2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class problems and recalls

Owners filed 20 complaints on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class in the last three full years, out of 66 on record. The most cited component is the Engine.

66
Complaints
0
Recalls
5
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
6
Injuries
81.3
Severity index

Severity index 81.3 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 81.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 35 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 73% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 22 complaints (33.3%)22 33%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 12 complaints (18.2%)12 18%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 12 complaints (18.2%)12 18%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 9 complaints (13.6%)9 14%SteeringSteering: 7 complaints (10.6%)7 11%Power TrainPower Train: 6 complaints (9.1%)6 9%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 5 complaints (7.6%)5 8%Fuel SystemFuel System: 5 complaints (7.6%)5 8%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE2233.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1218.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1218.2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING913.6%
STEERING710.6%
POWER TRAIN69.1%
LANE DEPARTURE57.6%
FUEL SYSTEM57.6%

Complaints filed per year

0492012: 42013: 82014: 32015: 42016: 42017: 42018: 42019: 62020: 12021: 32022: 32023: 92024: 92025: 22026: 2 (partial year)1213141516171819202122239242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20124
20138
20143
20154
20164
20174
20184
20196
20201
20213
20223
20239
20249
20252
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.9x those in 2020 to 2022 (20 against 7).

Other Mercedes-Benz ML-Class model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 4 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.