2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
56 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 56 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 16.1% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 12 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
Engine: 12; Electrical System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Power Train: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Steering: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 6; 2019: 6; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 6; 2024: 8; 2025: 4; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10668108 · 2014-12-24 (December 24, 2014)
GOING NORTH ON I-95 IN MASS AT 65 MPH IN A DRIVING RAIN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM AND SPEEDOMETER BOTH WENT TO 0, AND THE NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ALL OTHER SYSTEMS (INCLUDING BRAKE, LIGHTS, RADIO, WIPERS, ETC) APPEARED TO WORK FINE. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER, PUT CAR IN PARK, AND RESTART CAR. EVERYTHING WAS FINE AFTERWARDS, BUT OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS CONDITION IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. WILL TAKE TO DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10668108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10918462 · 2016-10-24 (October 24, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10918462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568339 · 2014-03-11 (March 11, 2014)
THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, JUST BELOW THE LEVER FOR THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM. I ACCIDENTALLY PULLED ON THE CRUISE LEVER INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY SPEED UP. THIS IS SUCH AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110678 · 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)
I KEEP EXPERIENCING THE "PRE-SAFE LIMITED" WARNING. THE CAR BREAK STARTS FADING, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON THE WORKING CONDITIONS. THIS SITUATION IS SO UNSAFE BECAUSE THE CAR BECOMES HEAVY AND THE STEERING TURNS HARD TO MANEUVER.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,234 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502971 · 2013-03-14 (March 14, 2013)
2013 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PUSHED THE BUTTON FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK, AND REMAINED IN DRIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE STOCK PART ON THE VEHICLE HAD FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10502971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11191431 · 2019-03-25 (March 25, 2019)
STEERING COLUMN MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. 400,000-500,000 RECALL ALREADY IN UK, 2017 RECALLED-IT AFFECTS 2013 MODELS ALSO JUST LIKE THE UK RECALL. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO PARK OR REVERSE
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11191431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10991521 · 2017-05-24 (May 24, 2017)
IN MAY 2017, WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ACCELERATION WAS EXTREMELY REDUCED IN A VERY DANGEROUS WAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS AN OIL LEAK THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING ON THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH CAUSED WIRING/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR ENTIRE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY FAIL. ESTIMATED REPAIR IS $13,500. THE VEHICLE HAS 34K MILES, AND THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN LATE FEBRUARY 2017. HAD ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT DEALER IN FEBRUARY, NO OIL LEAK DETECTED. DEALER SERVICE TECH WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10991521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463905 · 2022-05-09 (May 9, 2022)
2013 Mercedes Benz ML350 (W166) engine (m276) began misfiring. Palm Springs Mercedes Benz diagnosed faulty camshaft positioning sensor leaking engine oil into engine electrical harness which wicked through harness to ECU. Faulty (leaking) camshaft positioning sensor caused faulty harness, ECU, injectors, o2 sensors. Said common problem on these and other models and engines.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11463905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11632362 · 2024-12-25 (December 25, 2024)
On [XXX], while driving on the highway about 30 miles from Columbus, Ohio my 2013 Mercedez Benz ML350 suddenly stalled and lost power. There was no prior warning. Luckily, we were in the outer lane with no car close behind us so my husband slowly guided the car to the side road. The car has since been towed and is currently at the Service Department at Mercedez Benz of North Olmsted, Ohio, 44070, for repairs. I have been informed by the Service Manager that they have identified the fuel pump to the problem and that it needs to be replaced. Coi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11632362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11699776 · 2025-11-17 (November 17, 2025)
Good morning ! I am an owner of a 2013 ML 350 . I live in San Diego ,CA ,92103 . I was driving my car on [XXX] and it was raining a lot . After around 30 miles I got to my destination parking area and my car died 20 feet away from the parking zone .I tried to reignite it but it wouldn’t start . I checked it with a OBD2 scanner and it was indicating a code U0109 - Lost communication with fuel pump control module . After looking into solutions and reasons for the issue online I came across a post regarding an existing recall with NHTSA with …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11699776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11711198 · 2026-01-15 (January 15, 2026)
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle lane. The driver was able to push the vehicle safely to the roadside. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The following day, it took two minutes to start the vehicle. The vehicle was drivable, but the vehicle eventually stalled while driving. The veh…
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11711198 at NHTSA ↗