2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550, and owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Vacuum (service brakes) Do not drive
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be…
-
Vacuum (service brakes) Do not drive
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be…
18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 72,484 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 4 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Engine died and won't run. Known issue with MB balance shaft that they refuse to repair or help with the cost of a $8k job. Highly disappointed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 28, 2025 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 9, 2023 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Compare Mercedes-Benz ML550 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz ML550 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | 2 | 18 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | 3 | 4 |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | 3 | 4 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | 3 | 6 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | 3 | 3 |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML550 | 3 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550
How do I know if my 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 22V315000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.