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Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

56

Complaints

2

Crashes

3

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have filed 56 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2013 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 12 of them (21%). The typical failure was reported at 71,000 miles, the median across the 33 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

22V955000 · December 23, 2022

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
The risk
An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · up to 348,183 vehicles across all model years covered

COMMUNICATION

19V787000 · November 1, 2019

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
The risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 24,226 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

SUSPENSION:FRONT

18V272000 · April 27, 2018

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). 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.
The risk
The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 9,725 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

17V177000 · March 14, 2017

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. 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 risk
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 51 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 56.

ENGINE 12 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10 18%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7 13%
POWER TRAIN 6 11%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 7%
STEERING 4 7%
AIR BAGS 3 5%
LANE DEPARTURE 3 5%
SEAT BELTS 3 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 8.

2013 2024 2026
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · fire · towed · 75,000 miles

AFTER PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DRIVE LESS THAN 1000 FT THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE TURNED IN FLAMES AND FIRE AND THEN BURNT TO THE GROUND. MBZ DID AN INSPECTION AND INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY REFUTED AND DENIED EVERYTHING I TOLD THEM AND STATED THEY HAD NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING I DESCRIBED. THEY REFUSED TO TELL ME HOW THE FIRE STARTED. THEY WOULD SHOW ME THE REPORT, THE FUSE BOXES APPEARED TO BE MELTED YET THEY SAID THEY WERE INTACT AND DID NOT CAUSE THE FIRE. SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN AND ACT OF GOD? THE WOULD NOT PAY ANY MEDICAL BILLS NOR REPLACE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ON A CITY STREET, FIRE AND POLICE CAME

NHTSA complaint 11120425. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 51,000 miles

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE MY ML 350 MERCEDES BENZ WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN A CAR PASSING ME LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND STRUCK ME. THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR ON THE REAR WHEEL. THE IMPACT PUSHED MY SUV TO THE RIGHT. UPON IMPACT, THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE, SNAPPED IN HALF AND THE FLEW AWAY CAUSING MY ML350 TO ROLL FIVE OR SIX TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST JUST INCHES FROM ON COMING TRAFFIC TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MEDIAN. THE OFFICER INVESTIGATING THE ACCIDENT SAID HIS MAJOR CONCERN WAS THAT UPON IMPACT THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SNAPPED CAUSING THE CAR

NHTSA complaint 10928673, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · 92,273 miles

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER, A LOUD NOISE CAME PROBABLY FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR THEN STARTED JOLTING BACK AND FORTH; I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TWICE AND GOT ALMOST KNOCKED OUT. THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE I WAS STILL RUNNING AT 70 MPH. MOST IF NOT ALL THE LIGHTS IN MY DASHBOARD CAME ON THEN I STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THE SEAT BELT NEVER TIGHTENED ON ME AS THE CAR WAS JOLTING. I KEPT THE CAR ROLLING AND GOT OUT OF A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS THE CAR CAME TO A HALT, A LOT OF ENGINE OIL LEAKED ON THE STREET, MAYBE ABOUT AQUART. I TOOK A PICTURE AS I JUST GOT OUT OF THE CAR. ALSO, AS THE TOWING TOOK THE CAR, THE TOWING BED

NHTSA complaint 11129190, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire

I STOPPED TO GET GAS AT A CLUB STORE & LEFT ON A FULL TANK. RIGHT AFTER LEAVING THE PUMP I PULLED ASIDE IN THE PARKING LOT TO GET SITUATED AND AFTER TURNING ON THE HEATER I BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY AND THEN I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT THE SAME TIME I NOTICED A THIN CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE AND I WAS LOOKING AROUND TO SEE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND THEN I SAW MORE SMOKE COMING UP FROM BEHIND MY GLOVE BOX AND THEN I WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO MOVE MY CAR AWAY FROM OTHERS AND PARKED IT, TURNED IT OFF AND DIALED 911. MY CAR MY 2013 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 STARTED BURNING UP LESS THAN 30 MINUTES AFTER SCHOOL DROP OFF!!!! THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR WARNING BEEPING SOUND. NOTHING! JUST SMOKE

NHTSA complaint 11546949, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT SUPPORTING STATEMENT Vehicle: 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 I am submitting this complaint regarding a continuing safety concern involving water intrusion and electronic system damage in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. My vehicle was subject to a Mercedes-Benz recall involving water intrusion and related components. Despite recall-related repairs being performed, moisture and water intrusion concerns remain unresolved. During the diagnostic process, Mercedes-Benz personnel identified evidence of water and humidity in areas associated with vehicle electronics and control modules. The vehicle has experienced repeated mechanical and electronic issues following discovery

NHTSA complaint 11741266, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Re: My 2013 ML350- Intermittent Start/ Vehicle cutting off while in heavy traffic. Fuel Pump and Fuel modulator failed due to water collecting in the spare tire wheel-weld causing water intrusion into the fuel system. I paid out of pocket for this service twice, AND then found out from MB Tacoma there was a RECALL with the exact same issue. I took the vehicle in to the closest dealer- Seattle Mercedes to handle the outstanding recall issues. I was advised to contact MERCEDES BENZ USA GOODWILL DEPARTMENT. My initial claim was approved, as I submitted ALL DOCUMENTATION of the repairs related to this issue. NOW, after 5 months of my RECALL REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM BEING BOUNCED AROUND by customer

NHTSA complaint 11734678, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 96,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle lane. The driver was able to push the vehicle safely to the roadside. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The following day, it took two minutes to start the vehicle. The vehicle was drivable, but the vehicle eventually stalled while driving. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Mercedes-Benz of South Orlando (4301 Millenia Blvd, Orlando, FL 32839), where it was diagnosed with a faulty

NHTSA complaint 11711198, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Good morning ! I am an owner of a 2013 ML 350 . I live in San Diego ,CA ,92103 . I was driving my car on [XXX] and it was raining a lot . After around 30 miles I got to my destination parking area and my car died 20 feet away from the parking zone .I tried to reignite it but it wouldn’t start . I checked it with a OBD2 scanner and it was indicating a code U0109 - Lost communication with fuel pump control module . After looking into solutions and reasons for the issue online I came across a post regarding an existing recall with NHTSA with ID 22v955 regarding water intrusion in the spare wheel well portion of the trunk( The Wheel well is not water proofed and doesn’t have a drain port for

NHTSA complaint 11699776, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

The engine locked up after blowing the top part of the engine off, fire shot out of the engine and quickly went out like a flam thrower. I was driving on the expressway when the accelerator would not work without any warning I didn’t have any issues with this truck. The car cut off immediately thank God I was able to coast to the side of the expressway because it stopped in the left lane on the expressway I was scared for our lives. The dealership has the truck and they said the engine is locked up. This morning s unacceptable for a car I’ve had for a year.

NHTSA complaint 11686235. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Brake Booster failure, this vehicle is exhibiting the EXACT same symptoms as described in Recall Campaign: Campaign No. 2024050001, May 2024 TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS SUBJECT: Model GL-Class, ML-Class, and R-Class (X164, W164 and 251 platform) Model Year 2006 – 2012 Inspect Brake Booster – without Pedal Rework Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class (164 and 251 platform) vehicles, the function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing. After extended time in the field and in conjunction with prolonged water exposure, this corrosion

NHTSA complaint 11685348, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz ML350

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 52 5 —
2014 67 4 —
2012 65 3 —
2011 110 3 —
2010 101 3 —

Other 2013 Mercedes-Benz models

C250 277 C300 258 E350 161 GLK350 137 Sprinter 3500 45 GL450 37 C350 21 Sprinter 2500 21

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst