2011 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (54) · Electrical System (12) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Ml350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
37 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2024-04-26 · campaign 24V298000 · 15,604 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2022-05-09 · campaign 22V315000 · 350,294 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-11 · campaign 16V081000 · 711,159 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-201
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (108)
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,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
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
Suspension 2026-07-07 · LI33.20-P-078406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. sound file attached for comparison. must match noise for proper diagnos
Showing the 6 most recent of 108 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-28 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 129,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz ml350. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. the vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign. the contact swerved to the right and struck the curb. the vehicle was then driven to the residence. the manufacturer was made aware of the …”
2026-07-22 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 88,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz ml350. the contact stated that while driving approximately 60–65 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle started sliding. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled. the brake warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed to a tow lot. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not d…”
2026-04-22 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz ml350. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was brake fluid leaking from the vehicle with the brake warning light illuminated. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage wa…”
2026-03-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 111,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz ml350. while the daughter was driving at an unknown speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. the driver heard an abnormal hissing or squeaking sound while depressing the brake pedal. the vehicle was driven back to the residence. the contact’s son then drove the vehicle to a s…”
2025-09-21 · Service Brakes“corroded brake lines. this is a well known issue for many ml350s built during this time period. this car was built with steel brake lines that easily corrode and present a serious safety issue. while driving a few months ago, the car suddenly lost the ability to brake because a line rusted completely through. the mechanic noted the lines are rusted…”
2025-07-24 · Service Brakes“abs pump defective. dealer refuses to replace this safety item.…”
2025-03-11 · Electrical System“i believe the electrical system may be defective as ever since i have had it the light bulbs frequently have to be changed. we own three vehicles in my households (the other 2 are non-mercedes) and none of my other vehicles do this. the latest issue with the electrical system is that the rear tail lamp and power lift gate. i was told there was …”
2024-09-06 · Service Brakes“i was driving locally and when i put on the brakes for a car exiting a street. immediately my car sensor went on and my car brakes started to fail. it was a very scary situation. this is a known problem with mercedes. mercedes has a recall for the brake booster but will not fix the booster without the brake like being fixed. i have reached out…”
2024-06-12 · Engine · 💥 crash“an exhaust recycle hose cracked; causing cabin to fill with carbon dioxide. driver, (me) became disorented.. ran off right shoulder, ran into center divider cement, before rearending truck. engine light later came on indicating (hvoc?) error mechanic was able to locate leak and repair. vehicle now performing properly. a defect that allows carbon …”
2024-04-24 · Vehicle Speed Control“my vehicle jerks back and forth at low acceleration, and it often goes into limp mode which makes the vehicle only drive at around 20 mph at most. i was on the highway, when this happened. i have a 722.9 transmission, and this is a common problem. why is the snapping recalled? i have had a checked with mercedes-benz of music city when i had gotten …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.