2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine621.4%
- Steering621.4%
- Interior & seats414.3%
- Transmission310.7%
- Brakes27.1%
- Powertrain (other)27.1%
- Exterior lighting13.6%
- Fuel system13.6%
- Body & structure13.6%
- Other / unspecified13.6%
- Heating & air conditioning13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ODOR OF SMOKE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DARK SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH FLAMES THAT CAME FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,400.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I had went to a car wash & when I was leaving & turned right at the light my door flew open & few days later my steering wheel started to get hard to turn & it had started leaking bad .i had my kids in the car when both incident happened. Didn’t notify my insurance or police .
BOUGHT THE 2005 ML350 USED LAST SUMMER (2010). IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPED, THE ACCELERATION SEEMED TO DROP LOW ENOUGH TO MAKE THE VEHICLE STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEAR. ALSO, WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WILL STALL AND I WILL HAVE TO KEEP RETRYING TO START IT AND PRESS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO GET IT TO FINALLY START. (ONLY USE THE RECOMMENDED OCTANE SUGGESTIONS FROM THE MERCEDES BOOKLET, AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS DURING FUELING) FINALLY, SEEMS TO POSSIBLY HAVE A STEERING FLUID LEAK. (ONLY USE MERCEDES POWER STEERING FLUID FROM DEALERSHIP). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I had went to a car wash & when I was leaving & turned right at the light my door flew open & few days later my steering wheel started to get hard to turn & it had started leaking bad .i had my kids in the car when both incident happened. Didn’t notify my insurance or police .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WARMER HAD OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT ELEMENT WARMER AND THE SEAT PAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. *TR
2005 MERCEDES ML 350 VEHICLE JUMPS WHEN COMING TO A STOP THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT GOING TOO DEALERSHIP CAN NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM, FELLS LIKE TRANSMISSION . VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE NOV 8 2006 PLEASE HELP !!!!!!!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brake warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that her husband depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle and had to apply added pressure to the brake pedal, with the brake pedal extending to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained stuck on the floorboard. The contact’s husband shifted into park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
THE CUP HOLDER ON ML 350 MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT DESIGN WELL I GOT BAD BURN SEVERAL TIMES BY PLACING COFFEE IN CUP HOLDER ,I TALK WITH MERCEDES BENZ PEOPLE MENTIONED TO SORRY YOU HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE DIFFERENT CUP HOLDER ,ALSO ON HAND BRAKE DOESN'T WORK AFTER SEVERAL TIME USED,DOESN'T RELEASE CAR MADE REALLY CHEAP DESIGN AND HIGH PRICE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
OCCASSIONALLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLS IN GEAR,THAT IS THE GEAR SHIFT DOESN'T WORK AND THE VEHICLESTAYS IN ONE GEAR EVEN WHILE MOVING.USUALLY THE DRIVER HAS TO STOP BRIEFLY SHIFTS THE GEAR TO ANOTHER GEAR AND THEN STARTS AGAIN.IN A FEW SECONDS WWE CAN DRIVE AGAIN.UNTIL THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN PERHAPS IN A FEW MONTHS OR SO.THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION MORE GENERALLY ON CITY STREET.THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN FROM THE VERY MOMENT I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WITHIN TWO HOURS OF DRIVING AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SINCE
BOUGHT THE 2005 ML350 USED LAST SUMMER (2010). IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPED, THE ACCELERATION SEEMED TO DROP LOW ENOUGH TO MAKE THE VEHICLE STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEAR. ALSO, WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WILL STALL AND I WILL HAVE TO KEEP RETRYING TO START IT AND PRESS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO GET IT TO FINALLY START. (ONLY USE THE RECOMMENDED OCTANE SUGGESTIONS FROM THE MERCEDES BOOKLET, AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS DURING FUELING) FINALLY, SEEMS TO POSSIBLY HAVE A STEERING FLUID LEAK. (ONLY USE MERCEDES POWER STEERING FLUID FROM DEALERSHIP). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON STOPPING THE MERCEDES BENZ ML350 SHOOK AND THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2005 MODEL.*AK UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THEREAS MOISTURE IN THE TAILLIGHT. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON 3/14/15 THE CAR HAD TROUBLE STARTING. I MANAGED TO REACH HOME. NEXT MORNING ON 3/15/15 I BACKED CAR OUT OF GARAGE - HAD THE SAME PROBLEM STARTING CAR. AFTER PARKING CAR IN GARAGE, I SUDDENLY NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE LEFT PASSENGER SEAT TO THE GARAGE FLOOR. ON 3/16/15 MORNING I CALLED UP MERCEDES BENZ ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD COME PARTIALLY OFF THE FUEL FILTER. IT WAS RECONNECTED BUT I WAS TOLD IT COULD COME OFF. THIS IS A CAR MY SPOUSE DRIVES AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE DRIVE VARIOUS AUTOMOBILES SINCE I FIRST CAME TO THE USA IN DECEMBER 1974 AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
COMMERCIAL MACK TRUCK DOT #[XXX] DRIVER NAME [XXX] MD TAG [XXX]TRUCK VIN #[XXX] COMMERCIAL ENTERED MD RT FIVE NORTH AT 1:30 PM AND HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROCKS WERE FALLING FROM LOWER EDGE BETWEEN TAILGATE AND BODY OF TRUCK BED. MAJOR FALLING DEBRIS CAUSED HEAVY DAMAGE TO OUR WINDSHIELD AND FRONT PAINT ON HOOD AND BUMPER. WE NOW HAVE NUMEROUS CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE TO FRONT END BODY AND PAINT. WE ATTEMPTED TO CATCH UP TO TRUCK TO NOTIFY DRIVER BUT THE EXTREMELY HEAVY AMOUNT OF FALLING ROCKS PREVENTED BEING ABLE TO CATCH UP TO DRIVER SAFELY. EXTREMELY UPSET DRIVER FAILED TO SAFELY SECURE LOAD CAUSING EXTREMELY UNSAFE ROAD CONDITIONS AND DAMAGE TO OTHER FOLLOWING VEHICLES. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE AMOUNT OF ROCKS FALLING FROM THIS TRUCK FOR THE DRIVER TO NOT BE AWARE OF IT, MY TWO CENTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CUP HOLDER ON ML 350 MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT DESIGN WELL I GOT BAD BURN SEVERAL TIMES BY PLACING COFFEE IN CUP HOLDER ,I TALK WITH MERCEDES BENZ PEOPLE MENTIONED TO SORRY YOU HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE DIFFERENT CUP HOLDER ,ALSO ON HAND BRAKE DOESN'T WORK AFTER SEVERAL TIME USED,DOESN'T RELEASE CAR MADE REALLY CHEAP DESIGN AND HIGH PRICE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS WARM AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY LOCATED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE POWERTRAIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .