Check a VIN

2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 is steering, typically around 90,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical ML350 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
85/100
Owner complaints
35
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
661 warranty
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
15mpg

The worst 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Steering
    6
  • Airbags
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    4

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    6
  • Airbags
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Seats
    4
  • Body
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 66

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 66 bulletins for the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350

2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.7L 6‑cyl4WD141715

What 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · CA

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. To spread the load on the snow the base of the jack was on a roughly 10" long piece of 2x4, which was placed on a roughly 8x10 inch piece of plywood. Jack worked fine for the first 2 wheels. On the 3rd wheel the "thrust washer" that transfers force from the nut that rides on the main screw, to the hinged arm which picks up the car, split in half without warning. This resulted in a sudden and complete failure of the jack, dropping the car back to it's starting position.

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · Fuel system · NJ

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 this component takes the gas vapors that has not been burned off and reroutes it through the charcoal canister and back into the engine so it can be burnt off and not enter the atmosphere and enter the inside of the vehicle. Well My suv has failed inspection for emissions and that’s why I brought it in to Mercedes. Well the service department at Mercedes called me 8 days later and said Mercedes does not make that part anymore. And no other aftermarket company makes it either. They charged me $200 to tell me they can’t fix it because the part is not made anymore. So am I safe ? Why Mercedes never recalled a vehicle that can not pass states emissions test. I wrote a letter to the head of Mercedes in Europe and the United States. They offered me $2,000 off of a new Mercedes or $1,000 off a Pre owned Mercedes. Sounds like they know something is not right here. So my complaint is can a car manufacturer stop producing a part that is needed to safely pass the emissions test and isn’t these fumes harmful to me and my family?

Filed Jun 14, 2020 · Airbags · 178,000 miles · NJ

The air bag light came on when the car hit 170.000 miles

Filed May 16, 2019 · Seats · 100,000 miles · NJ

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

Filed May 21, 2018 · Steering · 162,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Sep 18, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · TX

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.

Filed Dec 21, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 90,000 miles · CA

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 and power steering fluid leaked from the column. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated without warning. It was diagnosed that the power steering hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Transmission · 165,000 miles · OR

Transmission disengages at highway speeds

Filed Feb 21, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 96,000 miles · TX

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 wiring harness was fabricated and the discrepancy was corrected. This is a dangerous situation. The bare wires are in an enclosed headlamp assembly, contacting flammable materials. A short in these wires can lead to system failures, overheating and fire in the headlamp area. Recommend a recall for inspection and if this discrepancy is discovered, recommend an immediate replacement of the wires in the headlamp assembly.

Filed Sep 15, 2015 · Brakes · 10,040 miles · IL

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 repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,040.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 before you buy

Compare the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350

Other model years

20012003200420052006200720082009

Questions about the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350

Is the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 reliable?

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350, fewer than a typical ML350 model year.

What is the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 year score?

The 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 scores 85 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz ML350: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350?

Steering, with 6 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is airbags (5).

How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Mercedes Benz ML350 have bad steering?

The Mercedes Benz ML350 model years with the most steering complaints are 2008 (24 complaints), 2006 (16 complaints) and 2003 (11 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350 range from 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 14 city and 17 highway.

Share your experience with the 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2004 Mercedes Benz ML350?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN