Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250

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

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250 have filed 10 safety complaints with NHTSA between April 2017 and January 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 4 of them (40%). The typical failure was reported at 40,000 miles, the median across the 6 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

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

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

16V900000 · December 14, 2016

The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 48 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

16V442000 · June 16, 2016

The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 ML250, ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML400 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and 2016 GLE450 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured from April 27, 2015, through May 19, 2015. The affected vehicles may have had the right rear seatbelt anchor bolt incorrectly installed.
The risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the right rear seatbelt anchor bolt could fail to secure the passenger, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, correct the installation of the right rear seat belt anchor bolt, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 423 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

15V351000 · June 8, 2015

The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2015 E250 BlueTec vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 15, 2014, E250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles manufactured November 4, 2014, December 17, 2014, GLK250 vehicles manufactured November 13, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 ML250 BlueTec vehicles manufactured December 12, 2014, to February 9, 2015. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
The risk: Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2015050005. Note: This is an expansion of NHTSA recall 14V-762.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 814 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

14V762000 · December 1, 2014

The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 E250 BlueTec, E250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, and 2015 ML250 4Matic BlueTec vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to November 10, 2014. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.
The risk: Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2014120002.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 4,871 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 10.

ENGINE 4 40%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 20%

AIR BAGS 1 10%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 10%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 10%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 10%

STEERING 1 10%

STRUCTURE 1 10%

VISIBILITY 1 10%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 2.

2017 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.

STEERING Filed July 20, 2020

1 injured · crash · towed · 78,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ ML250. THE CONTACT WAS TOWING AN UNKNOWN TRAVEL TRAILER WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED ALL 4 AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE SUSTAINED A BRUISE FROM THE SEAT BELT BUT DID NOT SEEK ANY MEDICINAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TOW COMPANY WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint 11340376, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS Filed August 17, 2023

1 injured · crash · towed

On 8/15/23 on my parking explode air bag , completely make me blind.Nader air bag push my legs from brake and Car still was driving and stop a the wall, I was completely blind, destroyed my car ,Pain my legs , my arms my head incrediblo,my body is all blue, Thanks to God I am still life. Always I take care my car and I was in Mercedes -Benz dealer in Fletcher N C check my car before I wil drive back home to Florida he told me everything is good and safe .to drive .I need help .All my life I drive Mercedes-Benz .Mercedes mechanic must check car before release to customer to drive ,Please help me with nader car.

NHTSA complaint 11539120. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed April 3, 2017

towed · 20,000 miles

DRIVING VEHICLE ALL DAY NO PROBLEMS .IT JUST TURNED 20,000 MILES. WAS DRIVING ON ROAD WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SURGING, LIKE OUT OF FUEL, WENT DOWN ROAD A LITTLE FURTHER AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN .THIS TIME I SMELLED STRONG DIESEL FUEL FUMES. SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. . I PULLED OFF ROAD AND SHUT CAR OFF. I OPENED HOOD LOTS OF SMOKE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH DIESEL FUEL ! HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. GOT TOWED IN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH HAVEN CT. SERVICE DEPT TODAY SAYS LOOKS LIKE A RODENT CHEWED SOMETHING IN YOUR ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AND THAT CAUSED YOUR FUEL LEAK. THEREFORE WE ARE NOT COVERING ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY. IT WILL COST ABOUT $4500 TO FIX .THIS

NHTSA complaint 10970118, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY Filed January 17, 2026

Rear subframe rusted from the inside out causing structural failure. This matches the defect in Campaign #2023020002 for other Mercedes models."

NHTSA complaint 11711610. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE Filed August 31, 2022

The Adblue blue malfunctioned and the engine oil cooling is leaking. Also the axle is leaking. This was a previous recall on this specific vehicle and it continues to be an issue

NHTSA complaint 11482258. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER Filed February 23, 2021

SOOTH PARTICULATE SENSOR FAIL, PART OF DIESEL EMISSION SYSTEM. MY CAR HAS 71K MILES AND DEALERSHIP HAD REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS SENSOR UNTIL 120K MILES (ATTACHED)

NHTSA complaint 11397577. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE Filed October 10, 2019

30,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ ML250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A DIESEL FUEL LEAK OVER THE MOTOR, WHICH RAN ACROSS THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR WAS SOAKED WITH DIESEL FUEL. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND CALLED VALLEY IMPORT (402 40TH ST S, FARGO, ND 58103, (888) 929-9843) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN FOUND DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE PAN UNDER THE ENGINE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SOAKED UP ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE

NHTSA complaint 11267649, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other 2015 Mercedes-Benz models

C300 379 GLK350 114 GLA 250 93 CLA250 61 ML350 52 S550 41 Sprinter 3500 37 E350 31

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

Complaints: NHTSA's ODI complaint file , published August 20, 2026. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall campaign API , most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI investigation file , published 2026-08-19.

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 guarledes
Independent developer and analyst