2003 Mercedes Benz Ml350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (9) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler (4) · Seats (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Ml350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (65)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Exterior Lighting 2026-03-09 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the la
Showing the 6 most recent of 65 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-12-22 · Unknown Or Other“the floor mats i received for my vehicle covered a portion of my accelerator pedal and would when up into the back above the pedal and to the right of it and would get caught and force my accelerator pedal to stay down. i told the company of their design flaw, and they said would not do anything about it. if i wanted to send it back it would cost m…”
2018-12-26 · Steering · 175,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz ml350. while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver when turned to the left. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same symptoms as listed in nhtsa campaign number: 08v465000 (steering). the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power stee…”
2016-06-09 · Steering · 136,690 mi“i recently had to replace the power steering pump, reseviour, and hose after loosing control while driving on the highway. immediately after refilling with fluid all the contents ran right out. i do see that there was a recall for this problem in 2008, but i did not take ownership of this vehicle until 2/15. is there any way possible for this probl…”
2016-06-01 · Steering · 99,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz ml350. the contact stated that the steering wheel seized. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the power steering pump assembly twice but the failure recurred. the steering wheel was extremely tight and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. the approximate failure …”
2016-04-22 · Engine“random loss of power ' (the entire panel lights up) as the car suddenly and slowly powers off while taking off from a drop, driving, breaking, and turning, coming to a stop and on the highway. in the past 6 months we have spent more than 3800.00 for car repair on the ml 350. it shuts off more and more frequently. so much so we do not allow our daug…”
2015-09-03 · Unknown Or Other · 97,000 mi“within the past 8 months i have taken my car to the dealership four times with the issue relating engine shut off and check engine light comes on. i was told the crankshaft needed to be replaced two times and as of today the problems remains. mercedes benz has acknowledged this is problem in this vehicle but has not addressed it. i fear driving thi…”
2014-11-21 · Steering“i have a 2003 ml350 suv. i bought my car used. i was wondering if there were any recalls regarding steering. i have replaced one rack and pin which i believe was used. now i am in need of another one. *tr…”
2014-08-09 · Seats · 40,000 mi“front drivers side seat, burns when heater is turned on. burn smell, burned skin of driver. has there been a recall on this. i have read of many instances of this same complaint on the internet. mercedes needs to replace seat. *tr…”
2013-11-21 · Steering · 57,500 mi“bought this car on 01/2008 after a month or two i started to fill reservoir with power steering fluid as needed which is often. i called mercedes benz regarding the recall but denied my request. thanks *tr…”
2013-05-05 · Steering · 74,072 mi“i was backing out of my garage, when i heard a noise coming from the left front engine. i immediately put the suv back into the garage and parked it. i saw an oil leak where it had been parked. since then, i have been driving my toyota, and left the mercedes parked in the garage. the large oil leak concerned me.i spoke to a mercedes mechanic and…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.