2004 Mercedes Benz Ml500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (4) · Electrical System (2) · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Ml500 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 (61)
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 61 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-04-07 · Steering · 248,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz ml500. the contact stated while driving 35 mph, he los control of the steering wheel. the contact stated that the steering wheel turned 360 degrees however, the wheels remained in a straightforward position. the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle to drifted to the shoulder of the road. the co…”
2017-02-13 · Steering · 123,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz ml500. while driving 65 mph, the power steering seized. a mechanic confirmed that the power steering hose needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the failure mileage was 123,000. …”
2016-05-03 · Structure:body“smell gas when the vehicle is started. rust around front and rear fenders …”
2014-12-27 · Engine · 125,500 mi“this could be related to a software problem in all ml class. 1. obd system cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly 2. stuck fuel-level sensor cause to report incorrectly 3. the speedometer out of tolerance is reporting incorrectly 4. obd system is reporting incorrectly causing faults in systems. *tr…”
2014-11-26 · Electrical System · 225,000 mi“the bose dvd stereo has no sound everything works just no sound this appear to be a common problem. *tr…”
2014-10-06 · Steering · 165,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz ml500. while driving various speeds, the steering wheel became loose and required excessive force to control the wheel. the contact noticed fluid leaking from the vehicle. the failure has occurred for the past eight months. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 08v465000 (steering). the dealer state…”
2013-10-17 · Steering · 70,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz ml500. the contact stated that the steering wheel exhibited a loud noise when attempting a turn. the manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number 08v465000 (steering). the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 70,000 and the appro…”
2012-01-31 · Seats · 141,000 mi“i was driving on the highway and the heated seat was turned on the passenger side of my mercedes ml 500 with my 17 daughter sitting in the seat. the car started to smell and my daughters seat felt hot to her. she tried to move her self over and burnt the palm of her hand on the side of the seat. the heated seat had been burning at a very hot temper…”
2011-02-14 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections · 110,000 mi“2004 mercedes benz ml500. vehicle was serviced / repaired by zembrick mercedes in adison wisconsin on feb 3 2011. the repairs / service included replacing a seal on the power steering pump. within days of the repair the power steering unit leaked all it's fluid from a hose clamp. found the recall 08v465000 for this problem which per the recall cove…”
2011-01-12 · Exterior Lighting · 60,000 mi · 🔥 fire“during regular vehicle use the front right headlight stopped working. upon inspection it was found that the headlight holder had melted under extreme temperatures due to a manufacturers defect in the wiring harness. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.