCEDES ML350 ON THE ROAD, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART, THE STARTER CRANKED BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHEN I TRIED AGAIN AN HOUR LATER, THE ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, LATER IN THE DAY. IF I HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DANGEROUS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MERCEDES MECHANIC WHO IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG AND HE REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. HE SAID THAT THIS FREQUENTLY HAPPENS WITH THE ML350. *TR

Structure
Filed Jan 17, 200848,000 milesNV

VERY LARGE PIECES OF PLASTIC TRIM HAVE BLOWN OFF MY CAR ON THE INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT I SURMISE IT DID SOME DAMAGE TO THE CARS BEHIND ME AND MOST LIKELY COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE TRIM WAS NOT FASTENED ON SECURELY AT THE FACTORY. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Oct 24, 200754,000 milesMD

2004 ML 350 HAD SRS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH THAT DID NOT GO OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THIS COULD RESULT IN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT, OR UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD A SEAT RECOGNITION SENSOR WAS REQUIRED FOR $752. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A FAILURE OF A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL, AND PLACE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AT RISK, AFTER ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OF OPERATION. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND TEST AND REPLACE THE SENSORS/MODULES OR RELATED PARTS. *TR

Unknown or OtherCrashFire
Filed Jun 27, 200750,000 milesPA

A WOMAN RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. AFTER THE IMPACT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A DRIVER COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION YELLED OUT THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I SAW A BIG PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR AND IT IGNITED. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED THEY DETERMINED FROM THE AMOUNT OF FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR THAT THE DRIVER WAS NOT SPEEDING AND THAT THE IMPACT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE MY CAR TO CATCH FIRE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 23, 200624,695 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING A DOWNHILL BRAKING SITUATION, THERE WAS A HESITATION BETWEEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. THE HESITATION LASTED BETWEEN 2 AND 3 SECONDS, AND THERE WAS NO RPM INCREASE DURING THAT PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT THE TIME.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 2006CA

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWSUIT TO REPLACE MY 04 ML 350 ON THE BASIS OF SAFETY. THE ENGINE FAILED 18 TIMES ON THE ROAD (IN ADDITION TO ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS). WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA USA--2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 - LIST PROBLEMS AND MUCH TIME SPENT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT-- 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 IS THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. IT HAS SPENT HALF OF ITS LIFE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HERE IS A OF MY PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PAST 28 MONTHS: 1.THE ENGINE OF CAR SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE 2. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS TURNS ON AND AFTER THAT IS SHUT DOWN. AGAIN THE CAR IS AUTOMATIC. IT TURNS OFF 3.THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON AND OF INTERMITTENTLY- WITH OUT REASON 4.DIAGNOSE HAVE PROBLEM 5.ETS FAILED 6.BRAKE PADS, FRONT, INCLUDE FRONT ROTORS REPLACED 7.STALLED TWICE 8.PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED 9.CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE 10.GPS NOT WORKING 11.CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE (SECOND TIME) 12.BRAKE PADS, FRONT & REAR, INCLUDE FRONT & REAR ROTORS (SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 8K MILES) 13.REAR WIPER WASHER CONTAINER LEAKING 14.NAVIGATION SYSTEM LCD SCREEN FLICKERING 15.BAD BATTERY ALL OF THESE ABOVE MAKE US TERRIBLE- THE CAR BRING AT HOME ONLY 27 MONTH BUT HAVE TO STAY IN THE SHOP FOR 18X TIMES WE DI

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 15, 2006MD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. MERCEDES REPRESENTATIVE GREED TO PAY FOR 2 TIRES, 4 MOUNTINGS AND ALIGNMENT. THEY REFUSED ANY PAYMENT AFTER REMOVING TIRES FROM THE RIMS. ADVISED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD PUT OLD TIRES BACK ON. THE CONTACT SPENT 5 HOURS SITTIING AND WAITING. THEY INSTALLED THE NEW TIRES, BUT CONTACT PAID FRO ALL $1,035. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 30, 200529,350 milesNY

DT: THE CONTAC TOWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ WITH 26,933 MILES ON IT THAT CUTS OFF WHEN HE HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. ON THE SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALER A NEW HARNESS WAS PLACED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AFTER FOUR DAYS AND CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF. NO LIGHTS HAD COME ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THOUGHT THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL PUMP. STARK AQUARIUM PRODUCTS INC. IS THE NAME OF THE COMPANY AND THE VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN THE COMPANY'S NAME. THE ADDRESS IS: 2914 122ND ST. COLLEGE POINT, NY 11354 *SC *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 22, 2005NY

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MERCEDES BENZ 350 ALONG ROUTE 1 IN NEW JERSEY, WITHOUT HEARING OR FEELING ANYTHING, MY GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED. WHEN I STOPPED I SAW A PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A STEADY FLOW OF GAS FROM UNDER MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPARATMENT CAME AND THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY. THE ENTIRE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE SINCE MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMS THAT FUEL TANKS ARE NOT THE SUBJECT OF ANY WARRANTY AND IF THEY ARE PUNCTURED IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AN OEM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THEIR FUEL TANKS DO NOT SPRING LEAKS DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE DECIDED TO TOSS A LIT MATCH OR CIGARETTE OUT THEIR WINDOW AS I DROVE BY WITH GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER WHO FIXED THE CAR TO SAVE THE DEFECTIVE TANK AND IT CAN BE SENT TO YOU UPON YOUR REQUEST.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 9, 2004TX

NHTSA 04V296000 CONCERNING SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT. AFTER HAVING THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACED THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK *TC

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Oct 14, 200411,000 milesFL

CRACK IN FRON BUMPER WITH NO OTHER DISCERNIBLE DAMAGE. ALL LIGHTS AND CASINGS IN TACT WITH NO MARKINGS TO INDICATE CRASH.*AK

All 35 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201552500Routine
201468420Routine
201357530Routine
201265410Routine
2011111330Do not drive
2010101320Do not drive
200993360Do not drive
200867260Do not drive
2007832250Do not drive
20061722190Do not drive
200523030Routine
2004 — this page35030Routine
200325040Routine
20011000Routine

Compare every ML350 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.