2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 24 of 66 complaints (36%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Visibility & Lighting include more crash reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 118 in 2011 to 66 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,500–6,450 | 3,500–6,450 | 3,900–5,150 | 3,900–5,150 | 3,900–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 12–22 | 12–22 | 15–20 | 15–20 | 15–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–21 / 15–24 | 11–20 / 15–24 | 14–18 / 18–23 | 13–18 / 17–23 | 13–18 / 17–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–741 | 404–741 | 444–592 | 444–611 | 440–611 | |
| Complaints filed | 106 | 118 | 66 | 62 | 74 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
Engine: 24 of 66 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class get?
EPA rates it 15–20 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
EPA estimates $3,900–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 18 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE · Campaign 22V955000 · Dec 27, 2022
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
Consequence: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.
SUSPENSION:FRONT · Campaign 18V272000 · May 2, 2018
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.
Consequence: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 17V177000 · Mar 17, 2017
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 12E028000 · Aug 9, 2012
Defect: Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain accessory all-season floor mats sold for use in model year 2012 and 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class vehicles. This all-season floor mat may not fully conform to the contour of the vehicle's floor plan as intended. Clearance between the mat and the gas pedal may be reduced, possibly allowing the pedal to become trapped.
Consequence: This interference could prevent the gas pedal from retracting and the vehicle may not decelerate as expected when the driver lifts their foot from the gas pedal, which could increase the risk of a crash. Should the pedal become trapped, steady application of the brakes will allow the vehicle to be brought to a stop.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the floor mats free of charge. Until replacement mats become available, consumers are advised to remove their floor mats from the vehicle. The safety recall began on December 21, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the accessory floor mats are affected. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz for more information at 1-800-367-6372.