Mercedes-Benz · ML-Class · 2009
0
Recalls
128
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class has no recalls and 128 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (42 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH on the parkway, the contact heard a noise and several warning lights illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the Signal Acquisition Module (SAM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V678000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was 148,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel locked. The battery warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while an independent mechanic was servicing the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that there was a mileage discrepancy based on the Carfax history report. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase in October 2024, the vehicle mileage was 146,743; however, the Carfax history report displayed that the mileage was 196,577 on July 15, 2024, while an Auction company was still in possession of the vehicle.
These models were recalled on March 9, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09v076000. my vin number apparently did not fall within the selected vin numbers. However my auto even though it is the same year as the recall has this same exact defect and condition and is deemed to be a fire hazard. what are my options.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH in heavy rain, she observed smoke emanating from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that there may have been unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, multiple unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the key pad stopped working, and multiple electrical components stopped working, and that she experienced sinus issues thereafter. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the SAM module got wet and there was an electrical fire because the wires were not covered and the SAM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was not diagnosed, but the SAM module was replaced. The failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic, where it has yet to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the brake sensor warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause someone to be injured in the event of a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
Fuel tank on driver side of vehicle is leaking. Heavy gas smell inside car and leakage around fuel tank. Took the vehicle in to mechanic today (04/13/23).
The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH with his wife in the front passenger seat and his children in the rear seats, his wife smelled a strong burning odor and saw smoke coming from underneath the front passenger seat. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. Both the contact and his family exited the vehicle and ran away from the vehicle. The contact stated that approximately 30 seconds after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire and exploded several times, causing a nearby tree to catch on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was awaiting to be totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-315.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Subject: Complaint Regarding Failure to Repair Safety Recall – Brake Booster (STOP DRIVE ORDER) Background In August 2022, I received a “STOP DRIVE ORDER” recall notice from Mercedes-Benz, informing me that my ML350 was unsafe to drive due to a defective brake booster. Despite repeated attempts over nearly three years, the recall repair has not been completed. Attempts to Obtain Recall Repair Initial Attempts: Contacted Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz (Las Vegas) twice; they refused to schedule service citing workload. Henderson Dealership: Scheduled inspection with Mercedes-Benz of Henderson. Technician inspected my ML350 at my home, confirmed the brake booster issue, and arranged for towing. Improper Repair Demands: After holding my vehicle two weeks, Henderson dealership issued an $8,200 estimate for unrelated repairs (tires, control arms, starter). I refused, as these were unnecessary and unrelated to the recall. The service manager demanded I remove the vehicle from the lot immediately or he would have it towed to impound. Recall Parts Unavailable When I contacted Mercedes-Benz USA, I was told parts for the brake booster recall were not available, contradicting the dealership’s prior statements. My vehicle was returned unrepaired. Vehicle Mishandling •Tow company returned the vehicle at the wrong time, left it on the street with a window down, and failed to return the key. •Despite repeated requests, the key has never been returned. •The ML350 sat exposed for months, registration expired, and I had to hire another tow company to move it to my driveway. Lack of Resolution •Vehicle has been unusable for nearly 3 years. •My written correspondence and calls to Mercedes-Benz USA have gone unanswered or been mishandled (frequent transfers/dropped calls). •I have suffered financial costs, inconvenience, and loss of vehicle value. I respectfully request that 1.Immediate replacement of the defective brake booster at no cost. 2.Retrieval of my original vehicle key o
In mid February/early March the brakes failed while the vehicle was moving in a parking lot. After exiting the vehicle with the emergency brake on, I found a pool of brake fluid under the car. After towing it home, I had to make the decision to leave the car sitting as I did not have the financial resources to take it to an authorized mechanic as I had lost my job in January. In May learned of the recall and called the number, only to be told that I have to wait for a letter in the mail and to do nothing until I receive a letter. After roughly 2 months we received that letter, and the only instructions were to set up a service appointment, which I did at their earliest date available, which was 20 days later. As the car sat undriveable for months on end the lines clearly corroded further and further, and the battery was also damaged by sitting uncharted for that period of time. So when they received the car, they would not repair the car until the battery was replaced, which they would not cover even though they are clearly the cause of that as well. Then, four days after receiving the car, they have decided that the brake failure was caused by excessive corrosion (which was not there until the car sat for as many months as it did) and they would not cover the repair nor finish the safety recall, and as I type this, have not confirmed if they are even going to cover the tow back to my home(over an hour away) so that I can perform the brake line repairs myself. I find all of this extremely hard to believe as we purchased the car less than two years before the incident and the steel lines were inspected before we picked it up. I understand corrosion can cause failure like this in extreme situations over long periods of time, but I do not believe that it was not caused by their neglect. I am desperate for help at this moment.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door with the key fob, the fob failed to open the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed that the headlights failed and the gas gauge also failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear Signal Acquisition Module (SAM) board was corroded, and the rear SAM module needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,284.
The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she detected a smoke odor inside the vehicle and pulled over. The contact saw that there was smoke coming from the trunk before the vehicle caught on fire. The SRS and battery warning lights were illuminated. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was not filed. No medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and another dealer Mercedes-Benz of Bedford (18122 Rockside Rd, Bedford, OH 44146) were made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer but was unable to speak to a representative. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V076000 (Exterior Lightning). The failure mileage was 85,000.
THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11425551*DJR The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 350. The contact stated while at the stop light, the warning message "SRX Malfunction, Service Required" appeared and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact stated as she smelled a burning odor, she veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke coming out of the windows of the vehicle. The contact stated fire had started in the trunk of the vehicle and she was able to extinguish it with the assistance of the fire department. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V076000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard and seized. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal until the brake pedal raised off the floorboard. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the brake booster was not replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assisted in towing the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Rear coil springs rusted through and broke resulting in greatly diminished vehicle stability, especially in emergency maneuvers. Have had numerous repair facilities evaluate, including the dealer. All have refused to replace rear springs due to safety risk
LOSS OF ALL BRAKES DIAGNOSE CORRODED/RUSTED BRAKE PIPE AT CENTER LEFT OF VEHICLE
THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT ONCE PULLED OUT. OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL DAYS, THEY SLOWLY WORK THEIR WAY BACK UP. NO VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A SEATBELT FAIL; IT IS EVEN MORE RIDICULOUS THAT THIS PART FAILED IN A CAR THAT IS THIS EXPENSIVE OR THAT HAS HAD SUCH A LONG HISTORY OF SAFETY. IT ISN'T SAFE FOR ANYONE TO SIT IN THE BACK SEATS BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS ARE OUT-STRETCHED SO FAR THAT A PERSON WOULD BE THROWN FORWARD A WAYS BEFORE THE SEATBELTS STOPPED THEM. THAT IS DANGEROUS.
OUR VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE INTERSTATE WHEN WE STARTED TO SMELL AN ODD SMELL. WE PULLED INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHERE WE STARTED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL DRIVEWAY, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED 911 AND HOTEL STAFF TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT IT CONTINUED TO GROW. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 128 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class are air bags (42 reports), seat belts (17 reports), electrical system (11 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.