2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350

Do not drive

Owners filed 67 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
72,000 milesMedian miles at failure

52 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering22
000
Electrical System9
020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
000
Seats3
032
Engine3
010
Unknown or Other2
000
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate2
000
Structure › Body2
200
Seat Belts2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
001

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum24V298000Do not drive
Filed Apr 26, 202415,604 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum22V315000Do not drive
Filed May 9, 2022350,294 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Apr 17, 2024AZ

See attached document for complaint

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 16, 2022NY

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, he was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer for 2 months. The contact later received the recall notification. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and advised the contact that parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 8, 2022CT

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 17, 2022MS

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 7, 2022FL

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Steering
Filed Mar 29, 202238,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond as designed. The contact drove the vehicle safely off the road. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of a power steering rack leak. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V682000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 8, 2020MN

REAR LEFT AND RIGHT PASSENGER SEATBELT MECHANISMS (RETRACTING FUNCTION) ARE DEFECTIVE; BELTS DON'T WANT TO RETRACT BACK IN AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN PULLED OUT/USED

SeatsFire1 injured
Filed Feb 19, 2020167,000 milesMN

AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR AND TURNING ON THE SEAT HEATERS WE NOTICED A STRONG BURNING SMELL. WE HAD JUST ENTERED A SLIP ROAD AND MY WIFE (WHO WAS DRIVING) FELT A BURNING IN HER LOWER LEFT SIDE. NEXT THING... SHE WAS ON FIRE! HER WINTER COAT BUST INTO FLAMES AND AFTER PULLING OVER I GRABBED HER OUT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT AND ROLLED HER IN THE SNOW TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, WE WERE AMAZED THAT THE SEAT HAD A LARGE BURN HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER AND THAT THERE WASN'T ANY SAFETY SHUT OFF FOR THE SEAT HEATER INITIATED BY THE VEHICLE. AFTER A DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED,WE WERE TOLD THAT A $2578 REPAIR WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM... WE WERE AMAZED AT HOW UNCARING THEY WERE AND THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL ACTIVE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE WIRING PROBLEM. WE WERE RELIEVED THAT THIS DIDN'T CAUSE ANY FATALITIES TO US OR ANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED IF WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A FREEWAY AT A HIGHER SPEED.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 2019AZ

FAULTY WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WIRING COMMONLY ARCS CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. MERCEDES HAS OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ADDRESS IT ON THE ML350'S. THEY EVEN MADE A PART TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEMAND CAR OWNERS PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MERCEDES FAULTY WIRING PROBLEM.

Steering
Filed Jan 10, 2019PA

STEERING WHEEL GET HARD THEN SOFT ON TURN CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND SAID ITS THE RACK & PINION I LOOK ONLINE FOR RECALL THIER IS ONE FOR STEERING RACK SO I CALL THE DEALER THEY SAID MINE IS NOT

Steering
Filed Aug 23, 201878,000 milesNJ

MILEAGE 80K AND A STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN PIN. I SEE A RECALL 2008120011 AND FOLLOWING THE DOCUMENTATION THIS VIN QUALIFIES FOR IT BUT THE MB DEALER IS SAYING THAT THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL FOR THIS CAR.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 9, 201895,000 milesMD

2008 MERCEDES ML 350 BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO SEND AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT SOMETIMES THEY ARE AND SOMETIMES THEY AREN'T ITS ISN'T THE LIGHT BULB AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR. WATER CONTINUES TO LEAK IN THROUGH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT DAMAGING THE SAM UNIT

Electrical System
Filed Aug 2, 2018110,000 milesFL

DUE TO A FAULTY RIGHT TAILLAMP SEAL, WATER GOT INTO A CONTROL MODULE AND DAMAGED IT BEYOND REPAIR. I WOKE UP AND WALKED OUTSIDE TO SEE MY HEADLIGHTS FLASHING AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION MY KEY FOB NOT WORKING, SRS DISABLED, AND MANY OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DISABLED. SOME TIME BEFORE THIS, THE MOTOR TO THE REAR HATCH STOPPED WORKING, POSSIBLY FOR THE SAME REASON.

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jun 7, 2018150,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED STEERING FLUID, WHICH MADE THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR ABOVE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND APPROACHING A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONTACTED AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF JACKSONVILLE, 10231 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225), BUT NO REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 4, 2018TX

BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT. TWO DAYS LATER THE BATTERY CAUSED A FIRE INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION AT THE TIME

Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2017121,000 milesNY

MONDAY MORNING, JULY 24, 2017 THERE WERE TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS IN THE EARLY MORNING LEAVING LOTS OF STANDING WATER ON ROADWAYS. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND GOING THROUGH STANDING WATER ON ROADWAYS, CAR LOST POWER AND THEN ENGINE STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND CAME TO A SAFE RESTING PLACE. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS STRANDED WITH AN INOPERATIVE VEHICLE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 7, 2017112,110 milesPR

THE INSULATION OF THE CABLES FOR THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM IS MISSING.THE WIRES ARE WITHOUT ANY INSULATION AT ALL.I CAN NOT USE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE I'M AFRAID OF A SHORT .OTHER WISE, I CAN USE THE CAR AS LONG AS I DON'T TURN THE FRONT LIGHTS ON.

Steering
Filed Nov 17, 201690,000 milesCA

STEERING FEELS WEIRD

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Jul 6, 201623,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE SEAL OF THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V076000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 1, 201664,745 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND A SQUEALING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE AND THE POWER STEERING CONTROL HEAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,745.

20 of 67 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201552500Routine
201468420Routine
201356530Routine
201265410Routine
2011110330Do not drive
2010101320Do not drive
200993360Do not drive
2008 — this page67260Do not drive
2007832250Do not drive
20061722190Do not drive
200523030Routine
200435030Routine
200325040Routine
20011000Routine

Compare every ML350 year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

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.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 26, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.