Model year record

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls & problems

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 has 3 safety recalls and 111 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (59 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints111filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

2 recalls for this model year carry an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 26, 2024

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 24V29800015,604 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 9, 2022

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 22V315000350,294 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Air bagsFeb 11, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V081000711,159 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

ML350

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

ML350 4matic

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bags	59	3	0	4	58,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch	16	1	2	0	56,956 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	11	1	0	1	105,500 mi
Service brakes	9	2	0	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)	7	2	0	1	66,000 mi
Engine	7	1	0	0	88,000 mi
Unknown or other	4	0	0	0	—
Exterior lighting	3	0	1	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	3	0	1	2	—
Vehicle speed control	3	1	0	1	—
StructureBody	2	1	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign. The contact swerved to the right and struck the curb. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Sep 27, 2026 · 129,000 miles
Engine
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60â65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle started sliding. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Jul 21, 2026 · 88,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was brake fluid leaking from the vehicle with the BRAKE warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Apr 22, 2026
Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While the daughter was driving at an unknown speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The driver heard an abnormal hissing or squeaking sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The contactâs son then drove the vehicle to a shopping center, and when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake warning light illuminated, and the vehicle unexpectedly entered SAFE Mode. The contact was unable to shift to drive(D). The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated…
Mar 2, 2026 · 111,000 miles
Service brakes
Corroded brake lines. This is a well known issue for many ML350s built during this time period. This car was built with steel brake lines that easily corrode and present a serious safety issue. While driving a few months ago, the car suddenly lost the ability to brake because a line rusted completely through. The mechanic noted the lines are rusted in many other places as well. Mercedes refuses to correct this under warranty.
Jul 1, 2025
Service brakes
ABS Pump defective. Dealer refuses to replace this safety item.
Jul 21, 2025
Electrical system
I believe the electrical system may be defective as ever since I have had it the light bulbs frequently have to be changed. We own three vehicles in my households (the other 2 are non-Mercedes) and none of my other vehicles do this. The latest issue with the electrical system is that the rear tail lamp and power lift gate. I was told there was water that was getting in from somewhere but mechanic could not find where. I need a new SAM module and that is why my power lift gate motor does not work. As I did some research online, the same exact problem was recalled on a the same model but the 2009 model and I have the 2011 model. I believe my car should be part of the same recall which I…
Mar 1, 2025
Service brakes
I was driving locally and when I put on the brakes for a car exiting a street. Immediately my car sensor went on and my car brakes started to fail. It was a very scary situation. This is a known problem with Mercedes. Mercedes has a recall for the brake booster but will not fix the booster without the brake like being fixed. I have reached out to foreign motor car dealerships and this issue with the brake line is a known problem and a safety issue but Mercedes is not taking responsibility for this issue that can kill someone for their parts that are corroding and rotting. Mercedes too years to take responsibility for the brake booster which can kill people and now they are not taking…
Aug 15, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021