CarBrief

Owners filed 113 complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 ML-Class, and air bags are the biggest group[1][2]. The car also has recalls for the driver air bag and for brake booster corrosion, so it is worth checking that they were done[3][4][5].[3][4][5].

113owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
12–22MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 113 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Eight mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 8 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Air bags[2] 60 58,000
Brakes[8] 20 105,000
Electrical system[9] 16 56,956
Power train[10] 7 66,000
Engine[11] 7 88,000

Air bags. The 60 complaints include 3 crashes and 4 injuries[2]. In the sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 11 are about waiting for the recall repair[2]. Owners describe letters from the maker and then dealers saying parts were not available[2]. One describes repeated air bag warnings and replacements[2].

Brakes. There are 20 complaints, with 2 crashes and 2 injuries[8]. In the sample of 12 brake complaints we read, several mention the brake booster recall[8]. Owners describe waiting for parts, a failure after the repair, and a mechanic finding corrosion[8]. Some describe the pedal not responding or the brake warning light coming on[8].

Electrical system. There are 16 complaints, with 1 crash and 2 fires[9]. In the sample of 12 we read, 7 describe ignition switch trouble[9]. The car is slow to start, will not start, or needs the key turned several times[9]. One complaint in the sample describes a fire that started near the glove box area[9].

Engine and power train. Each group has 7 complaints[10][11]. In the 6 engine complaints we read, 4 describe stalling or losing acceleration while driving[11]. Seven complaints is a small number, so we do not call this a common problem.

Recalls

Three recalls are on file for this model year[6]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend a lot on the engine. All use premium fuel[12][13][14][7][15].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
ML350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Rear-Wheel Drive[12] 16 / 21 / 17 $4,850
ML350 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, listed as Rear-Wheel Drive[13] 15 / 20 / 17 $4,850
ML550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl, 4-Wheel Drive[14] 13 / 18 / 15 $5,500
ML450 Hybrid 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, 4-Wheel Drive[7] 20 / 24 / 22 $3,750
ML63 AMG, 6.3L 8-cyl, 4-Wheel Drive[15] 11 / 15 / 12 $6,850

The EPA annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine and size

EPA test listings give these horsepower ratings for the 2011 ML-Class:

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. The ML350 4WD is 188 in long, 75 in wide and 72 in tall, with a 115 in wheelbase and a curb weight of 4,729 lb[20]. The ML350 BlueTec 4WD has the same measurements and weighs 4,971 lb[21].

How 2011 compares with other years

1998: 133 complaints, 0 recalls19981999: 169 complaints, 0 recalls2000: 214 complaints, 0 recalls20002001: 190 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 117 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 61 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 53 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 31 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 210 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 108 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 88 complaints, 2 recalls20082009: 121 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 101 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 113 complaints, 3 recalls11320112012: 65 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 56 complaints, 4 recalls2014: 68 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 52 complaints, 5 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each ML-Class model year. The 2011 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981330
19991690
20002140
20011900
20021171
2003610
2004530
2005310
20062102
20071082
2008882
20091213
20101013
20111133
2012653
2013564
2014684
2015525

The 2011 model year has 113 complaints and 3 recalls[6]. Seven model years have more complaints: 1998 (133), 1999 (169), 2000 (214), 2001 (190), 2002 (117), 2006 (210) and 2009 (121)[6]. 2010 has fewer at 101, and 2012 to 2015 have 65, 56, 68 and 52[6]. Recall counts are 3 for 2009, 2010 and 2012, 4 for 2013 and 2014, and 5 for 2015[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2011 ML-Class?

The record is mixed. Seven model years have more complaints, but the two safety issues are serious[6][3][5]. Before buying, confirm with the VIN that the driver air bag and brake booster recalls were completed, since the air bag complaints we read describe long waits for parts[2]. Ask about ignition switch trouble, which appears in the electrical complaints we read[9]. Fuel costs vary from $3,750 to $6,850 a year depending on the engine, so pick the version with that in mind[7][15].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
Air bags lead NHTSA complaints with 60 of 113, followed by brakes with 20 and the electrical system with 16[1][2][8][9]. Recalls come up often in the air bag and brake complaints we read[2][8].
Does the 2011 ML-Class have recalls?
Yes, three: 16V081 for the driver air bag inflator, and 22V315 and 24V298 for brake booster corrosion[5][4][3].
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 ML350?
EPA rates the rear-wheel drive 3.5L ML350 at 16 city, 21 highway and 17 combined MPG[12].
Which 2011 ML-Class version uses the least fuel?
The ML450 Hybrid 4matic is rated 22 combined MPG, with an annual fuel cost of $3,750[7].
Is the 2011 ML-Class a year with more problems than others?
It has 113 complaints[1]. Seven of the 18 model years listed have more, and 2012 to 2015 have fewer[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (8 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 60 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 24V298, filed April 26, 2024: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 22V315, filed May 9, 2022: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 16V081, filed February 11, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz ML-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for ML450 Hybrid 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 20 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,956). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 7 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for ML350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for ML350 4matic, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for ML550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for ML63 AMG, 6.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $6,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 210 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 268 to 275 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with 5.5L 8-cylinder: rated 382 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with 6.3L 8-cylinder: rated 503 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, M CLASS ML350 5DR SUV 4WD: length 188 in, width 75 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,729 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, M CLASS ML350 BLUETEC 5DR SUV 4WD: length 188 in, width 75 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,971 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.