RoadVitals

2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Feb 5, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

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.

6
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10873704 · filed Jun 10, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID 10386751 · filed Mar 7, 2011

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.

6
reports

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 .

NHTSA ID 11641011 · filed Feb 5, 2025

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

NHTSA ID 10424590 · filed Sep 10, 2011

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.

4
reports

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 .

NHTSA ID 11641011 · filed Feb 5, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID 10504357 · filed Mar 25, 2013

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10381379 · filed Feb 9, 2011

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

NHTSA ID 10297893 · filed Jan 3, 2010

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11533491 · filed Jul 20, 2023

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

NHTSA ID 10372508 · filed Dec 27, 2010

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11015199 · filed Aug 14, 2017

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

NHTSA ID 10424590 · filed Sep 10, 2011

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10168357 · filed Sep 15, 2006

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10695162 · filed Mar 18, 2015

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10745375 · filed Jul 31, 2015

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10372508 · filed Dec 27, 2010

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 10201799 · filed Sep 4, 2007

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

Data on this page last refreshed .