2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 Owner Complaints

Engine died and won't run. Known issue with MB balance shaft that they refuse to repair or help with the cost of a $8k job. Highly disappointed.

NHTSA ID

11683622

Incident

Aug 27, 2025

unknown

NHTSA ID

11522874

Incident

May 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11500853

Incident

May 9, 2022

Cooper Tire Evolution 245/65R17 - Tire Tread Separation - the entire tread out layer came off of the driver side front tire while driving on the freeway - the tire was not deflated - the entire tread hit the driver side mirror breaking it completely off - hitting driver window and deploying all airbags on driver side of the vehicle. The tire itself still was fully aired and full circle entire outer layer of tread was off of the tire. Caused vehicle damage - Personal Injury

NHTSA ID

11482707

Incident

Sep 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11466726

Incident

May 31, 2022

back sit the seat belt locks in place and it does not lose its locked mechanics. I have found that several people are having the same problem. here is a link to a website Video describing the problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwZmUSWNOlk. I have found the problem is a small baring locking the belt. Please let me know if you need more info. As of now we are down to a 2 back passenger car or 3 but one without a belt - no good. I do think this qualifies as a safety issue - What if it had locked and harm one of my kids? I had lower the seat and I was not able to pull it up until I disabled the mechanics and neutralized the belt - that should not be the case - specially since many others are having the same problem. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11455524

Incident

Mar 7, 2022

safety defect rear sam acting up after rain . no lights no fuel gauge no remote no turn signal while driving almost had an accident

NHTSA ID

11446311

Incident

Jan 2, 2022

My NHTSA #11431874 I have made a complaint about my back computer was damage by water where the is installed on the right side of my car now I found out that the reason my chairs are not moving is because the electrical is also damage this is so unfair the problem is not my car but the ways and place they installed the computer??

NHTSA ID

11432654

Incident

Sep 12, 2021

The back computer seat on the top of the was supposed to be draining out of the car instead the water retrain in the cause damage to my the computer I complained about it but never got a solution until the water damage the and saw for the first time where was the water on back of my car this was careless why put computer on the top of water that caused the damage and problem for my car?

NHTSA ID

11431874

Incident

Aug 26, 2021

smells badly for gas in cabin and outside

NHTSA ID

11424381

Incident

Apr 12, 2021

THIS VEHICLE HAS MAJOR PROBLEM WITH REAR SAM AND SEAT NO POWER. EVER SINCE THIS ML WAS MADE 10 CAR I HAD WAS BOUGHT SAM AND NO POWER TO THE SEAT FRONT

NHTSA ID

11402808

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

Mileage

35 mi

SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE. WHEN THE SUSPENSION IS FAULTY, SOMETIMES THE CAR IS STUCK DOWN- NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO RISE SO WHENEVER I DRIVE THROUGH A SPEED BUMP, MY CAR SCRUMPS/SCRATCHES THE BUMP. I HAVE TO FIX IT TWICE OR MORE EVERY YEAR AND IT IS QUITE FRUSTRATING. I WOULD APPRECIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THIS AS THIS IS CAUSING FINANCIAL STRAIN ON ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327399

Incident

May 5, 2020

Mileage

113,000 mi

MY POWER STEERING PIN BROKE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SAME EXACT THING AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED

NHTSA ID

10980173

Incident

Apr 22, 2017

Mileage

154,000 mi

NHTSA 08V682000 DEFECT IN POWER STEERING OIL PRESSURE DRIVING PIN. THE NHTSA SHOULD REEVALUATE ACCEPTING MERCEDES BENZ UNDERESTIMATING OF THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES THAT WERE EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THERE ARE STILL VEHICLES THAT ARE LOOSING POWER STEERING PRESSURE DUE TO THE DRIVING PIN THAT IS USED TO CONTROL POWER STEERING OIL PRESSURE BEING DEFECTIVE AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS. THE PIN BREAKS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE TURNING SO THE STEERING ASSIST WILL NO LONGER OPERATE EFFECTIVELY IT ALSO CAUSES OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE HARD STEERING DEFECT AS A RESULT OF THE PIN BREAKING. WHEN DRIVING COLD THE VEHICLE HAS POWER STEERING AVAILABLE, WHEN WARM VEHICLE LOOSES POWER STEERING, FLUID IS CIRCULATING IN POWER STEERING PUMP AND PRESSURE CHECKS FINE. AS A RESULT DUE TO HARD STEERING LEAKS DEVELOP DUE TO POWER STEERING PRESSURES VARIANCES IN THE STEERING SYSTEM OVER TIME A FIRE AND OTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEMS CAN ARISE. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING SOUND FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL NOT DUE TO TIE RODS.

NHTSA ID

10950266

Incident

Feb 17, 2016

Mileage

105,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. I HAD AN AUTO COLLISION IN 2008, WHERE VEHICLE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY (AAA) PAID $40,000.00 FOR REPAIRS. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T ACTIVATE. MAYBE I SHOULD THANK THE LORD, IT DIDN'T ACTIVATE.

NHTSA ID

10863261

Incident

Oct 24, 2008

Mileage

4,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10748023

Incident

Aug 6, 2014

LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT.. ONCE PULLED OUT, THEY DO NOT RETRACT.. LOOKING ON MERCEDES FORUMS, THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES FAILS TO ADDRESS.. *TR

NHTSA ID

10573770

Incident

Mar 17, 2014

Mileage

80,000 mi

ON TWO OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC/OPERATIONTHE ENGINE STALLED ON TURNING THE CAR. ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO UNBLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMED THE INCIDENT -A DID NEVER HAPPEN AND B-COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

NHTSA ID

10453355

Incident

Feb 13, 2012

Mileage

51,355 mi