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2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 is engine and cooling, typically around 61,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical ML350 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
89/100
Owner complaints
23
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
782 warranty
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
15mpg

The worst 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 problems

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

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    6
  • Steering
    6
  • Transmission
    5
  • Seats
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Locks
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350

Stalling 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 78

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

See all 78 bulletins for the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350

2005 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 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Locks, Steering · AZ

I had went to a car wash & when I was leaving & turned right at the light my door flew open & few days later my steering wheel started to get hard to turn & it had started leaking bad .i had my kids in the car when both incident happened. Didn’t notify my insurance or police .

Filed Jul 20, 2023 · Brakes · 200,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brake warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that her husband depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle and had to apply added pressure to the brake pedal, with the brake pedal extending to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained stuck on the floorboard. The contact’s husband shifted into park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · FL

Occassionally while driving the vehicle, it stalls in gear,that is the gear shift doesn't work and the vehiclestays in one gear even while moving.usually the driver has to stop briefly shifts the gear to another gear and then starts again.in a few seconds wwe can drive again.until the same thing happens again perhaps in a few months or so.this always happen when the vehicle is in motion more generally on city street.this began to happen from the very moment I purchased the car and within two hours of driving and has continued to happen since

Filed Jun 10, 2016 · Engine · 95,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 mercedes-benz ml350. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the odor of smoke was present inside the vehicle and dark smoke was observed coming from the dashboard. After stopping the vehicle, the fire department was called to the scene to extinguish flames that came from the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries and a fire report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Body · 65,000 miles · MD

Commercial mack truck dot #[xxx] driver name [xxx] md tag [xxx]truck VIN #[xxx] commercial entered md rt five north at 1:30 pm and heavy amounts of rocks were falling from lower edge between tailgate and body of truck bed. Major falling debris caused heavy damage to our windshield and front paint on hood and bumper. We now have numerous cracks in windshield and damage to front end body and paint. We attempted to catch up to truck to notify driver but the extremely heavy amount of falling rocks prevented being able to catch up to driver safely. Extremely upset driver failed to safely secure load causing extremely unsafe road conditions and damage to other following vehicles. It was impossible with the amount of rocks falling from this truck for the driver to not be aware of it, my two cents. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 18, 2015 · Fuel system · 84,792 miles · TN

While driving on 3/14/15 the car had trouble starting. I managed to reach home. Next morning on 3/15/15 I backed car out of garage - had the same problem starting car. After parking car in garage, I suddenly noticed that gasoline was leaking from under the left passenger seat to the garage floor. On 3/16/15 morning I called up mercedes benz roadside assistance and had the car towed to dealership. I was told the fuel line from the fuel filter to the engine compartment had come partially off the fuel filter. It was reconnected but I was told it could come off. This is a car my spouse drives and I am concerned about a potential fire hazard. I have drive various automobiles since I first came to the USA in december 1974 and have never had a problem like this. What should I be doing?

Filed Mar 25, 2013 · Seats · 90,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz ml350. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, she noticed a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the contact stated that the seat warmer had overheated and burned a hole in the leather. As a result, the seat element warmer and the seat pad needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Dec 26, 2011 · Seats · 78,650 miles · CA

Driver heated seat burning underside of left thigh on both low and high settings. On 12/26/11, it felt hotter than normal (even on a very short 6-7 minute journey) burning index finger when seat leather was being felt. There is also smell of burning. I switched heated seat off immediately. A "hot spot" is visible on the leather seat where the element seems to have overheated.

Filed Sep 15, 2011 · Seats · 32,000 miles · NY · fire · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz ml350. While driving approximately 5 MPH in reverse, the drivers side heated seat was activated and suddenly the contact experienced a severe burning sensation directly to the skin from the lower portion of the drivers seat. The contact exit the vehicle and observed smoke and flames emitting from the top of the drivers seat. Immediately, assistance was provided and the flames were smothered by and individual who used their hands to extinguish the fire. The contact suffered minor burns to his back and the other person sustained minor burns to both hands. The fire department was not notified. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was waiting for a response from the technician to determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2011 · Steering, Transmission · 60,000 miles · VA

Bought the 2005 ml350 used last summer (2010). In the first few weeks of owning the vehicle while slowing down or stopped, the acceleration seemed to drop low enough to make the vehicle stall. No check engine light on, but took it back to the dealership and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Since then, it has happened multiple times over the year. Also, while starting the vehicle it will stall and I will have to keep retrying to start it and press the acceleration pedal to get it to finally start. (only use the recommended octane suggestions from the mercedes booklet, and follow all directions during fueling) finally, seems to possibly have a steering fluid leak. (only use mercedes power steering fluid from dealership).

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Questions about the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350

Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 reliable?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350, fewer than a typical ML350 model year.

What is the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 year score?

The 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 scores 89 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 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350?

Engine and cooling, with 6 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles. Next is steering (6).

How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Mercedes Benz ML350 have bad engine?

The Mercedes Benz ML350 model years with the most engine complaints are 2006 (53 complaints) and 2007 (12 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 range from 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 14 city and 17 highway.

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