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2008 Mercedes Benz ML350

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 51.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

52 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

67 reports
133,500 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE SPARE TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS A RED LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PASSENGER DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ON AND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE SPARE TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS A RED LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PASSENGER DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT GASKET AND CONTROL UNIT SAM MODULE WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,500. UPDATED 10/03/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REFUNDED. UPDATED 5/12/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10619410

128,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrash

MERCEDES ML350 WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, FRONT END DROVE STRAIGHT INTO WOODED AREA STRIKING A TREE JUST RIGHT OF DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP WITH SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BUMPER AND HOOD PUSHING INTO RADIATOR...DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED...BOTH SIDE CURTAIN BAGS DEPLOYED...LUCKILY WITH LOW SPEED AND SEAT BELT …

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MERCEDES ML350 WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, FRONT END DROVE STRAIGHT INTO WOODED AREA STRIKING A TREE JUST RIGHT OF DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP WITH SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BUMPER AND HOOD PUSHING INTO RADIATOR...DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED...BOTH SIDE CURTAIN BAGS DEPLOYED...LUCKILY WITH LOW SPEED AND SEAT BELT ON DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616426

87,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10607448

51,765 miles · May 3, 2014
Steering

I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID MY POWER STEERING FLUID WAS EMPTY AND I HAD A LEAK. I DECIDED TO MAKE A APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED MY POWER STEERING RACK HEAD RESEALED. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS …

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I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID MY POWER STEERING FLUID WAS EMPTY AND I HAD A LEAK. I DECIDED TO MAKE A APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED MY POWER STEERING RACK HEAD RESEALED. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MERCEDES NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS BESIDES MINE LISTED ON HERE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE SUCH SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS BRAND AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE, ITS RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586374

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsSteering

ORIGINAL CAR, 2007 ML350,REPLACED WITH A 2008 BY DEALER AFTER MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, 2008 MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY,2008 THESE CARS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM IN TO SPRING OF 2008,.CARS AT THAT TIME CONSIDERED WORST USED CAR IN CONSUMER GUIDE.. INTERNET SHOWS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM SEVERAL CUSTOMERS. NOT ABLE TO MAKE CONTACTS WITH THE…

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ORIGINAL CAR, 2007 ML350,REPLACED WITH A 2008 BY DEALER AFTER MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, 2008 MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY,2008 THESE CARS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM IN TO SPRING OF 2008,.CARS AT THAT TIME CONSIDERED WORST USED CAR IN CONSUMER GUIDE.. INTERNET SHOWS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM SEVERAL CUSTOMERS. NOT ABLE TO MAKE CONTACTS WITH THE HEAD OFFICE, WARRANTY GONE BECAUSE OF TIME,2008 HAS SAME PROBLEMS AS 2007, CAR HAS BEEN IN GARAGE MORE TIME THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT, AIR BAGS ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN NO RAIN, BACK LIFT OPENS BY ITSELF, WINDOWS WILL GO UP AND DOWN AT WILL, GPS DOES NOT WORK, STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ADJUST, SEATS WON'T FOLD DOWN, OIL LEAK, OCCASIONAL ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN CAR, HEATER COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY AND CAR GETS SO HOT, HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, YET WHEN YOU WANT HEAT YOU OFTEN TIMES CANNOT GET IT TRANSMISSION LEAK (ALL CONSIDERED UNUSUAL BY THE DISTRIBUTOR, HAVE ALL REPAIR BILLS AVAILABLE, TECHNICIANS HAVE FOUND MOST ALL OF THE PROBLEMS, REPAIR COSTS ABOUT 1500 A WHACK, THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SHOULD SOMEONE GET HURT IN THIS CAR, THEY WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE, I AM HANGING OUT ON A LIMB IN AN UNSAFE CAR. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN- HAVE FRIENDS IN THE CAR THAT CAN VERIFY ALL HAPPENINGS. LETTERS TO IRA ROSENBURRG (?) FROM PRIME MOTORS, SCARBOROUGH, MAINE GO UNANSWERED, JUST ASKED TO SIT DOWN AND TALK, SOME RUDE ENCOUNTERS, PRESENTLY WANT TO DO A TRANSMISSION OIL REPAIR AT 1500, CAR COST 57,000 THINKING ONE HAD A RELIABLE CAR, ONLY HAS LOW MILEAGE EITHER DON'T DARE DRIVE IT A LONG DISTANCE OR IT IS IN THE GARAGE FOR WORK.MY QUESTION: WHY DO WE SEE MAJOR RECALLS FOR MANY CARS BUT NEVER SEE MAJOR RECALLS FOR MERCEDES WHEN INTERNET SHOWS MANY PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS????? WOULD I RECOMMEND MERCEDES TO ANYONE---- NEVER QUESTION IS "CAR IN GARAGE AGAIN?" *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576213

