Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle lost motive and electric power and stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to remain running. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that water had intruded into the rear of the vehicle causing electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired because the Insurance Company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000. The contact stated that the interior of the vehicle has to be dried out first in order to assess the damage to the electrical system. The contact noted the failure mileage was 60379.
Instrument Cluster malfunction. Battery drained and replaced. 2.5 weeks later, the new battery drained. After the vehicle was jumpstarted, the instrument cluster remained on with SOS inoperable showing on the panel. The instrument cluster will not turn off, even after the vehicle has been turned off. So it continues to drain the battery. Mercedes has diagnosed the vehicle with a bad instrument cluster and says that it needs to be replaced. There were no warning signs before the malfunction. I drove it and parked it. Then two days later the battery was dead. 10.19.21 - took vehicle to Mercedes for a regular schedule B service 10.21.21 - vehicle battery was dead after trying to crank it. 10.22.21 - Mercedes sent tow truck to bring it back to them. The battery was replaced on 10.25.21 and I picked up the vehicle. 11.10.21 - Vehicle NEW battery was dead again. Mercedes sent tow truck. …
I purchased my car used at the Mercedes dealership in Tyler Texas June 2023. I took all my savings and paid cash and was told that the car was impeccable shape and there were no current issues and all the service records were up to date. November 2023 is when everything started happening and my engine light came on. It was revealed to me by a service tech that I was sold the vehicle with an existing major oil leak /seals broke. Etc. SEE Attached invoices. I have endured driving down the road and my car just giving out and losing power steering. The car has been sputtering and there have been misfires, fauled fuel injectors, coils, s and spark plugs, oil leaks, fuel pump leaking gasoline in the engine and smoke coming from the hood. I thought my car was going to start on fire it smelled like a hot electrical wires and gasoline. …
Vehicle: 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 VIN: [redacted] I have experienced repeated failures of the Blind Spot Assist / driver-assist system since purchasing this vehicle. When I first purchased the ML350 in Texas, the vehicle already showed warning messages ("Blind Spot Assist Inoperative / Pre-Safe Function Limited"). The dealer attempted repairs before delivery, but the defect persisted. After moving to New York, the problem continued. On June 26, 2023, I took the vehicle to The Automaster Mercedes-Benz in Shelburne, VT. Their diagnosis confirmed water intrusion into the blind spot radar sensors, consistent with Mercedes-Benz TSB LI54.71-P-056477. Both left and right sensors and wiring require replacement. This is a safety defect because Blind Spot Assist and Pre-Safe features are disabled without warning, increasing risk of collision when changing lanes. …
ML350 engine stalled while driving on an expressway and would not turn back on. ML350 needed to be towed where it was determined that water accumulated in the spare tire wheel well, leading to the fuel pump short circuiting. This is directly related to NHTSA campaign 22V955000. That recall repair was completed prior to this incident. Per the technician, the recall repair installed a water drain plug to prevent the water accumulation. This repair effectively failed - the drain plugs malfunctioned and were not allowing water to drain. MBUSA deny's responsibility for the failing drain plug - stating that the trunk weatherstripping is the root cause, not the failing drain plug. This is an unacceptable response and worth of the recall being expanded. The fuel pump control unit can still short out if MBUSA's poor excuse of a recall fix fails as it did with mine.
55,000 Miles now Engine shuts off while driving and steering wheel locks engine light comes on, we have had this problem starting at about 30,000 miles. They first said it was sensors which we replaced several times thousands of dollars later still have problem. It is currently at dealer for a month now and they told us we need a whole engine harness replaced for $11,000 but can't be sure this is the problem. Has anyone else had these problems please contact me [redacted]. [redacted] IL
I purchased a used Mercedes-Benz from Freehold Mitsubishi in early 2024. Within hours, serious safety issues appeared, including a check engine light, cylinder misfire, EVAP leak, traction control failure, and blind spot assist malfunction. The vehicle's ECM and wiring harness were later found damaged due to oil leaks and electrical shorts. Despite multiple repair attempts, the vehicle was returned in worse condition and remains unsafe to drive. I am reporting these issues due to their potential risk to vehicle safety.
3 electrical related issues within a few months. 1. Blind spot and Lane Departure warning come on and off while driving. 2. Blind spot yellow light comes on the side mirrors while applying break 3. This week the turn signal periodically stop working and each time have to stop kill engine and start engine again to reset but reset only last for a while.
Known defect with timing issues that give code P0016. All cars should be part of this recall regardless of mileage on a known defect. This repair is extremely expensive and wouldn't be needed if built correctly.
After a weekend of incessant rain, while driving a short distance (10 minutes) , this low-mileage, well-maintained 8 year old SUV suddenly stalled, Engine appeared to have powered down and the yellow Engine light came up and pressing gas pedal didn't do anything. I was fortunately able to press the Power button once frantically and re-start it once more and pull over to the side but the car refused to power on thereafter. After investigations by the shops, it appears there was water leaking "through" the body of the vehicle and into the area below the interior of the car, short circuiting Fuel Driver and stalling the car (which they subsequently repaired after draining the water and replacing/re-programming the fuel pump driver) before handing it off for the leak identification work. …
Related recalls
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…
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 complaints in other ML350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 29% of the model year's 68 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-177 (software, Mar 14, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 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.