Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-benz ml350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle crashed into a wall and the rear window broke. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated up to 19 MPH in reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle then switched gears into drive independently,…
2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class powertrain problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 7 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 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 powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 7.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while reversing, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-benz ml350. While driving on a level road surface and making a turn, the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that the driveshaft failed. The mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 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 $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 40,388 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2015/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.