2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350, most often about engine. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
28
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Median mileage
94,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 9 of 28 complaints (32%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (7) and electrical system (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 94,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries.
  • The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 2nd of 11 Mercedes-Benz ML350 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 8% more complaints than the 2011 model year (26).

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems by category

  • Engine
    9 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    7 complaints
  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Lighting · 2 crashes
    6 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Brakes
    2 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine8
Electrical system7
Exterior lighting6
Fuel/propulsion system4
Steering4
Fuel system, diesel2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Lane departure: blind spot detection2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k660k–100k4100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 complaints that list mileage.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls (3)

  • Recall 22V955000Dec 23, 2022348,183 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.

    Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.

  • Recall 18V272000Apr 27, 20189,725 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:FRONT

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.

    Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

  • Recall 17V177000Mar 14, 201751 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Recent 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 13, 2026122,000 miPABrakesSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 30 - 35 MPH, the message "Do Not Drive Vehicle" was suddenly displayed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, and the brake fluid reservoir was topped off. The mechanic was unable to find any leaks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The message turned off and was displayed again 4 hours later. The contact was called by his wife, and the vehicle was driven to the residence…
    NHTSA complaint #11749928 · source
  2. Filed Apr 14, 2026NMFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Engine stalled driving on interstate highway at 70mph. Mechanic diagnostic indicated to be faulty fuel pump and/or fuel pump control unit. This issue has been recognized by mercedes benz as a faulty issue and subject to recall. Upon calling mercedes benz dealer was told there was no recall on this matter for my vehicle contradicting this issue previously recognized by mercedes benz.
    NHTSA complaint #11731177 · source
  3. Filed Jan 23, 2025TNElectrical SystemEngine
    My name is [XXX] My vehicle cut off on me 3 times twice while stationary and once at an intersection. Found oil in engine control module due to failed cam position sensors. Oil has traveled through the engine harness to ECM causing oil to get into module and cause it to shut down but it did start back up. This is very dangerous and could cause serious injury to someone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11637887 · source
  4. Filed Jan 6, 2025SCFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Vehicle stalled without warning, and I was advised by a mechanic that the fuel pump control unit was reporting a fault through the onboard diagnostics port and the check engine light on the dashboard. It was necessary to replace the fuel pump control unit as the defect was intermittent and subject to occur at any time the vehicle was being driven. There is no available solution save the replacement. I had the fuel pump control unit replaced at my cost and after replacing it…
    NHTSA complaint #11634404 · source
  5. Filed Dec 8, 2024MIDriver Assistance & Safety TechSeats & Seat Belts
    The driver's seat belt is locked and the retractor is not working without any reason. The front adaptive cruise control radar is also not working, along with the crucial blind spot sensor. Because of this, the vehicle cruise control (even without adaptive mode) is not working at all. This is a big safety issue and it is illegal to even drive this car without the seat belt working.
    NHTSA complaint #11629538 · source
  6. Filed Dec 2, 202465,000 miNYEngine
    The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the abnormal shaking occurred at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with timing chain failure. The contact was informed that the timing…
    NHTSA complaint #11628291 · source
  7. Filed Nov 15, 2024CAFire1 injuredOther / Unknown
    My wife was driving home from shopping and noticed an accumulation of dust on the rear window. She used the rear wiper to clean it but it came right back, she repeated twice and gave up. Approx 3-4 miles later she heard a POP and red lights came on the dash, when she pulled over ASAP in a safe spot smoke started coming from under the hood. She shut the engine off and tried to exit the car to find the hood release under the dash but there was fire coming out from under the…
    NHTSA complaint #11625550 · source
  8. Filed Jul 22, 2024NJCrash2 injuredTowedLighting
    My indicators stopped working a month prior to accident, then they started working again. On March 10th the issue happened again where I turned my signal on and no light appeared and no light on the dash with the indicator sound either. Boom, I had sideswipe someone on a major road causing an accident. NHTSA needs to do something about this because corporate won’t do anything!
    NHTSA complaint #11603926 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology