FaultScore

Mercedes Benz ML350 steering problems

74 of the 651 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz ML350 are about the steering — 11% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2008.

74

Complaints

11%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

2003 ML350 11 14.9%

Median failure at 60,750 miles

2004 ML350 6 8.1%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2005 ML350 6 8.1%

Median failure at 78,600 miles

2006 ML350 16 21.6%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2007 ML350 8 10.8%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2008 ML350 26 35.1%

Median failure at 56,000 miles

2009 ML350 1 1.4%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

What owners said

2009 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 90,000 miles Woodbridge, VA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel locked. The battery warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11686279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 Phoenix, AZ

STEERING

I had went to a car wash & when I was leaving & turned right at the light my door flew open & few days later my steering wheel started to get hard to turn & it had started leaking bad .i had my kids in the car when both incident happened. Didn’t notify my insurance or police .

NHTSA complaint #11641011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 Chandler,, AZ

STEERING

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA complaint #11583631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 Chandler,, AZ

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA complaint #11583631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 Louisville, KY

STEERING

The fuel system faild had it replaced twice gss leaking as well as the power steering leaking badly went out while driving I had both replaced power steering is out again several months later car been sitting since then i looked up to see if there were any safty recalls I did find both on Kelly blue book and a few other sites I contacted dealership was told I could bring vehicle the the recalls don't expire once the vehicle was there received a phone call they had my vehicle however the said they didn't know what kind it was or why it was there I asked how could u not know that was told they had keys but haven't went out to look I gave all my information before the vehicle was picked up I told them the issue again I was told then that as long as it's a recall problem no charge two days later I received another call same thing not knowing what type of vehicle I explained the situation again this time I was told they see 7 recalls all expired but 1 on the break system and I will have to pay $198 plus tax $233 for diagnostic ran and that price doesn't count towards repairs I waited a few hours called in act like someone else and was told recalls don't expire when I explained what was going on and who I was they told me my recalls closed and can't reopen and the was told they didn't see anything about power steering recalls however it was before I had my car towed if this was a safety recall hiw can I tell what information is correct with old recalls and how do I get them to fix this I do have a older model that I purchased 3 years ago from what I can see on there website when putting in Vin only show current recalls and shows my vehicle not having any recalls work ever done this information was on mercedes of louisville website I feel like I'm getting the run around please help with this safety recall I have small kids and won't to be safety

NHTSA complaint #11552779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 38,000 miles Chandler, AZ

STEERING

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond as designed. The contact drove the vehicle safely off the road. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of a power steering rack leak. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V682000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #11458854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 132,945 miles Staten Island, NY

STEERING

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-50 mph, the vehicle started shuddering and lost stability. The ABS warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated she veered to the side of the road and then drove the vehicle to her residence at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS system and the power steering system had failed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 132,945.

NHTSA complaint #11426785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Mercedes Benz ML350 San Diego, CA

STEERING

Losing power steering pressure while driving the car: safety issue it appears Hard to steer the ML350

NHTSA complaint #11418175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 LOS Angeles, CA

STEERING

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2017 I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE DAY ONE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR WITH ALL THE WRONG THINGS WITH IT IT JOLTS OUT OF CONTROL IT'S SWERVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN THE POWER STEERING IS JUST A TOTAL MESS. WHEN I'M AT A STOP SIGN IT SUDDENLY STARTS SHAKING OUT OF NOWHERE AND THEN WITH THE CAR BEING IN PARK IS JOLTS BACK AND FORTH. I WENT TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT YESTERDAY I PARK MY CAR LIKE I NORMALLY WOULD NEXT TO YOU NOR I COME OUT THE CAR WON'T START THERE'S FLUID LEAKING AND I BELIEVE IT'S THE POWER STEERING. THIS CAR FEELS TOTALLY UNSAFE WHAT UP WRONG PURCHASE I MADE AND I'M NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO I CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR PLEASE HELP I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO

NHTSA complaint #11342682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 5 miles Wildomar, CA

STEERING

POWER STEERING FAILS, WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR PARALLELS PARKING. THIS HAS HAPPEN FOR YEARS AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT CAN LOCK UP . IT WAS AT ONE TIME A RECALL .AND MERCEDES MENTION TO ME THAT THE RECALL HAS ENDED. I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIGHT THIS . BUT I HAVE TAKING THE CAR TO MERCEDES TO DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 100.00 . WHEN I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11331689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 102,000 miles Arcadia, CA Crash

STEERING

I WAS DRIVING IN MY CAR TO WORK ON THE CITY STREET (SANTA ANITA AVE GOING NORTH IN THE CITY OF ARCADIA CA), WITHIN FEW MINUTES AFTER I LEFT THE HOUSE I FELT MY HANDS GET HOT PROBABLY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR RAN OVER THE CENTER DIVIDER AND FLIPPED OVER. FORTUNATELY, I CAME OUT OF THE CAR DAZED AND WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES.

NHTSA complaint #11327806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 113,000 miles Wildomar, CA

STEERING

A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. *BF WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 23, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372. SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A HOSE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION. *TR CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND WOULD NO LONGER HONOR IT.

NHTSA complaint #11325960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 43,000 miles Philadelphia, PA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN OCTOBER OF 2018 BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHERRY HILL (2151 NJ-70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE; HOWEVER, AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THEM IN OCTOBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #11257294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 Whitehall, PA

STEERING

STEERING WHEEL GET HARD THEN SOFT ON TURN CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND SAID ITS THE RACK & PINION I LOOK ONLINE FOR RECALL THIER IS ONE FOR STEERING RACK SO I CALL THE DEALER THEY SAID MINE IS NOT

NHTSA complaint #11166211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 175,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

STEERING

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 STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA complaint #11163528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 78,000 miles Whiting, NJ

STEERING

MILEAGE 80K AND A STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN PIN. I SEE A RECALL 2008120011 AND FOLLOWING THE DOCUMENTATION THIS VIN QUALIFIES FOR IT BUT THE MB DEALER IS SAYING THAT THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL FOR THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11121948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 150,000 miles Saint Johns, FL

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED STEERING FLUID, WHICH MADE THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR ABOVE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND APPROACHING A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONTACTED AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF JACKSONVILLE, 10231 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225), BUT NO REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11100435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 162,000 miles Atlanta, GA

STEERING

LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID COMING FROM HOSES, OR PIPE, OR SOME CONNECTION. I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WHEN I STARTED MY CAR ONLY TO HEAR A LOUD WHINING NOISE AND A HARD-TO-TURN STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #11097043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 90,000 miles LOS Angelos, CA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT WAS TURNED AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE COLUMN. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10936803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz ML350 at 90,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

STEERING

STEERING FEELS WEIRD

NHTSA complaint #10926785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mercedes Benz ML350 problems