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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.

About this comparison →
25Owner complaints

Model-year median: 51

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
200125
200335
200423
2005172
2006
Compare all ML350 years →

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

What owners reported most

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

What owners actually said

25 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2006
SeatsFire

2003 MERCEDES ML 350 SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE HEAT SEATING DEVICE THAT IS WHEN THE SEATS CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151933

35,000 miles · Feb 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD SIDE A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10149378

19,000 miles · Sep 7, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

STEERING IS MAKING A WHEEZING NOISE AND IT FEELS HARD TO STEER COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. ENGINE FELLS LIKE STALLING AFTER HITTING BRAKES; ENGINE IS SHAKING ON THE DRIVE MODE WHEN YOU ARE NOT MOVING AND ON BRAKE MODE; MORE THAN 10 TIMES, WILL TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135564

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Seats

DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT CAUSING A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT . DAMAGED DRIVERS PANTS AND WALLET. DEALER TO REPAIR/REPLACE SEAT IN MID JULY

NHTSA ODI #10126701

26,652 miles · Mar 28, 2005
SeatsInjury

THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT OVERHEAT BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER. *JB *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10111403

Official recalls

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.