While traveling at 55mph the steering suddenly felt very stiff and hard to move. Had to apply brakes when it seemed I couldn't negotiate a curve in the road. The steering returned to normal shortly after applying the brakes. The steering problem occurred again in a local shopping center parking lot at slow speed. Returned the car to the dealer service center. They performed a software update…
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class steering problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 ML-Class (this page) | 7 |
| 2013 ML-Class | 4 |
| 2014 ML-Class | 4 |
| 2015 ML-Class | 6 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 7 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Mercedes-Benz ML-Class we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 7.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 40,961 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mercedes-Benz/ML-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.