2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 21% of complaints. Next are steering (21%) and seats (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 28 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 67,000 miles 24 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 24 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 67,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML350 with enough data (16 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz ml350. While driving approximately 5 MPH in reverse, the drivers side heated seat was activated and suddenly the contact experienced a severe burning sensation directly to the skin from the lower portion of the drivers seat. The contact exit the vehicle and observed smoke and flames emitting from the top of the drivers seat. Immediately, assistance was provided and the flames were smothered by and individual who used their hands to extinguish the fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz ml350. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, she noticed a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the contact stated that the seat warmer had overheated and burned a hole in the leather. As a result, the seat element warmer and the seat pad needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 mercedes-benz ml350. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the odor of smoke was present inside the vehicle and dark smoke was observed coming from the dashboard. After stopping the vehicle, the fire department was called to the scene to extinguish flames that came from the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries and a fire report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 95,000.
The cup holder on ml 350 mercedes benz is not design well I got bad burn several times by placing coffee in cup holder ,I talk with mercedes benz people mentioned to sorry you have to pay to replace different cup holder ,also on hand brake doesn't work after several time used,doesn't release car made really cheap design and high price.
The 2005 ml 350 I believe is experiencing the same problems that LED to recalls for ml series in 2003, 2004 and possibly other years. The power steering system looses fluid caused by leaks in the plumbing of the power steering pump. The only sign of an initial problem was the noise made by the pump because of loss of fluid. This vehicle requires special fluid which is not commonly available. Loss of steering control is the result of the loss of fluid.