Mercedes Benz ML350 years to avoid (and the best years)
435 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls across 6 model years, 2010 to 2015. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 435complaints
- 10recalls
- 36reported crashes
- 10reported fires
- 25reported injuries
Which Mercedes Benz ML350 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes Benz ML350 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes Benz ML350 year has 63 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2011 (107) and 2010 (100).
What are the best Mercedes Benz ML350 years?
The Mercedes Benz ML350 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2013 (53), 2014 (63) and 2012 (63). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 49 | 0.8× | 5 | 10 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 63 | 1.0× | 4 | 7 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 53 | 0.8× | 5 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 63 | 1.0× | 4 | 5 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2011 | 107 | 1.7× | 3 | 8 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2010 | 100 | 1.6× | 3 | 4 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 208 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts122 (59%)
- Electrical & infotainment29 (14%)
- Other systems21 (10%)
- Brakes19 (9%)
- Engine & powertrain14 (7%)
Recalls (10)
Brakes · 24V298000 · Apr 2024 · model years 2010, 2011
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 22V955000 · Dec 2022 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 22V315000 · May 2022 · model years 2010, 2011
Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Suspension · 18V272000 · Apr 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 17V177000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Transmission · 16V900000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2015
If any of the remaining front or rear axle bolts fracture, the vehicle may be unstable, reducing the handling capability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 16V442000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2015
In the event of a vehicle crash, the right rear seatbelt anchor bolt could fail to secure the passenger, increasing their risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V081000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 12E028000 · Aug 2012 · model years 2012, 2013
This interference could prevent the gas pedal from retracting and the vehicle may not decelerate as expected when the driver lifts their foot from the gas pedal, which could increase the risk of a crash. Should the pedal become trapped, steady application of the brakes will allow the vehicle to be brought to a stop.