2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
OEM jack failed without warning. No injuries but it could have been bad. Car got stuck and spinning wheels dug into a region of hard packed snow over a gravel driveway at my father's house. I was using the jack to lift the wheels out of their holes so I could fill the hole with chunks of wood...
Hello my check engine light is on in my 2004 Mercedes ml350 so I took it to a Mercedes dealership for inspection and repairs. They kept my suv for 8 days and finally called me back and said they believe the check engine light is on because I need to replace my charcoal canister shut off valve. Now t...
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE CAR HIT 170.000 MILES
Mileage: 178,000
FRONT SEATS GETS VERY HOT WHENEVER WE TURN ON THE SEAT WARMER OPTION. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN AT LEAST FROM 5 TO 6 MONTHS. WE ARE SCARED IT MIGHT BURN OUR BACKS. THANKS
Mileage: 100,000
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.
Mileage: 162,000
DISCOVERED BRITTLE, BROKEN AND MISSING WIRING INSULATION ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT ALLOWED THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WIRES TO COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CREATING A SHORT.
DISCOVERED BRITTLE, BROKEN AND MISSING WIRING INSULATION ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT ALLOWED THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WIRES TO COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CREATING A SHORT.
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 ...
Mileage: 90,000
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 ...
Mileage: 90,000
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
Mileage: 165,000
DURING A ROUTINE CHANGE OF A HEADLIGHT LAMP, THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DISCOVER THAT THE INSULATION ON ALL FOUR WIRES IN THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE CRACKED, DISINTEGRATING AND MISSING LEAVING THE BARE WIRES EXPOSED. THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WOULD NOT CHANGE THE BULB UNTIL A NEW WIRIN...
Mileage: 96,000
DURING A ROUTINE CHANGE OF A HEADLIGHT LAMP, THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DISCOVER THAT THE INSULATION ON ALL FOUR WIRES IN THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE CRACKED, DISINTEGRATING AND MISSING LEAVING THE BARE WIRES EXPOSED. THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WOULD NOT CHANGE THE BULB UNTIL A NEW WIRIN...
Mileage: 96,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SLOWING DOWN ON A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPA...
Mileage: 10,040
CAR SUDDENLY DEVELOPED EXTREME GASOLINE ODOR AFTER A BRIEF 20 MILE TRIP. CURSORY CHECK DID NOT IDENTIFY SOURCE. UPON RETURN TRIP, SAME EXTREME SICKENING ODOR RETURNED. UPON PULLING INTO GARAGE GASOLINE WAS VISIBLY POURING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND POOLING ON GROUND. IT LOOKED TO BE COMING DIRECTL...
Mileage: 67,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE CLAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA...
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N...
Mileage: 117,000
SIDE-SWIPED ON THE FREEWAY. WITNESS STATE THE VEHICLE ROLLED 4-5 TIMES. NO FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Mileage: 129,251
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET, I NOTICED THAT BRAKES HAD STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED THAT A CORRODED BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I HAD CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODING IN THE AREA ...
Mileage: 50,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES ML350. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS...
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD AND THE FAILU...
Mileage: 55,000
MAY 2010 I HAVE PROBLEM IN MY 2004 ML350. MY WIFE TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER TO THE HIGH SETTING. WITHIN A SHORT TIME THE HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE IN A SMALL SPOT ( LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN) WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ...
Mileage: 65,500
WHILE DRIVING 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 ON PUBLIC STREET THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER WHILE MOVING AT 30 - 35 MPH. LOST BOTH POWER STEERING CONTROL AND POWER BRAKING ABILITY AS A RESULT. WAS ABLE TO AVOID COLLISIONS AND COASTED INTO AN OFF STREET AREA SAFELY. UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ( HIGH SPEED FREEW...
Mileage: 104,000
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, RESULTING IN OCCASIONAL HARD STEERING. THIS ALSO OCCURRED IN JANUARY AND APRIL. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND MERCEDES USA AND WERE TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE SEPTEMBER 2008 RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 61,500
THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER OVER-HEATED AND CAUSED A MINOR BURN WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF REPLACEMENT BUT WOULD NOT GIVE THE DEFECTIVE PART BACK TO ME EVEN WHEN I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR IT. WHILE SEARCHING FOR MORE INFORMATION, I CAME ACROSS OTHER IN...
Mileage: 102,000
A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY SUV. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY LOST OF POWER STEERING FLUID UNTIL I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND I LATER CHECK THE AREA WHERE I HAD PARKED THE NIGHT BEFORE. I PARKED MY VEHICLE UNTIL I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS IS NOT...
Mileage: 61,000
SRS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS REMAIN ON. I WON'T BOTHER WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS BLOGS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A $750 SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES SHOULD SEEK RECOURSE WITH THEIR SUPPLIERS AND STAND BEHIND THEIR ...
Mileage: 75,000
I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES ML350 SUV AND I TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND IT GOT SO HOT THAT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT BURNED SO HOT THAT I HAD TO MOVE MY BODY AND WEIGHT TO MY RIGHT SIDE BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE YOU WERE SITTING ON COALS - EVEN THROUGH THE LEATHER INTERIOR. I DID NOT U...
Mileage: 73,000
WHILE DRIVING A MERCEDES ML350 ON THE ROAD, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART, THE STARTER CRANKED BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHEN I TRIED AGAIN AN HOUR LATER, THE ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, LATER IN THE DAY. ...
Mileage: 50,000
VERY LARGE PIECES OF PLASTIC TRIM HAVE BLOWN OFF MY CAR ON THE INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT I SURMISE IT DID SOME DAMAGE TO THE CARS BEHIND ME AND MOST LIKELY COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE TRIM WAS NOT FASTENED ON SECURELY AT THE FACTORY. *TR
Mileage: 48,000
2004 ML 350 HAD SRS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH THAT DID NOT GO OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THIS COULD RESULT IN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT, OR UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD A SEAT RECOGNITION SENSOR WAS REQUIRED FOR...
Mileage: 54,000
2004 ML 350 HAD SRS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH THAT DID NOT GO OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THIS COULD RESULT IN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT, OR UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD A SEAT RECOGNITION SENSOR WAS REQUIRED FOR...
Mileage: 54,000
A WOMAN RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. AFTER THE IMPACT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A DRIVER COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION YELLED OUT THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I SAW A BIG PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR ...
Mileage: 50,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING A DOWNHILL BRAKING SITUATION, THERE WAS A HESITATION BETWEEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. THE HESITATION LASTED BETWEEN 2 AND 3 SECONDS, AND THERE WAS NO RPM INCREASE DURING THAT PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT THE TIME.
Mileage: 24,695
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWS...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWS...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWS...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWS...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWS...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWS...
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER NO ADDITIONAL REPA...
DT: THE CONTAC TOWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ WITH 26,933 MILES ON IT THAT CUTS OFF WHEN HE HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. ON THE SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALER A NEW HARNESS WAS PLACED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AFTE...
Mileage: 29,350
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MERCEDES BENZ 350 ALONG ROUTE 1 IN NEW JERSEY, WITHOUT HEARING OR FEELING ANYTHING, MY GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED. WHEN I STOPPED I SAW A PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A STEADY FLOW OF GAS FROM UNDER MY CAR. THE FIRE DEPARATMENT CAME AND THE CAR WAS TOWED AWAY. ...
NHTSA 04V296000 CONCERNING SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT. AFTER HAVING THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACED THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK *TC
CRACK IN FRON BUMPER WITH NO OTHER DISCERNIBLE DAMAGE. ALL LIGHTS AND CASINGS IN TACT WITH NO MARKINGS TO INDICATE CRASH.*AK
Mileage: 11,000