YearToAvoid

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 3rd-worst out of 6 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 31,850 miles, plus three recall campaigns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#3 of 6 ML350 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
65
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
17.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine24 (37%)
  2. Electrical System17 (26%)
  3. Fuel System16 (25%)
  4. Steering7 (11%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain6 (9%)
  6. Brakes4 (6%)
  7. Lane Departure4 (6%)
  8. Seat Belts3 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (5%)
  10. Airbags2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine loses power unexpectedly while driving or at a stop, sometimes requiring several restart attempts.
  • Vehicle shakes on the highway and the engine stops after braking, with the engine light on and dash showing inoperable.
  • Throttle sticks or floors itself unexpectedly, making the vehicle accelerate uncontrollably even when the brake is applied.
  • Turn signals stop working intermittently, with no dash indicator light or sound, sometimes leading to a collision.
  • Power steering fails suddenly at speed, showing a malfunction message and making the wheel extremely hard to turn.
  • Vehicle stalls without warning, with dealers pointing to software updates and worn front rotors and brakes.
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 complaints: complaints filed per quarter32012 Q22013 Q42015 Q42018 Q12020 Q42023 Q12024 Q3
65 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2013 Q1 (3).

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V955000Dec 23, 2022Fuel System348,183 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module

    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.

    Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 18V272000Apr 27, 2018Suspension, Wheels & Tires9,725 vehicles

    Suspension:front

    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.

    Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V177000Mar 14, 2017Electrical System51 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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.

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
22.5 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other ML350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid801013 !17.5
2011Avoid1001103 !17
2012Caution6065319.5
2013Best056420
2014Good4068419

All Mercedes-Benz ML350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 ML350 carries a complaint index of 60 and ranks 3rd-worst of 6 model years, resulting in a Caution verdict. Engine and electrical system complaints make up most of the reported issues.
What is the biggest problem with the 2012 ML350?
Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 37% of complaints (24 of 65), with a median failure mileage of 31,850 miles.
Does the 2012 ML350 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2012 ML350, covering the fuel system (water intrusion affecting the fuel pump control unit), the suspension oil reservoir sealing cap, and an electrical system software update.
How does the 2012 ML350 compare to other years?
The 2012 ML350 has a complaint index of 60, better than 2010 (80) and 2011 (100), both rated Avoid, but worse than 2013 (0, Best), 2014 (40, Good), and 2015 (20, Best).

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.