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2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350, most often about the engine (35% of complaints, typically around 42,500 miles). It is 4th of 6 ML350 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems
Engine
23 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Our 2012 mb has 42500 miles on the engine warning light came on it is related to the blue additive emission apparently this has been a common occurrence from what I read on line, mb will not cover this and they charge $3000.00 to fix, after researching online mercedes are aware of this but do care about it and will…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While at a stop light, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the radio and air conditioner failed to function. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of coconut creek (4250 sr 7, coconut creek, fl 33073, phone: ([phone])…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 mercedes benz ML350. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained for approximately 21 days for a diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the fuel line, the fuel pump and three pin connector needed…
After being into authorized mercedes benz dealership only for an strong diesel fuel smell and oil leak 3 times in less than 4 months on our ML350 bluetec engine fuel smell is strong enough that we have a sever headache ,nauseous feeling and have to stop the car and get out for fresh air, opening windows only gets more…
Electrical
11 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles.
On occasion the blind spot assist becomes inoperative. Frequently when this occurs, it also deactivates the turn signals creating, in my opinion, a very dangerous situation. Each time it's happened in motion on an expressway. I've contacted the local mercedes benz dealer who tells me the only way to correct this…
On random occasions, while in motion at any speed, the message "blind spot assist is inoperative" and indicator lights stop working. The only way to clear it is to stop the vehicle, turn off the ignition and start the vehicle back up.
Lights
9 complaints · 14%The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that head light would not illuminate beyond twenty five feet, making night time driving very difficult. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer could not determine that there was a defect. The contact stated that he had to utilize the…
The headlights are really dim. It's hard to see the curb in the night when driving from a road with no curb and entering a road with curb.
Steering
7 complaints · 11%I am going to uhaul to rent trailer. Uhaul is around 8 miles from my house.after 7 miles of driving on the road suddenly showing error message " power steering malfunction refer to operator's manual" at that time steering was super super super hard to turn. Immediately I turned on the hazardous lights. Applied full…
While traveling at 55mph the steering suddenly felt very stiff and hard to move. Had to apply brakes when it seemed I couldn't negotiate a curve in the road. The steering returned to normal shortly after applying the brakes. The steering problem occurred again in a local shopping center parking lot at slow speed.…
Transmission
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles.
Oil was leaking from the engine which was the result of a faulty part that mercedes has subsequently replaced with a new re-engineered part. The dealer indicated that the issue is systemic with all blue-tec m and g class vehicles which mercedes will not cover the charge for. The repair requires that the engine be…
This car's transmission went out at 70,000 miles (2015), which is way too early. Driving when the transmission began to act up was very dangerous and potentially as it lost power could have caused collision. I replaced transmission for $14,000 and then the transmission went out for a second time (2019). Causing the…
Driver assistance
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: blind spot detection, warning, adaptive cruise control.
On occasion the blind spot assist becomes inoperative. Frequently when this occurs, it also deactivates the turn signals creating, in my opinion, a very dangerous situation. Each time it's happened in motion on an expressway. I've contacted the local mercedes benz dealer who tells me the only way to correct this…
The turn signals stop working after driving the car for a few minutes. To get them to work again requires stopping the car, shutting off the engine and restarting it which in turn resets the computer. This effort does not permanently fix the issue and they usually quit working again within two to ten miles. This is…
Brakes
3 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While the contactâs 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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls
Fuel system: control/drive module
Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: front
Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (23 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles); fuel system (16 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles); electrical (11 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 23, 2022 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz ML350?
- It is 4th of 6 ML350 model years by number of complaints, with 65 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.