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U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

67 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

71,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 67 complaints (34.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior2537.3%
Braking behavior1522.4%
Electrical and battery issues710.4%
Transmission and shifting69.0%
Engine operation46.0%
Fuel system concerns11.5%

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.

Steering
23
Electrical System
13
Service Brakes
4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4
Air Bags
3
Engine
3
Exterior Lighting
3
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering23
Electrical System13
Service Brakes4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Air Bags3
Engine3
Exterior Lighting3
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights3

Steering: 23; Electrical System: 13; Service Brakes: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Air Bags: 3; Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
17
75,000 to 99,999
9
100,000 to 149,999
13
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0007
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,99917
75,000 to 99,9999
100,000 to 149,99913
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 15 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.

2008
1
2009
3
2011
5
2012
5
2013
7
2014
12
2015
9
2016
8
2017
2
2018
5
2019
2
2020
2
2022
5
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20081
20093
20115
20125
20137
201412
20159
20168
20172
20185
20192
20202
20225
20241

2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2011: 5; 2012: 5; 2013: 7; 2014: 12; 2015: 9; 2016: 8; 2017: 2; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2022: 5; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 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 10231847 · 2008-06-20 (June 20, 2008)

CAR STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. DAUGHTER WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID TREE AND INJURY TO HER AND HER PASSENGER. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231847 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10260437 · 2009-03-02 (March 2, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS MANEUVERING TOO EASILY AND IS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10263214 · 2009-03-27 (March 27, 2009)

IT WAS 6:30 IN THE MORNING AND I WAS PULLING INTO MY GYM'S PARKING LOT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I KEPT PUMPING ON THE BRAKE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AS IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE (AS IF IT WERE RESISTING MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT). EVENTUALLY, AND THANKFULLY BEFORE IT HIT THE BUILDING, THE CAR STALLED TO A STOP. THE CAR ACTUALLY ASCENDED 3 WOODEN PORCH STEPS AND HIT INTO A WOODEN PORCH COLUMN BEFORE STOPPING. IT WAS A VERY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. HAD I PULLED INTO THIS DRIVEWAY MID MORN…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263214 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10393982 · 2011-04-01 (April 1, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET GROUND WIRING CONNECTIONS AS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOCKET WITH AND UPGRADED SOCKET KIT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO UP SHIFT THE GEAR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY INSTALLING UPDA…

Owner-reported narrative. 53,630 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393982 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10576213 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)

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, B…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10576213 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258143 · 2009-02-09 (February 9, 2009)

MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 2008 WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER PUT THE CAR INTO PARK TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT. DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE. DRIVER OPENED THE BACK SEAT DOOR AND VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 31/2 FEET. DURING THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE DRIVERS FEET WERE RUN OVER BY VEHICLE AN PINNED UNDER LEFT BACK TIRE. 911 WAS CALLED POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED TO JACK UP CAR AND PULL DRIVER OUT FROM UNDER THE TIRE. PARAMEDICS ATTENDED AND DRIVER W…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258143 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10442214 · 2012-01-03 (January 3, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442214 at NHTSA ↗