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Mercedes-Benz ML-Class reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 494 complaints about the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with NHTSA since 2010, most often about airbags and engine. Mercedes-Benz has filed 10 warranty extensions and 6 service campaigns for it, and there are 12 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the ML-Class a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 494
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 10
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Service campaigns
- 6
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Safety recalls
- 12
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the ML-Class with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 66 | Engine (24%) | 7 | 14 |
| 2014 | 74 | Electrical system (28%) | 4 | 11 |
| 2013 | 63 | Engine (22%) | 4 | 11 |
| 2012 | 66 | Engine (33%) | 3 | 10 |
| 2011 | 119 | Airbags (52%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2010 | 106 | Airbags (67%) | 3 | 3 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single ML-Class model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Mercedes-Benz
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed with NHTSA for the ML-Class, in its own words. A warranty extension means Mercedes-Benz pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionJan 2026· Engine· model years 2011–2015
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage on the exhaust valve system in your vehicle from the original New…
- Warranty extensionAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2011–2015
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, CL, CLS, ML, GL, GLE, GLS, GLC, SL, and AMG GT (204, 205, 207, 212, 213, 217, 221, 222, 463, 216, 218, 166, 292, 253, 231,…
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Fuel system· model years 2010–2015
IMPORTANT EMISSION EXTENDED WARRANTY INFORMATION In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ("MBUSA") is extending the warranty coverage on the Fuel System Control…
- Warranty extensionSep 2023· Engine· model years 2012–2015
This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on March 10, 2023, and contains clarification on reimbursement timeline and removal of damage codes related to intake valves/guide.
- Warranty extensionSep 2023· Engine· model years 2012–2015
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA ("MBUSA") is extending the coverage for the exhaust valve assembly on your vehicle as follows: Why the warranty extension?
- Warranty extensionMar 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2011–2015
Why the warranty extension? On certain Model Year 2011-2016 CL/CLS/S/E/ML/SL/G/GL/GLE-Class vehicles with V8 engines, the exhaust valve assembly might not work properly and result in an engine misfire and potential illumination of the check engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
- Warranty extensionMar 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2012–2015
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (âMBUSAâ) is extending the warranty coverage on the exhaust valve system in certain Model Year (âMYâ) vehicles…
- Warranty extensionAug 2022· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2015
Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has extended the warranty for the accelerator pedal wiring harness and connectors from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles for certain Model Year (“MY”)…
- Warranty extensionNov 2020· Engine· model years 2012–2015
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: The purpose of this letter is to advise you of additional benefits that Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is providing to you regarding your vehicle ownership.
- Warranty extensionJan 2015· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2013–2015
In our continuing efforts to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has decided to extend the warranty for certain fuel tank components in certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
- Service campaignDec 2023· Electrical system· model years 2010–2012
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âÂÂMYâÂÂ) 2009-2012 GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, and S-Class (164/166, 251, 221 platforms) vehicles, the coding for the engine control unit does not correspond…
- Service campaignFeb 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2015
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2012-2016 E-Class, GL-Class, GLE-Class, GLK-Class, and ML-Class (166, 204, 212 platforms) vehicles, the coding of the control units for selective catalytic…
- Service campaignNov 2022· Engine and cooling· model years 2015
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2013-2016 E/GLK/GLE/M-Class vehicles, the software for the water pump diagnostics may not correspond to current specifications.
- Service campaignAug 2022· Engine and cooling· model years 2015
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2012-2016 GLK-Class, E-Class, ML-Class, GLE-Class, and GL-Class (204, 212 and166 platforms) vehicles, an incorrect NOx sensor, Diesel Particulate Filter…
- Service campaignJan 2021· Airbags· model years 2013–2015
Mercedes-Benz AG (?MBAG?), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain Model Year (?MY?) 2017-2018 E-Class (213, and 238 platform) vehicles, the supplemental restraint system (?SRS?) control unit software does not correspond to the current production…
- Service campaignFeb 2014· Electrical system· model years 2010–2014
This Service Campaign has been initiated because Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that the mbrace software does not correspond to current production configuration.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every ML-Class model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Airbags133 (27%)
- Engine83 (17%)
- Electrical system78 (16%)
- Other or unspecified48 (10%)
- Fuel and propulsion32 (6%)
- Transmission and drivetrain29 (6%)
- Brakes28 (6%)
- Steering21 (4%)
Safety recalls
12 recalls cover at least one ML-Class model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
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.
For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
The affected vehicles have axle bolts on the front and/or rear drive axle carriers that may not have been assembled correctly. As a result, the remaining bolts may fracture.
The affected vehicles may have had the right rear seatbelt anchor bolt incorrectly installed.
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
Mercedes-benz USA (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2011 Vehicles including e-class (212 platform), manufactured from july 2010 Through february 2011, r-class (251 platform), manufactured from april 2010 Through…
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 494 owner complaints, 10 warranty extensions and 6 service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed, and 12 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2011 (119), 2010 (106), 2014 (74). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name airbags (27%), engine (17%), electrical system (16%). Mercedes-Benz has filed 10 warranty extensions covering the ML-Class, listed on this page.
Which ML-Class model years have the most complaints?
2011 (119), 2010 (106), 2014 (74). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the ML-Class with each other rather than with other models.
Has Mercedes-Benz extended the warranty on the ML-Class?
Yes: engine (model years 2011–2015); electrical system (model years 2011–2015); fuel system (model years 2010–2015), and 7 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a ML-Class?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 12 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.