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Mercedes-Benz

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 has 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is lighting problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: yesterday, i was driving our 2011 mercedes ml550 on a california highway, and suddenly lost my brake lights, turn signal lights and reverse lights, due to a rodent eating the wiring of the car. this is the second time this year a rodent has eaten the wiring of this car. 4 months ago a rodent ate the.

11

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

LIGHTING

3 complaints
27%
  • • YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE
  • • YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE
  • • YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints
18%
  • • YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE
  • • YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

2 complaints
18%
  • • TAKATA RECALL. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF REQUESTING WHEN IT WOULD BE FIXED AND ARE TOLD IT IS STILL PENDING. I WOULD EXPECT FASTER SERVICE ON THIS POTENTIAL DANGER WITH THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG.
  • • TAKATA RECALL...I HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR A VERY LONG TIME ON MY AIR BAGS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY MERCEDES AGAIN AFTER THE INITIAL RECALL. I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEVICE IN MY VEHICLE. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM DRIVING A MERCEDES WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TAKATA RECALL. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF REQUESTING WHEN IT WOULD BE FIXED AND ARE TOLD IT IS STILL PENDING. I WOULD EXPECT FASTER SERVICE ON THIS POTENTIAL DANGER WITH THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

1 complaints
9%
  • • THE CAR WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES EVEN AT A SMALL SPEED, SERVICE MGR AT SMYTHE TOLD ME THAT MB HAD THIS DEFECT AND HE STATED HE PUT LOCTITE 648 PER MY NOTES O 8/24./2012 AT 9N WHEEL BEARING(S)! MB SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. MY PREVIOUS ML 500 ALSO HAD A STEERING PROBLEM AND MB NEVER NOTIFIED US BU
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE CAR WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES EVEN AT A SMALL SPEED, SERVICE MGR AT SMYTHE TOLD ME THAT MB HAD THIS DEFECT AND HE STATED HE PUT LOCTITE 648 PER MY NOTES O 8/24./2012 AT 9N WHEEL BEARING(S)! MB SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. MY PREVIOUS ML 500 ALSO HAD A STEERING PROBLEM AND MB NEVER NOTIFIED US BU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

1 complaints
9%
  • • THE CAR WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES EVEN AT A SMALL SPEED, SERVICE MGR AT SMYTHE TOLD ME THAT MB HAD THIS DEFECT AND HE STATED HE PUT LOCTITE 648 PER MY NOTES O 8/24./2012 AT 9N WHEEL BEARING(S)! MB SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. MY PREVIOUS ML 500 ALSO HAD A STEERING PROBLEM AND MB NEVER NOTIFIED US BU
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE CAR WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES EVEN AT A SMALL SPEED, SERVICE MGR AT SMYTHE TOLD ME THAT MB HAD THIS DEFECT AND HE STATED HE PUT LOCTITE 648 PER MY NOTES O 8/24./2012 AT 9N WHEEL BEARING(S)! MB SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. MY PREVIOUS ML 500 ALSO HAD A STEERING PROBLEM AND MB NEVER NOTIFIED US BU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 11 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    LIGHTING: YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 MERCEDES ML550 ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY, AND SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS, DUE TO A RODENT EATING THE WIRING OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A RODENT HAS EATEN THE WIRING OF THIS CAR. 4 MONTHS AGO A RODENT ATE THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF REQUESTING WHEN IT WOULD BE FIXED AND ARE TOLD IT IS STILL PENDING. I WOULD EXPECT FASTER SERVICE ON THIS POTENTIAL DANGER WITH THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    STEERING: THE CAR WOULD MAKE LOUD NOISES EVEN AT A SMALL SPEED, SERVICE MGR AT SMYTHE TOLD ME THAT MB HAD THIS DEFECT AND HE STATED HE PUT LOCTITE 648 PER MY NOTES O 8/24./2012 AT 9N WHEEL BEARING(S)! MB SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. MY PREVIOUS ML 500 ALSO HAD A STEERING PROBLEM AND MB NEVER NOTIFIED US BU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz ML550 — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2011
11Excellent Reliability
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550

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