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2003 Mercedes Benz ML350

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mercedes Benz ML350 are lower than the model-year median of 51.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
25Owner complaints

Model-year median: 51

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2003 Mercedes Benz ML350

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 25 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Steering: 11 reports
  • Seats: 7 reports
  • Electrical System: 4 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports
  • Engine: 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    1
    2001    25
    2003    35
    2004    23
    2005    172
    2006
    Compare all ML350 years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Steering
    11    Seats
    7    Electrical System
    4    Engine And Engine Cooling
    4    Engine
    2
    All reported categories
    Unknown Or Other
    2    Equipment
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    Limited mileage data: 19 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Steering. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Seats. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    0 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

    Unknown Or Other complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2023
    Unknown Or Other

    The Floor Mats I received for my vehicle covered a portion of my accelerator pedal and would when up into the back above the pedal and to the right of it and would get caught and force my accelerator pedal to stay down. I told the company of their design flaw, and they said would not do anything about it. If I wanted to send it …

    Read full complaint

    The Floor Mats I received for my vehicle covered a portion of my accelerator pedal and would when up into the back above the pedal and to the right of it and would get caught and force my accelerator pedal to stay down. I told the company of their design flaw, and they said would not do anything about it. If I wanted to send it back it would cost more than the pads were worth. I paid $189.95. I got PayPal involved and if I paid the shipping cost to send them back they would rebate me the money that I paid. That's only if the mats are in perfect condition when they receive them. So it cost hours of BS and $60 so I get back at least $129. But with that said I felt you should know that they are selling and sending things not made for the cars they promise they will be for.

    NHTSA ODI #11561486

    97,000 miles · Sep 3, 2015
    Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

    WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT…

    Read full complaint

    WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT. I FEAR DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN IT SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AT ONE POINT AND THEY HAVEN'T ADDRSSED IT. I'VE SPENT $4500 TO REPAIR AND THEY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND I'M NOT CERTAIN THEY KNOW HOW.

    NHTSA ODI #10761160

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.