Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 2008 Mercedes Benz ML550 with NHTSA between 2012 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
520.8%
Median failure at 25,695 miles
Steering
416.7%
Median failure at 105,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
28.3%
Seat Belts
28.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Brakes
28.3%
Airbags
28.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 79,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
28.3%
Median failure at 51,355 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
14.2%
Tires
14.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.2%
Lights
14.2%
Suspension
14.2%
Median failure at 113,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
110.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
110.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
330.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
150,000+ miles
220.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2012peak 4Aug 2025
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Spring, TX1 injured
TIRES
Cooper Tire Evolution 245/65R17 - Tire Tread Separation - the entire tread out layer came off of the driver side front tire while driving on the freeway - the tire was not deflated - the entire tread hit the driver side mirror breaking it completely off - hitting driver window and deploying all airbags on driver side of the vehicle. The tire itself still was fully aired and full circle entire outer layer of tread was off of the tire. Caused vehicle damage - Personal Injury
NHTSA complaint #11482707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesSAN Francisco, CACrash
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I HAD AN AUTO COLLISION IN 2008, WHERE VEHICLE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY (AAA) PAID $40,000.00 FOR REPAIRS. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T ACTIVATE. MAYBE I SHOULD THANK THE LORD, IT DIDN'T ACTIVATE.
NHTSA complaint #10863261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Malvern, PA
ENGINE
Engine died and won't run. Known issue with MB balance shaft that they refuse to repair or help with the cost of a $8k job. Highly disappointed.
NHTSA complaint #11683622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rialto, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
unknown
NHTSA complaint #11522874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11500853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX1 injured
TIRES
Cooper Tire Evolution 245/65R17 - Tire Tread Separation - the entire tread out layer came off of the driver side front tire while driving on the freeway - the tire was not deflated - the entire tread hit the driver side mirror breaking it completely off - hitting driver window and deploying all airbags on driver side of the vehicle. The tire itself still was fully aired and full circle entire outer layer of tread was off of the tire. Caused vehicle damage - Personal Injury
NHTSA complaint #11482707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centennial, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11466726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SEAT BELTS
back sit the seat belt locks in place and it does not lose its locked mechanics. I have found that several people are having the same problem. here is a link to a website Video describing the problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwZmUSWNOlk. I have found the problem is a small baring locking the belt. Please let me know if you need more info. As of now we are down to a 2 back passenger car or 3 but one without a belt - no good. I do think this qualifies as a safety issue - What if it had locked and harm one of my kids? I had lower the seat and I was not able to pull it up until I disabled the mechanics and neutralized the belt - that should not be the case - specially since many others are having the same problem. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11455524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Wales, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
safety defect rear sam acting up after rain . no lights no fuel gauge no remote no turn signal while driving almost had an accident
NHTSA complaint #11446311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Wales, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
safety defect rear sam acting up after rain . no lights no fuel gauge no remote no turn signal while driving almost had an accident
NHTSA complaint #11446311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyandanch, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My NHTSA #11431874 I have made a complaint about my back computer was damage by water where the is installed on the right side of my car now I found out that the reason my chairs are not moving is because the electrical is also damage this is so unfair the problem is not my car but the ways and place they installed the computer??
NHTSA complaint #11432654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyandanch, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My NHTSA #11431874 I have made a complaint about my back computer was damage by water where the is installed on the right side of my car now I found out that the reason my chairs are not moving is because the electrical is also damage this is so unfair the problem is not my car but the ways and place they installed the computer??
NHTSA complaint #11432654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyandanch, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The back computer seat on the top of the was supposed to be draining out of the car instead the water retrain in the cause damage to my the computer I complained about it but never got a solution until the water damage the and saw for the first time where was the water on back of my car this was careless why put computer on the top of water that caused the damage and problem for my car?
NHTSA complaint #11431874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyandanch, NY
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The back computer seat on the top of the was supposed to be draining out of the car instead the water retrain in the cause damage to my the computer I complained about it but never got a solution until the water damage the and saw for the first time where was the water on back of my car this was careless why put computer on the top of water that caused the damage and problem for my car?
