Most common 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems
Share of the 101 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz ML350 complaints by model year
Best ML350 years: 2003, 2005, 2004. Years to avoid: 2006, 2010, 2011. Compare all years →
2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 recalls (3)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic,…
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 owners say
Air bags all 67 →
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-Benz of sarasota (4754 clark road, sarasota, florida 34233, [phone]) was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. In addition, the dealer stated that the parts would become available in December of 2018. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact called Mercedes-Benz of long beach (2300 e spring st, signal hill, ca 90755; [phone]) and was informed that she would be contacted once the remedy was available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Seat belts
Passenger side rear seat belt retractor failed and seat belt is in fully extended position and won't retract, making it unusable for protection of a passenger in that seat. The vehicle has never been in an accident or suffered any impact, etc., and when a passenger had used the belt and went to take it off it wouldn't retract. There had been no prior indication of a problem. I am the original owner and my vehicle has only 24,280 miles on it and the seatbelt in question has only been used 10 or 15 times in the 8 year life of the vehicle as my wife and I are the only users, our children all grown and long gone. The Mercedes dealer we purchased the vehicle from says the retractor cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced at a cost in excess of $800. I can't afford that, so it won't be repaired.
Just bought this car from a family member who takes great care of their cars. The rear drivers side passenger seatbelt does not work. I gently pulled out and it doesn't retract no matter what I tried. Now I can't use with my 3 kids. These rear seat belts were only lightly used from previous owner as this was her commuter car .seems to me this has been a common complaint online yet no recall. Please investigate right away.
Electrical system
Vehicle will not crank/start intermittently key turns in the ignition but nothing happens. Front door on the right and left will not operate and have to push down locks in order for vehicle to lock and prevent vehicle/ property theft.
On August 1st 2017 bought brand new battery from Mercedes-Benz of easton. Installed in next couple of weeks without any issue. On sept 12th 2017 around 2.45 pm started the car(in the driveway) and went inside to get my mobile. When I came out to te car, saw big smoke inside and immediately switched off the engine. Saw flames coming underneath of passenger seat and immediately poured water. Later observed battery ignited the flames and even top of the battery started melting. Called mbusa and reported the incident, and was promised that a supervisor will call back. Waiting to hear back from mbusa. It was so scary, and I can't even imagine what if this happened on freeway.
2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 a good car?
Based on 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 ML350 rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the ML350 at the same age. It is one of the ML350 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
The air bags — 67 complaints, 66% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the seat belts (10) and electrical system (10).
How many recalls does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350, the most recent from April 26, 2024 (vacuum). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz ML350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 2005 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2010 and 2011. See the full Mercedes-Benz ML350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.