NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
36 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 31, 2019
Engine
PURCHASED A USED MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 FROM A LOCAL DEALER. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT NEVER WAS. AS A DISABLED MECHANIC, I PUT IT ON MY SCAN TOOL, FIXED THE ISSUES THAT WERE OCCURRING AND NOW I'M HAVING 2 CODES OF P0016 & P0017 COME UP. I DID A LI…
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PURCHASED A USED MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 FROM A LOCAL DEALER. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT NEVER WAS. AS A DISABLED MECHANIC, I PUT IT ON MY SCAN TOOL, FIXED THE ISSUES THAT WERE OCCURRING AND NOW I'M HAVING 2 CODES OF P0016 & P0017 COME UP. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH, COME OUT FIND OUT THAT IT'S AN INTERNAL ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE.I AM FINANCIALLY AND PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO REPAIR IT MYSELF, NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO. AS IT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT.I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.
NHTSA ODI #11192771
65,000 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
MY ML350 HAS 65000 MILES ONLY AND WAS WORKING FINE THEN ENGINE STALLED AND NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE!!STALLED ON HIGHWAY SUDDENLY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO SHOP THEY WANT TO REPLACE ENGINE?
NHTSA ODI #11173200
132,213 miles · Oct 25, 2018
Engine
OUR ML 350 HAS 132213 MILES AS OF 10-2-18, AND IT'S GOT AN ENGINE FAULT OF 1208 CAMSHAFT. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $6446.82. WE TALKED TO MBZ CUSTOMER SERVICE, 800-367-6372, EXT 8536, AND TALKED TO JENNIFER. AND SHE ADVISED ME THAT BECAUSE OF A LAW SUIT, THERE'S NOTHING THAT TH…
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OUR ML 350 HAS 132213 MILES AS OF 10-2-18, AND IT'S GOT AN ENGINE FAULT OF 1208 CAMSHAFT. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $6446.82. WE TALKED TO MBZ CUSTOMER SERVICE, 800-367-6372, EXT 8536, AND TALKED TO JENNIFER. AND SHE ADVISED ME THAT BECAUSE OF A LAW SUIT, THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO? WE'VE CHECKED ON-LINE, AND OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A BAD PART, AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THANKS,
NHTSA ODI #11142728
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2018
Engine
2006 MERCEDES ML 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEMS. *LD *JS
NHTSA ODI #11084096
1,390,000 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Engine
THE BALANCE SHAFT WENT BAD AFTER REQULAR MAINTENANCE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA ODI #11082596
38,000 miles · Nov 30, 2017
Engine
SETTLEMENT ABOUT DEFECTIVE GEARS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, EXCESSIVELY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION, THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE TO HAVE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS MISFIRING OR CATASTROPHIC STOPS. MAJEED SEIFI, ET AL. V. MERCEDES BENZ USA LLC CASE NO. 3:12-CV-05493 U.S. DISTRICT …
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SETTLEMENT ABOUT DEFECTIVE GEARS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, EXCESSIVELY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION, THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE TO HAVE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS MISFIRING OR CATASTROPHIC STOPS. MAJEED SEIFI, ET AL. V. MERCEDES BENZ USA LLC CASE NO. 3:12-CV-05493 U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. MAJEED SEIFI, ALLEGED A DEFECT IN BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKETS IN (V-6) ENGINES AND IDLE GEARS IN (V-8) ENGINES MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 MB THAT CAUSES THE GEARS TO WEAR PREMATURELY. PLAINTIFFS CONTEND ("MBUSA") HAD A DUTY TO DISCLOSE THIS INFORMATION TO CONSUMERS AT THE TIME THEY PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES. BASED ON CONDUCT, CLAIMS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE NEW JERSEY CONSUMER FRAUD ACT, CALIFORNIA'S CONSUMER LEGAL REMEDIES ACT AND UNFAIR COMPETITION LAW.MBUSA HAS AGREED TO OFFER TO SETTLEMENT CLASS MEMBERS TO MAKE QUALIFIED REPAIRS MERCEDES BENZ ENGINE DEFECT CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. DEFECTIVE GEARS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, EXCESSIVELY, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS, THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' REMAINS ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAR MISFIRES OR STOPS. TOLD IT WILL TAKE $7,000.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALL MY RECORDS. SPENT $5,000 IN 2015 FOR REPAIRS ALONE. PAID TO OWN A MB TO GET FORTY THOUSAND MILES OUT OF IT BEFORE IT NEEDS MOTOR WORK. MY ML350 ENGINE LIGHT SHOULD NOT BE ILLUMINATING AT <40,000 MILES ITS A DEFECTIVE MOTOR. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURE FACTORY DEFECT. $7000.00, TO GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF: MAJEED SEIFI,ET AL. V. MERCEDES BENZ PROVES MBUSA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. KNOWN MB 2006 ML350 INTERNAL PROBLEM (FACTORY DEFECT, LEMON ETC.) THAT WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME. NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND FROM NO FAULT OF MY OWN.
