NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
35 reports102,000 miles · Apr 29, 2009
SeatsInjury
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10267287
61,000 miles · Jan 29, 2009
Steering
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10256705
75,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Air Bags
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 ENGINEERIN…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10256554
73,000 miles · Dec 31, 2008
Seats
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 WEATHE…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10253406
50,000 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
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, …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10241718
48,000 miles · Jan 17, 2008
Structure
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
NHTSA ODI #10215292
54,000 miles · Oct 24, 2007
Air Bags
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10206819
50,000 miles · Jun 27, 2007
Unknown Or OtherCrashFire
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 M…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10194750
24,695 miles · Aug 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
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.
NHTSA ODI #10166340
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
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…
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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 DID CONTACT A MB MARKET FOR REQUEST ABOUT THE RECALL AND REPLACE FOR US BUT THEY DENIED IT. NOW I HAVE GO TO LOOKING SOMEBODY HELP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10165343