How many electrical complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?

NHTSA lists 17 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 ML350, which is 26% of the 65 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2012 ML350?

Yes. Recall campaign 17V177000, reported in 2017, covers software updates to electrical control units on ML350 4Matic vehicles among other Mercedes-Benz models.

What electrical issue do owners report most on the 2012 ML350?

The most common pattern is turn signals failing intermittently while driving, often paired with the blind spot assist system becoming inoperative, according to NHTSA complaints.

At what mileage do electrical problems typically appear on the 2012 ML350?

The median mileage at failure reported in NHTSA complaints for this electrical issue is 45,000 miles.

Did the electrical problems cause any crashes?

NHTSA complaint data for the 2012 ML350 electrical system shows 2 crashes and 2 injuries linked to reported failures, with no fires recorded.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 17 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 26% of all 65 complaints filed for the year, with 2 crashes and 2 injuries reported. A related software recall (17V177000) covers electrical control units on ML350 4Matic models.

Electrical System complaints: 17; 26% of 65
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 45,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Turn signals stop working intermittently while driving, often requiring the driver to shut off and restart the engine to restore them.
Turn signal failure frequently coincides with the blind spot assist system going inoperative at the same time, sometimes displaying a warning message.
Headlights reported as too dim to see the road or curbs at night, even after dealer inspection found no defect.
Oil from an engine harness leak reportedly contaminated the wiring harness and O2 sensors, causing electrical damage.
Steering column controls and turn signals reported to work at startup but become erratic after about fifteen minutes of driving.
Two owners reported crashes, including a sideswipe collision, that they linked to turn signals failing without warning.

When 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 24, 2014, latest Jan 23, 2025.

17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2014 to Jan 2025; peak Jul 2024 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350

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.

Electrical System complaints by ML350 model year

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

201015 (15%)
201118 (16%)
201217 (26%)
201312 (21%)
201422 (32%)
20154 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?: NHTSA lists 17 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 ML350, which is 26% of the 65 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2012 ML350?: Yes. Recall campaign 17V177000, reported in 2017, covers software updates to electrical control units on ML350 4Matic vehicles among other Mercedes-Benz models.
What electrical issue do owners report most on the 2012 ML350?: The most common pattern is turn signals failing intermittently while driving, often paired with the blind spot assist system becoming inoperative, according to NHTSA complaints.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically appear on the 2012 ML350?: The median mileage at failure reported in NHTSA complaints for this electrical issue is 45,000 miles.
Did the electrical problems cause any crashes?: NHTSA complaint data for the 2012 ML350 electrical system shows 2 crashes and 2 injuries linked to reported failures, with no fires recorded.