NHTSA ODI #11051619
63,000 miles · Apr 11, 2017
EngineService BrakesCrashInjury
DRIVING 45MPH APPROACHING A STOP, I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW. THEN THE CAR LURCHED AND ACCELERATED BY ITS SELF. I PUSHED THE BRAKE HARDER AND TRIED TO PUMP IT BUT NOTHING SLOWED THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES FELT AS IF THEY WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. VEHICLE CRASHED AT ABOUT 55MPH AND ROLLED SEVERELY INJURING THE DRIVE…
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DRIVING 45MPH APPROACHING A STOP, I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW. THEN THE CAR LURCHED AND ACCELERATED BY ITS SELF. I PUSHED THE BRAKE HARDER AND TRIED TO PUMP IT BUT NOTHING SLOWED THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES FELT AS IF THEY WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. VEHICLE CRASHED AT ABOUT 55MPH AND ROLLED SEVERELY INJURING THE DRIVER. NO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, 77 DEGREES OUT, DRIVING ON A MILITARY INSTALLATION ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10971930
61,000 miles · Jan 16, 2017
Engine
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN THEY SAID IT WAS THE BALANCE SHAFT GEAR $7500 IN MD. I COULDN'T AFFORD IT SO I LEFT AND DID RESEARCH TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS TO ALL MLS OR I JUST AVE BAD LUCK. I FOUND OUT THEY RECALLED THIS PART AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED AND APPROVED IN 2015. ITS…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN THEY SAID IT WAS THE BALANCE SHAFT GEAR $7500 IN MD. I COULDN'T AFFORD IT SO I LEFT AND DID RESEARCH TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS TO ALL MLS OR I JUST AVE BAD LUCK. I FOUND OUT THEY RECALLED THIS PART AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED AND APPROVED IN 2015. ITS TOO LATE TO CLAIM IT NOW, THERE WAS A TIME LIMIT WHICH I FEEL IS RIDICULOUS THAT'S LIKE PUTTING A TIME LIMIT ON SOMEONES LIFE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PART MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME AND DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITHOUT HAVING TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO PAY OR TO GET A LAWYER TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAIN. SINCE THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FILED SHOULD SPEAK VOLUME AND WE SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10945435
190,000 miles · Oct 25, 2016
EnginePower TrainSteering
MY 2006 MERC ML350, BROKE DOWN ON ME 10/22/16, AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE I WAS HEARING A CRACKLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT. THIS VEHICLE IS ALWAYS NEEDING SOMETHING, AND AT THIS TIME IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK IT BECAUSE THE SERPE…
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MY 2006 MERC ML350, BROKE DOWN ON ME 10/22/16, AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE I WAS HEARING A CRACKLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT. THIS VEHICLE IS ALWAYS NEEDING SOMETHING, AND AT THIS TIME IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK IT BECAUSE THE SERPENTINE (VBELT) HAD UNRAVELED ITS WAY FROM THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY!! THE LORD HAD SAVED MY LIFE! SAME YEAR IN MARCH FREMONT DEALERSHIP SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY AIR CONDENSOR BUT NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT MY BELT BEING WORN OR CRACKED OR ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED AT THAT PRESENT TIME. THEY MISINFORMED ME AT THAT TIME ABOUT THE VBELT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AND TRIED TO SELL ME A AIR MASS SENSOR. MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT VEHICLE 2006 YEAR AND ALL THE PARTS THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND WONT LIFT A FINGER TO RECALL OR REIMBURSE OR PAY ENTIRELY. I WOULD HAVE DIED ON THE FREEWAY HAD THIS V BELT WOULD HAVE CAME OFF! TOOKBITVIN FOR REPAIRS AND THE DEALER IS REQUESTING $2350 TO REPLACE AIR CONDITION UNIT AND THEY WILL HAVE TO OPEN UP ALTERNATOR & ADJUST + VBELT. CAMPAIGN ANYONE OR BOTCOTT MBUSA!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10918854
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2016
Engine
MY CAR STARTED TO GIVE LESS POWER WHILE DRIVING INITIALLY AND THEN COUPLE OF DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THERE WAS A LAW SUIT AGAINST MB. THE SETTLEMENT IDENTIFIED MY CAR AS A CANDIDATE FOR A FUTURE REPAIR. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING LIKE TH…
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MY CAR STARTED TO GIVE LESS POWER WHILE DRIVING INITIALLY AND THEN COUPLE OF DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THERE WAS A LAW SUIT AGAINST MB. THE SETTLEMENT IDENTIFIED MY CAR AS A CANDIDATE FOR A FUTURE REPAIR. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING LIKE THIS WAS MENTIONED. I WAS TOLD TO PAY FULL PRICE.
NHTSA ODI #10908827
Official recalls
2Apr 26, 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
May 9, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