2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class over 12 years — 7 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 ML-Class years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
Photo by Retired electrician, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

66

Per year

7

Recalls

0

Years on the road

12

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (16 of 66), then Powertrain (8) and Service brakes (7). Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 5 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2014

The 2014 ML-Class has 74 complaints, 3 per year. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (66 total)

Engine
16
Powertrain
8
Service brakes
7
Steering
6
Diesel fuel system
5
Electrical system
5
Fuel and propulsion system
5
Fuel system, gasoline
5
Structure
5
Air bags
4
Suspension
4
Speed control
3
Visibility
3
Seat belts
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Lane departure
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Tires
1
Wheels
1
Show 14 more Show less
Crash-flagged

13

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

5

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

62015820166201752018620191202022021102022122023420242202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The failed/malfunctioning component appears to be the fuel pump controller / fuel pump control unit, and possibly the fuel pump system. The Mercedes-Benz dealer identified water/moisture-related damage and corrosion at…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-05-22
  • "In July 2025, the sunroof panel had lifes and was flapping at highway speeds. I immediately contacted a Mercedes-Benz dealer to report the hazard. I was told they were unaware of such an issue and that I would have to…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-02-20
  • "In mid-trip as we were going down the highway went to change lanes and the turn signals were no longer functioning. No errors, no alerts, no warnings they just stopped working. After pulling over and turning off the…"
    Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Lane departure · filed 2026-01-19
  • "Rear subframe rusted from the inside out causing structural failure. This matches the defect in Campaign #2023020002 for other Mercedes models.""
    Structure · filed 2026-01-17
  • "Cam Shaft replacement diagnosed after week and half visit to Mercedes Benz dealership for engine rattling at cold start up. We are left with a $10,000 repair after performing all scheduled maintenance at the Mercedes…"
    Engine · filed 2025-07-28

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV 4WD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV RWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

W166 generation, 2012–2015
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-40 or 5W-40 (MB-Approval oils; other viscosities by temperature) , 8.5 qt capacity
Tire size 255/50R19 or 265/45R20 (ML350 common packages; other wheels vary)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA complaints on 2012-2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166) vehicles most often name the engine, followed by fuel/propulsion and powertrain. Confirm open recalls by VIN using the specific ML trim string (for example ML350); some Mercedes campaigns are filed under trim-level model names rather than ML-Class.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class reliable?

Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class over 12 years — 7 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 ML-Class years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (16 of 66), then Powertrain (8) and Service brakes (7). Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 5 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2014 ML-Class has 74 complaints, 3 per year. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?

Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with NHTSA.

What engine oil does a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class use?

MB-Approval oils such as 0W-40 or 5W-40 are commonly listed for this W166 generation; capacity is about 8.5 qt with filter on typical gasoline fills.

What tire sizes does an ML350 commonly use?

Common OEM packages include 255/50R19 and 265/45R20; confirm the door placard for your wheel option.

What do NHTSA complaints most often name on 2012-2015 ML-Class vehicles?

NHTSA complaints on 2012-2015 ML-Class (W166) vehicles most often name the engine, followed by fuel/propulsion and powertrain; confirm open recalls by VIN.