Mercedes-Benz ML350 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Mercedes-Benz ML350 across 11 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (43). The words owners use most often: “balance shaft” (12% of reports).
- 101power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $6,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Balance shaft: mentioned in 12 of 101 complaints (12%)
- Front differential: mentioned in 8 of 101 complaints (8%)
- Class action: mentioned in 6 of 101 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Mercedes-Benz ML350 at $6,950, and half of them between $4,900 and $9,500.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2019), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 89 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 101 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 6 an injury.
Mercedes-Benz ML350 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 ML350 | 7 | 13% | 11,550 |
| 2014 ML350 | 4 | 6% | 78,500 |
| 2013 ML350 | 6 | 11% | 40,000 |
| 2012 ML350 | 6 | 9% | 81,000 |
| 2011 ML350 | 7 | 6% | 66,000 |
| 2009 ML350 | 1 | 1% | 61,590 |
| 2008 ML350 | 4 | 6% | 56,215 |
| 2007 ML350 | 17 | 20% | 58,000 |
| 2006 ML350 | 43 | 25% | 63,750 |
| 2005 ML350 | 5 | 22% | 48,000 |
| 2004 ML350 | 1 | 3% | 165,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2015
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 GL350 4Matic Blutec, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic, ML250 Blutec, ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML400 4Matic and 2015-2016 GL63 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 29, 2014 through March 27, 2015. 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.
Risk: If any of the remaining front or rear axle bolts fracture, the vehicle may be unstable, reducing the handling capability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the axle carrier bolts, free of charge. The recall is began February 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While the contactâs wife was driving approximately 30 - 35 MPH, the message "Do Not Drive Vehicle" was suddenly displayed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, and the brake fluid reservoir was topped off. The mechanic was unable to find any leaks. The…
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the transmission shifted from second to third gear and was slipping. The contact stated that the transmission had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
My car was included in the balance right shaft recall as 2nd owner I was just made aware as a result my check engine light came on. It was also learned that the car was included in faulty âbalance shaftâ. I should be included because my car has same diagnosis as defective equipment
i encountered a major issue with the Mercedes ML350, while doing a 3 point turn in a busy suburban Toronto street.The electronic shift module left me stuck in Road way. Causing traffic back up and could not move vehicle.neither forward or reverse.tried pushing and different tactics to move vehicle…
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while reversing, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mercedes-Benz ML350s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 101 owner complaints about power train for the Mercedes-Benz ML350. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mercedes-Benz ML350 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Mercedes-Benz ML350?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,950 (half paid between $4,900 and $9,500), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Mercedes-Benz ML350?
The most frequent phrase is “balance shaft”, in 12 of 101 complaints, followed by “front differential” (8).
Other Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems
- Air Bags problems (197)
- Electrical System problems (158)
- Engine problems (121)
See all Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems.