VehicleVerdict

2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 sits mid-pack among Ml350 years: 92 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 93, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (25% of the total).

92

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Ml350 years?

Ml350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted235 complaints2001: 2 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 44 complaints2005: 28 complaints2006: 235 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 93 complaints2009: 105 complaints2010: 113 complaints2011: 126 complaints2012: 92 complaints2013: 82 complaints2014: 107 complaints2015: 78 complaints
Ml350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ml350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2325%
Fuel System1718%
Electrical System1213%
Lighting910%
Steering67%
Transmission55%
Driver Assistance55%
Seat Belts33%
Body & Structure33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Brakes22%
Other22%
Airbags22%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V955000Fuel SystemDecember 23, 2022 · 348,183 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V272000SuspensionApril 27, 2018 · 9,725 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V177000Electrical SystemMarch 14, 2017 · 51 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

12E028000OtherAugust 9, 2012 · 8,879 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain accessory all-season floor mats sold for use in model year 2012 and 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class vehicles. This all-season floor mat may not fully conform to the contour of the vehicle's floor plan as intended. Clearance between the mat and the gas pedal may be reduced, possibly allowing the pedal to become trapped.

Consequence

This interference could prevent the gas pedal from retracting and the vehicle may not decelerate as expected when the driver lifts their foot from the gas pedal, which could increase the risk of a crash. Should the pedal become trapped, steady application of the brakes will allow the vehicle to be brought to a stop.

Remedy

Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the floor mats free of charge. Until replacement mats become available, consumers are advised to remove their floor mats from the vehicle. The safety recall began on December 21, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the accessory floor mats are affected. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz for more information at 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY ML350 ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK. SHE SAID THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE IN AN UNUSUAL WAY SO SHE DECIDED TO GET OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT AND WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES ON THE OFF RAMP THE CAR'S ENGINE STOPPED. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DASH READ INOPERABLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2013 · crash

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY ML350 ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK. SHE SAID THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE IN AN UNUSUAL WAY SO SHE DECIDED TO GET OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT AND WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES ON THE OFF RAMP THE CAR'S ENGINE STOPPED. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DASH READ INOPERABLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 1, 2013 · crash

Turn signals will not operate, dealership quoted me $1400 3 years ago, had the work performed and now the issue is happening again and I am being quoted the same amount of money. This is a safety concern if I cannot signal to others where I am turning!!!!! This could cause an accident!!!!! This is…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 12, 2020 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 10, 2021 · crash

Turn signals will not operate, dealership quoted me $1400 3 years ago, had the work performed and now the issue is happening again and I am being quoted the same amount of money. This is a safety concern if I cannot signal to others where I am turning!!!!! This could cause an accident!!!!! This is…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 12, 2020 · crash

2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 — common questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ml350: 92 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Ml350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (23 complaints), fuel system (17 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints).

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ml350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Ml350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ml350 years to avoid are 2006, 2011, 2010, 2009. The cleanest record among Ml350 years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.