YearToAvoid

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 19 brake complaints for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 17% of its 110 total complaints for the year. Two related recalls (24V298000 and 22V315000) cover brake booster corrosion, and median mileage at failure was 100,000. Two crashes and two injuries were reported.

Brakes complaints
19
17% of 110
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
100,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal going soft or unresponsive at low speeds, in some cases leading to a crash into a stationary object.
  • The ABS system reportedly activates on its own and brings the vehicle to an abrupt stop while driving up to 40 mph, even after ABS sensors were replaced.
  • Several owners describe corroded brake boosters, tied to the recall for moisture accumulation in the brake booster rubber sleeve.
  • Multiple complaints describe long waits for recall repair parts, with dealers advising owners not to drive the vehicle in the meantime.
  • One owner reported rear brake lines failing after recall work had been completed, requiring the vehicle to be towed.
  • One owner reported brake failure occurring again after the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle.

When 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 30, 2016, latest Jul 22, 2026.

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2016Aug 2019Jun 2022Oct 2022Aug 2023Sep 2024Sep 2025Apr 2026
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2016 to Jul 2026; peak May 2022 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350

  1. NHTSA 24V298000Apr 26, 2024Brakes15,604 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

    Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

  2. NHTSA 22V315000May 9, 2022Brakes350,294 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

    Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Brakes complaints by ML350 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20106 (6%)
  2. 201119 (17%)
  3. 20124 (6%)
  4. 20136 (11%)
  5. 20142 (3%)
  6. 20156 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?
NHTSA lists 19 brake complaints for the 2011 ML350, which is 17% of the 110 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
Yes. NHTSA lists two related brake recalls, campaign 24V298000 and campaign 22V315000, both tied to moisture and corrosion in the brake booster, and both marked do-not-drive until repaired.
At what mileage do 2011 ML350 brake problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for brake complaints on this year is 100,000 miles.
Did the 2011 ML350 brake issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 2 injuries linked to brake complaints for the 2011 ML350, with no fires reported.
How does the 2011 ML350's brake complaint rate compare to other years?
The 2011 model year has the highest share of brake complaints among the years listed, at 17%, compared to 6% for 2010 and 2012, 11% for 2013, 3% for 2014, and 12% for 2015.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.