NHTSA complaint #11431874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmetto, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
smells badly for gas in cabin and outside
NHTSA complaint #11424381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35 milesWest Chester, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE HAS MAJOR PROBLEM WITH REAR SAM AND SEAT NO POWER. EVER SINCE THIS ML WAS MADE 10 CAR I HAD WAS BOUGHT SAM AND NO POWER TO THE SEAT FRONT
NHTSA complaint #11402808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesHawthorne, CA
SUSPENSION
SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE. WHEN THE SUSPENSION IS FAULTY, SOMETIMES THE CAR IS STUCK DOWN- NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO RISE SO WHENEVER I DRIVE THROUGH A SPEED BUMP, MY CAR SCRUMPS/SCRATCHES THE BUMP. I HAVE TO FIX IT TWICE OR MORE EVERY YEAR AND IT IS QUITE FRUSTRATING. I WOULD APPRECIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THIS AS THIS IS CAUSING FINANCIAL STRAIN ON ME AND MY FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #11327399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesNEW Haven, CT
AIR BAGS
MY POWER STEERING PIN BROKE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SAME EXACT THING AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED
NHTSA complaint #10980173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesNEW Haven, CT
STEERING
MY POWER STEERING PIN BROKE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SAME EXACT THING AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED
NHTSA complaint #10980173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesArlington, TX
STEERING
NHTSA 08V682000 DEFECT IN POWER STEERING OIL PRESSURE DRIVING PIN. THE NHTSA SHOULD REEVALUATE ACCEPTING MERCEDES BENZ UNDERESTIMATING OF THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES THAT WERE EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THERE ARE STILL VEHICLES THAT ARE LOOSING POWER STEERING PRESSURE DUE TO THE DRIVING PIN THAT IS USED TO CONTROL POWER STEERING OIL PRESSURE BEING DEFECTIVE AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS. THE PIN BREAKS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE TURNING SO THE STEERING ASSIST WILL NO LONGER OPERATE EFFECTIVELY IT ALSO CAUSES OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE HARD STEERING DEFECT AS A RESULT OF THE PIN BREAKING. WHEN DRIVING COLD THE VEHICLE HAS POWER STEERING AVAILABLE, WHEN WARM VEHICLE LOOSES POWER STEERING, FLUID IS CIRCULATING IN POWER STEERING PUMP AND PRESSURE CHECKS FINE. AS A RESULT DUE TO HARD STEERING LEAKS DEVELOP DUE TO POWER STEERING PRESSURES VARIANCES IN THE STEERING SYSTEM OVER TIME A FIRE AND OTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEMS CAN ARISE. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING SOUND FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL NOT DUE TO TIE RODS.
NHTSA complaint #10950266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesSAN Francisco, CACrash
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I HAD AN AUTO COLLISION IN 2008, WHERE VEHICLE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY (AAA) PAID $40,000.00 FOR REPAIRS. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T ACTIVATE. MAYBE I SHOULD THANK THE LORD, IT DIDN'T ACTIVATE.
NHTSA complaint #10863261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10748023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesGroveland, MA
SEAT BELTS
LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT.. ONCE PULLED OUT, THEY DO NOT RETRACT.. LOOKING ON MERCEDES FORUMS, THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES FAILS TO ADDRESS..
NHTSA complaint #10573770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,355 milesStamford, CT
STEERING
ON TWO OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC/OPERATIONTHE ENGINE STALLED ON TURNING THE CAR. ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO UNBLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMED THE INCIDENT -A DID NEVER HAPPEN AND B-COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10453355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,355 milesStamford, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON TWO OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC/OPERATIONTHE ENGINE STALLED ON TURNING THE CAR. ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO UNBLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMED THE INCIDENT -A DID NEVER HAPPEN AND B-COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10453355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,355 milesStamford, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON TWO OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC/OPERATIONTHE ENGINE STALLED ON TURNING THE CAR. ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO UNBLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMED THE INCIDENT -A DID NEVER HAPPEN AND B-COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10453355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.