2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
The Floor Mats I received for my vehicle covered a portion of my accelerator pedal and would when up into the back above the pedal and to the right of it and would get caught and force my accelerator pedal to stay down. I told the company of their design flaw, and they said would not do anything abo...
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 INDE...
Mileage: 175,000
I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RESEVIOUR, AND HOSE AFTER LOOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFILLING WITH FLUID ALL THE CONTENTS RAN RIGHT OUT. I DO SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2008, BUT I DID NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE UN...
Mileage: 136,690
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ...
Mileage: 99,000
RANDOM LOSS OF POWER ' (THE ENTIRE PANEL LIGHTS UP) AS THE CAR SUDDENLY AND SLOWLY POWERS OFF WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A DROP, DRIVING, BREAKING, AND TURNING, COMING TO A STOP AND ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 3800.00 FOR CAR REPAIR ON THE ML 350. IT SHUTS OFF MORE AND MO...
RANDOM LOSS OF POWER ' (THE ENTIRE PANEL LIGHTS UP) AS THE CAR SUDDENLY AND SLOWLY POWERS OFF WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A DROP, DRIVING, BREAKING, AND TURNING, COMING TO A STOP AND ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 3800.00 FOR CAR REPAIR ON THE ML 350. IT SHUTS OFF MORE AND MO...
WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VE...
Mileage: 97,000
WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VE...
Mileage: 97,000
WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VE...
Mileage: 97,000
I HAVE A 2003 ML350 SUV. I BOUGHT MY CAR USED. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS REGARDING STEERING. I HAVE REPLACED ONE RACK AND PIN WHICH I BELIEVE WAS USED. NOW I AM IN NEED OF ANOTHER ONE. *TR
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, BURNS WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. BURN SMELL, BURNED SKIN OF DRIVER. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE READ OF MANY INSTANCES OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. MERCEDES NEEDS TO REPLACE SEAT. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 01/2008 AFTER A MONTH OR TWO I STARTED TO FILL RESERVOIR WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AS NEEDED WHICH IS OFTEN. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ REGARDING THE RECALL BUT DENIED MY REQUEST. THANKS *TR
Mileage: 57,500
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, WHEN I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE SUV BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT. I SAW AN OIL LEAK WHERE IT HAD BEEN PARKED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY TOYOTA, AND LEFT THE MERCEDES PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE LARGE OIL LE...
Mileage: 74,072
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. WHEN TURNED ON, THE SEAT WARMER IN THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HOT, I HAVE RECEIVED A SLIGHT BURN AND I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR A FIRE (TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE MAY BE UNDER THE SEAT COVER) ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE TURNED THE SEAT WAR...
RE: NHTSA SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005 VEHICLE INFORMATION: 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ODI#10261473 MY ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER, 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOU...
Mileage: 29,000
IN REGARDING TO SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005: 1. HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION. 2. ITS CONSEQUENCES: A. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING B. VALVE COVERS LEAKING 3...
Mileage: 49,492
IN REGARDING TO SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005: 1. HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION. 2. ITS CONSEQUENCES: A. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING B. VALVE COVERS LEAKING 3...
Mileage: 49,492
MY 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE, [email protected], 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: 206....
Mileage: 29,000
MY M-350 HAD NO POWER. THE HARNESS CABLE (163-540-28-32) LOCATED BEHIND AND AGAINST THE BATTERY HAD COMPLETELY BEEN DESTROYED BY THE BATTERY ACID ENVIRONMENT. THE CABLE SUPPLIES THE OPERATIONAL POWER TO THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTO. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING WHEN THIS COMPLETE FAILURE OCCURRED...
Mileage: 77,500
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW HOSE CLAMP AT THE COST OF $259. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. SHE THEN RECEIVED A RE...
Mileage: 64,000
MY FAMILY OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY MOM NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE BELIEVED ONE OF THE MECHANICS BURNT IT WITH A TOOL DURING THE CAR'S SERVICE. SO THIS BURN MARK WAS IGNORED. ON DEC. 13, 2008 AROUND 8:20 AM, MY MOM, WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SMELLED SM...
Mileage: 24,500
MY FAMILY OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY MOM NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE BELIEVED ONE OF THE MECHANICS BURNT IT WITH A TOOL DURING THE CAR'S SERVICE. SO THIS BURN MARK WAS IGNORED. ON DEC. 13, 2008 AROUND 8:20 AM, MY MOM, WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SMELLED SM...
Mileage: 24,500
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNING. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR HIS WALLET IN HIS BACKPOCKET, HIS PANTS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNED THROUGH HIS LEA...
Mileage: 51,400
I OWN A MERCEDES ML 350 2003; WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK THIS MORNING THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING, BECAME DISABLED AND STEERING, BECAME IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR SLOWED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROAD WITH SPEED LIMITS UP TO 40 MPH AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR INTO THE SHOULDER ...
Mileage: 93,000
HEATED SEAT, DRIVER SIDE, BURNT THROUGH SEAT ON LEFT SIDE OF THIGH AND THROUGH CLOTHING. SKIRT AND JACKET DAMAGED. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY A NATIONAL RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS, INCLUDING MGR AT MERCEDES OF GREENWICH WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Mileage: 36,555
2003 MERCEDES ML 350 SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE HEAT SEATING DEVICE THAT IS WHEN THE SEATS CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD SIDE A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WERE IT IS CURRENTL...
Mileage: 35,000
STEERING IS MAKING A WHEEZING NOISE AND IT FEELS HARD TO STEER COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. ENGINE FELLS LIKE STALLING AFTER HITTING BRAKES; ENGINE IS SHAKING ON THE DRIVE MODE WHEN YOU ARE NOT MOVING AND ON BRAKE MODE; MORE THAN 10 TIMES, WILL TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON. *NM
Mileage: 19,000
STEERING IS MAKING A WHEEZING NOISE AND IT FEELS HARD TO STEER COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. ENGINE FELLS LIKE STALLING AFTER HITTING BRAKES; ENGINE IS SHAKING ON THE DRIVE MODE WHEN YOU ARE NOT MOVING AND ON BRAKE MODE; MORE THAN 10 TIMES, WILL TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON. *NM
Mileage: 19,000
DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT CAUSING A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT . DAMAGED DRIVERS PANTS AND WALLET. DEALER TO REPAIR/REPLACE SEAT IN MID JULY
THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT OVERHEAT BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER. *JB *BF *NM
Mileage: 26,652