Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was in drive mode and was looking to park the car on the open spot on the street. Had engaged the reverse gear and was attempting to get in the parallel parking spot. While i was doing that, suddenly the wheel locked up and car stopped with a jerk/jolt. Then came warning that the parking brake was not working (Remember I had not engaged the parking brake as I was in drive mode). The locked up wheel would not move and I had great difficulty in making the car safe in the cross traffic. The issue here is parking brake cannot engage by itself. That has nothing to do with the age of the car, it is like the wheel cannot come off just because the car is old. This could have easily happened while the car was in motion at a higher speed, in that case with 1 wheel locked, a car would spin out of control in a moving traffic causing major damage to other vehicles and myself. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle crashed into a wall and the rear window broke. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated up to 19 MPH in reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle then switched gears into drive independently, lunged forward, and crashed into the garage. The contact stated that there was extensive damage to the front and rear of the vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact was not offered an explanation for the independent acceleration. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,300. Updated 01/31/17 the consumer stated there was damaged to the right side of the vehicle as well. Updated 03/06/17.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH as the contact depressed the brake pedal, he felt that the brake pedal was soft and he had to depress the pedal with more force to stop. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
Brake Booster failure, this vehicle is exhibiting the EXACT same symptoms as described in Recall Campaign: Campaign No. 2024050001, May 2024 TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS SUBJECT: Model GL-Class, ML-Class, and R-Class (X164, W164 and 251 platform) Model Year 2006 - 2012 Inspect Brake Booster - without Pedal Rework Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class (164 and 251 platform) vehicles, the function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing. After extended time in the field and in conjunction with prolonged water exposure, this corrosion might lead to a vacuum leak at the brake booster. Loss of braking power puts me and everyone I am near while operating this vehicle in eminent danger!! …
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 30 - 35 MPH, the message "Do Not Drive Vehicle" was suddenly displayed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, and the brake fluid reservoir was topped off. The mechanic was unable to find any leaks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The message turned off and was displayed again 4 hours later. The contact was called by his wife, and the vehicle was driven to the residence after the brake fluid reservoir was refilled. The contact stated that a half mile later, the message was displayed again. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
When reversing the vehicle the brake pedal jumps with your feet on the brake pedal and a nose rattles,when driving and you have a sudden stop motion the vehicle brakes pedal with your feet on it it's very hard to push the brake Pedal . Reversing the vehicle very strong nose and the vehicle doesn't stop right away
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While the daughter was driving at an unknown speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The driver heard an abnormal hissing or squeaking sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The contact's son then drove the vehicle to a shopping center, and when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake warning light illuminated, and the vehicle unexpectedly entered SAFE Mode. The contact was unable to shift to drive(D). The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the dealer had inspected the brake booster, but no parts were replaced. …
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle also stalled while driving in traffic. There were no warning lights illuminated. The message to remove-the-key was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer notified the contact of a diagnostic test and the cost for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz ML350 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (21), 2011 (19), 2008 (8), 2009 (6) and 2010 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz ML350 brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-298 (vacuum, Apr 26, 2024); 22V-315 (vacuum, May 9, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz ML350 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions), followed by the power assist (1).
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.