Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

118 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
10

Most reports here involve rollaway. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

rollaway 3fluid leaks 2transmission slipping 2
A recent report: My vehicle jerks back and forth at low acceleration, and it often goes into limp mode which makes the vehicle only drive at around 20 mph at most. I was on the highway, when this happened. I have a…
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My vehicle jerks back and forth at low acceleration, and it often goes into limp mode which makes the vehicle only drive at around 20 mph at most. I was on the highway, when this happened. I have a 722.9 transmission, and this is a common problem. Why is the snapping recalled? I have had a checked with Mercedes-Benz of music City when I had gotten my recall work done, and they said that it just needs a whole new transmission. They said that they had never seen an issue like this. They want $16,000. I have been reading and reading and reading I don't know how they have not seen the issue when it's very very common. Again my question is, why has this not been recalled? There are soldering issues for a speed solenoid sensor, and the TCU it makes it go bad. What is going on, and why has this issue not been addressed? I have two toddlers that I drive in my vehicle every single day. God forbid we're not so lucky next time. The only reason why we did not get hit this time, is because we were on the highway at a slow hour of the day. My son is disabled and we are on the highway and in the car a whole lot. If this happens during rush hour, we will be no doubt smacked into by another vehicle.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11585077 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
16

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1sudden stalling 1
A recent report: I believe the electrical system may be defective as ever since I have had it the light bulbs frequently have to be changed. We own three vehicles in my households (the other 2 are non-Mercedes) and…
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I believe the electrical system may be defective as ever since I have had it the light bulbs frequently have to be changed. We own three vehicles in my households (the other 2 are non-Mercedes) and none of my other vehicles do this. The latest issue with the electrical system is that the rear tail lamp and power lift gate. I was told there was water that was getting in from somewhere but mechanic could not find where. I need a new SAM module and that is why my power lift gate motor does not work. As I did some research online, the same exact problem was recalled on a the same model but the 2009 model and I have the 2011 model. I believe my car should be part of the same recall which I believe is Mercedes recall number 2009030003. That appears to be a faulty seal around the rear tail lamp assembly. I believe this is a manufacturer's defect that should be covered and would likely explain why I have had to change out light bulbs so many times over the years.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11647608 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
19

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 11sudden stalling 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60–65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle started sliding. The contact stated that the…
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The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60–65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle started sliding. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11751996 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: 2011 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUN FLAT TIRES ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THREE FLAT TIRES WITHIN THE FIRST 13,000 MILES. TWO REQUIRED EXPENSIVE…
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2011 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUN FLAT TIRES ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THREE FLAT TIRES WITHIN THE FIRST 13,000 MILES. TWO REQUIRED EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT, ONE WITH A 24 HOUR TRIP DELAY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LITERATURE FROM MERCEDES BENZ STATED THE RUN FLAT TIRES COULD ONLY BE DRIVEN 50 MILES LOADED AND ONLY 18 MILES UNLOADED.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10469882 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
54

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3electrical shorts 1
A recent report: Nearest dealership refused to complete the recall repairs. On March 6, during a moving traffic accident that totaled both cars, the air bags failed to deploy, resulting in injury to the driver (me).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11521252 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that roof fabric had begun to detach from the vehicle. Over time, the fabric started to obstruct the contact's vision out of the rear…
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The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that roof fabric had begun to detach from the vehicle. Over time, the fabric started to obstruct the contact's vision out of the rear windshield. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and they offered to cover a nominal part of the cost of the repair. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was not available.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11437534 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
16

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

electrical shorts 2fire 2
A recent report: an Exhaust recycle hose cracked; causing cabin to fill with carbon dioxide. Driver, (me) became disorented.. ran off right shoulder, ran into center divider cement, before rearending truck. Engine…
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an Exhaust recycle hose cracked; causing cabin to fill with carbon dioxide. Driver, (me) became disorented.. ran off right shoulder, ran into center divider cement, before rearending truck. Engine light later came on indicating (HVOC?) ERROR Mechanic was able to locate leak and repair. Vehicle now performing properly. A DEFECT THAT ALLOWS CARBON DIOXIDE INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN, IS A SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11593805 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 118 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2026, roughly 8 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.