2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 35 complaints (17.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 22.9% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 17.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 11.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 8.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Steering: 6; Air Bags: 5; Electrical System: 4; Seats: 4; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10138270 · 2005-09-30 (September 30, 2005)
DT: THE CONTAC TOWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ WITH 26,933 MILES ON IT THAT CUTS OFF WHEN HE HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. ON THE SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALER A NEW HARNESS WAS PLACED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AFTER FOUR DAYS AND CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF. NO LIGHTS HAD COME ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THOUG…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256705 · 2009-01-29 (January 29, 2009)
A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY SUV. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY LOST OF POWER STEERING FLUID UNTIL I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND I LATER CHECK THE AREA WHERE I HAD PARKED THE NIGHT BEFORE. I PARKED MY VEHICLE UNTIL I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON THE OTHER ML320, 2001 THAT I GOT RID OF THREE YEARS AGO. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099528 · 2004-12-09 (December 9, 2004)
NHTSA 04V296000 CONCERNING SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT. AFTER HAVING THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACED THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165343 · 2006-08-13 (August 13, 2006)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWSUIT TO REPLACE MY 04 ML 350 ON THE BASIS OF SAFETY. THE ENGINE FAILED 18 TIMES ON THE ROAD (IN ADDITION TO ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS). WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA USA--2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 - LIST PROBLEMS AND MUCH TIME SPENT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10165343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10332535 · 2010-05-27 (May 27, 2010)
MAY 2010 I HAVE PROBLEM IN MY 2004 ML350. MY WIFE TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER TO THE HIGH SETTING. WITHIN A SHORT TIME THE HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE IN A SMALL SPOT ( LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN) WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE IS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONLINE SEARCHES I DID FOR THE 03 AND 04 ML350. I SPOKE TO A BENZ ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND THAT IT IS A SHORT IN THE SEAT WIRING. HE SAID HE WOULD LOO…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133797 · 2005-08-22 (August 22, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MERCEDES BENZ 350 ALONG ROUTE 1 IN NEW JERSEY, WITHOUT HEARING OR FEELING ANYTHING, MY GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED. WHEN I STOPPED I SAW A PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A STEADY FLOW OF GAS FROM UNDER MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPARATMENT CAME AND THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY. THE ENTIRE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE SINCE MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMS THAT FUEL TANKS ARE NOT THE SUBJECT OF ANY WARRANTY AND IF THEY ARE PUNCTURED IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AN OEM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10850280 · 2016-03-17 (March 17, 2016)
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850280 at NHTSA ↗