There are 3 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
WHILE DRIVING A MERCEDES ML350 ON THE ROAD, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART, THE STARTER CRANKED BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHEN I TRIED AGAIN AN HOUR LATER, THE ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, LATER IN THE DAY. IF I HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DANGEROUS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MERCEDES MECHANIC WHO IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG AND HE REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. HE SAID THAT THIS FREQUENTLY HAPPENS WITH THE ML350. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DURING A DOWNHILL BRAKING SITUATION, THERE WAS A HESITATION BETWEEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. THE HESITATION LASTED BETWEEN 2 AND 3 SECONDS, AND THERE WAS NO RPM INCREASE DURING THAT PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT THE TIME.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026