2007 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 71 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seats is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 83 complaints (26.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 18.1% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 15.7% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 6.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seats | 22 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 8 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Seats: 22; Electrical System: 18; Power Train: 14; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 8; Steering: 8; Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Service Brakes: 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 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2007: 2; 2008: 10; 2009: 4; 2010: 6; 2011: 8; 2012: 8; 2013: 5; 2014: 6; 2015: 8; 2016: 6; 2017: 2; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Seats leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 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 10178010 · 2007-01-07 (January 7, 2007)
PURCHASED A 2007 ML350 APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO. PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY DURING A HOUSE HUNTING TRIP, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE GEAR CHANGE BUTTON ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, OPENED THE DOOR, EXITED THE AUTO, WALKED UP THE STAIRS TO THE HOUSE AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR. IT WAS AT THIS POINT I HEARD MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN (WHO WERE STILL IN THE CAR) SHOUTING AT ME. I TURNED TO SEE THE CAR MOVING FORWARD. THE CAR HAD BEEN PLACED IN PARK (THE P WAS NOTED PRIOR TO MY LEAVING THE AUTO) AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAD POPPED ITSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,248 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302157 · 2010-01-25 (January 25, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THE "DRIVE 1" POSITION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO "PARK" AND THEN INTO "DRIVE". THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 02/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175850 · 2007-01-31 (January 31, 2007)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT CREATING A CHAIN REACTION OF FOUR VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS ONE PERSON INJURED FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WHO WAS EVACUATED IN AN AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A BRAKE FAILURE. *AK UPD…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269386 · 2009-05-19 (May 19, 2009)
2007 MERCEDES ML 350: POOR DESIGN OF SHIFT LEVER, LOCATED ON STEERING COLUMN PUSH UP FOR REVERSE, PUSH DOWN FOR DRIVE, PUSH IN FOR PARK (WHEN DOING SO SYSTEM MAKES NEAR INAUDIBLE SOUND.) MY WIFE PUT CAR IN PARK, GOT OUT CAR ROLLED IN REVERSE CAUGHT HER LEG AND DRAGGED HER UNDER, CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL BACK AND CRUSHED HER LEFT LEG, MBENZ SAID TOO BAD BE MORE CAREFUL THIS IS A DESIGN FAULT DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. MBENZ TOLD ME ALL OF THEIR MODELS ARE BEING CHANGED TO THIS DESIGN TO KEEP COFFEE ETC FROM SPILLING FROM CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS IN…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10343499 · 2010-07-15 (July 15, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED, THE REAR DOOR HATCH INDEPENDENTLY OPENED AND THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN SPORADICALLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TEN TIMES FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE EACH TIME YET THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353342 · 2010-09-01 (September 1, 2010)
WE HAVE A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 AND JUST BOUGHT THE EXTENDED NEW CAR WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL $4500. IT WAS RAINING AND THE ALARM ON THE CAR WENT OFF, ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING AND THE REAR LFT GATE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS REAR LOCKS. THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AFTER 3 DAYS AND STATED THAT IS BECAUSE THE REAR TAIL LIGHT IS ALLOWING WATER IN AND THAT IT COMPROMISED/RUINED THE POWER LIFT GATE CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT YOU ISSUED A RECALL FOR WITH THE 2009 ML350 WITH RECALL ID # 09V07…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231843 · 2008-06-20 (June 20, 2008)
CAR STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE IS NO COMPUTER RECORD THAT THE DEALER CAN FIND ON THE CAR TO CONFIRM ANY FAILURE BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WITH DIFFERENT DRIVERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,245 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231844 · 2008-06-20 (June 20, 2008)
CAR STALLED AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER ONCE AGAIN CANNOT FIND ANY FAULT WITH CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,217 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231844 at NHTSA ↗