YearToAvoid

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 24 engine complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 37% of the 65 total complaints filed for the year. Median mileage at failure is 31,850 miles. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
24
37% of 65
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
31,850 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls unexpectedly at stops or traffic lights, sometimes recurring multiple times over days or weeks.
  • Vehicle loses power while driving, in some cases with the throttle pedal sticking or failing to respond to braking.
  • Difficulty starting the engine, including one case where a dealer replaced pistons after repeated failed start attempts.
  • Vibration and grinding noise reported between 40 and 45 miles per hour during the first minutes of driving, which dealers could not resolve.
  • Fuel system failures including a high-pressure fuel pump replacement and a fuel line coming loose and leaking diesel fuel while driving.
  • Engine warning light tied to the diesel emission additive system reported by an owner around 42,500 miles.

When 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 2, 2012, latest Jan 23, 2025.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2012Nov 2012Jul 2013Jun 2016Apr 2018Aug 2021Feb 2023Dec 2024
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2012 to Jan 2025; peak Mar 2013 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by ML350 model year

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

  1. 20105 (5%)
  2. 201110 (9%)
  3. 201224 (37%)
  4. 201317 (30%)
  5. 201420 (29%)
  6. 201513 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?
NHTSA lists 24 engine complaints for the 2012 ML350, which is 37% of all 65 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 ML350 engine problems?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area.
At what mileage do 2012 ML350 engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 31,850 miles.
What kind of engine problems do owners report on the 2012 ML350?
Owners report stalling at stops, sudden power loss, hard starting, fuel pump and fuel line failures, and vibration or grinding noise at certain speeds.
Did the 2012 ML350 engine issue cause any crashes?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 fires linked to engine complaints for the 2012 ML350, with no reported injuries.

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.