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2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-298 the manufacturer reports only 3% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 3%Owner complaints60 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 26, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags20
Electrical system10
Exterior lighting10
Service brakes10
Steering10
Visibility10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

3%repaired · 2026 Q1

Power assist: vacuum

Do not drive

Recall 24V-298 · Apr 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehicles · 439 repaired

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

43%repaired · 2025 Q4

Power assist: vacuum

Do not drive

Recall 22V-315 · May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehicles · 149,456 repaired

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2026 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-081 · Feb 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles · 464,166 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2011 vs. every other ML550 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ML550 median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What ML550 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TAKATA RECALL...I HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR A VERY LONG TIME ON MY AIR BAGS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY MERCEDES AGAIN AFTER THE INITIAL RECALL. I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEVICE IN MY VEHICLE. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM DRIVING A MERCEDES WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO…
Complaint 11046395 · Nov 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF REQUESTING WHEN IT WOULD BE FIXED AND ARE TOLD IT IS STILL PENDING. I WOULD EXPECT FASTER SERVICE ON THIS POTENTIAL DANGER WITH THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG.
Complaint 10945302 · Jan 14, 2017

Own a 2011 ML550?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.