79,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Steering

RACK AND PINION LEAKED ALL THE FLUID DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. I REPLACED THE POWERSTERING PUMP FEW MONTH AGO AND PAID CLOSE TO $1200 (POSSIBLE THE BACK RACK DAMAGE IT THEN). NOW THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER WANTS CLOSE TO 2,000 TO FIX IT, THEY ARE USING REFURBISHED PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MB IS N…

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RACK AND PINION LEAKED ALL THE FLUID DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. I REPLACED THE POWERSTERING PUMP FEW MONTH AGO AND PAID CLOSE TO $1200 (POSSIBLE THE BACK RACK DAMAGE IT THEN). NOW THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER WANTS CLOSE TO 2,000 TO FIX IT, THEY ARE USING REFURBISHED PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MB IS NOT SUPPLYING NEW STEERING RACKS ANYMORE, MB ONLY SUPPORTS REPAIRING KITS TO REFURBISH DEFECTIVE ONES. THIS IS COMPLETELY INSANE, FIRST THEY PUT A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE VEHICLE, THAT THEY CHARGE YOU AN ARM AND LEG TO REPLACE IT WITH A REFURBISHED ONE. E RECALL IS A MUST AND MB SHOULD BE FORCED TO PUT NEW PARTS AS THE STEERING SYSTEM IS VERY CRUCIAL TO SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575955

112,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10554313

58,800 miles · Nov 21, 2013
Power TrainService BrakesStructureCrash

ATM AT BANK WAS NOT OPERATING AND WAS GOING INSIDE BANK, AT REGIONS BANK IN HENDERSONVILLE TN. WHEN CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THAT COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKING. THE RESULT BEING,HITTING TWO CARS, WHEN TRYING TO GO BETWEEN THEM, THEN STILL COULDN'T STOP UNTIL NOSE DIVE IN RO…

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ATM AT BANK WAS NOT OPERATING AND WAS GOING INSIDE BANK, AT REGIONS BANK IN HENDERSONVILLE TN. WHEN CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THAT COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKING. THE RESULT BEING,HITTING TWO CARS, WHEN TRYING TO GO BETWEEN THEM, THEN STILL COULDN'T STOP UNTIL NOSE DIVE IN ROCK LINED FOUR FOOT DITCH . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553143

72,000 miles · Oct 20, 2013
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE PARKING MY CAR, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS, IT SUDDENLY, AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A PARKED CAR AND CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD LOCATED ABOUT 12 YARDS OR SO AWAY, SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR, SIDE OF THE CAR, AND CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO BE RELEASED. THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED…

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WHILE PARKING MY CAR, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS, IT SUDDENLY, AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A PARKED CAR AND CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD LOCATED ABOUT 12 YARDS OR SO AWAY, SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR, SIDE OF THE CAR, AND CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO BE RELEASED. THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE THAT AUTOMATICALLY OCCURRED. I SUFFERED BRUISES IN THE FOREHEAD AND RIGHT HAND, AND LACERATION OF THE LEFT KNEE.

NHTSA ODI #10548603

86,500 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Steering

EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WHILE. STEERING MECHANISM MAKES A TERRIBLE, MOANING, WAILING, SCREECHING NOISE. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL DIRECTION OF VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10544524

Official recalls

2

24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Apr 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.

22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.