Total Complaints
3 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 · model year
2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63
3 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009MERCEDES-BENZML63 carries 3 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 ML63 is engine with 1 filings, followed by power train (1) and service brakes (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2009 ML63. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
3
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20210303SERVICE BRAKES
LOSS OF ALL BRAKES DIAGNOSE CORRODED/RUSTED BRAKE PIPE AT CENTER LEFT OF VEHICLE
Mileage: 79,708
20190411CrashPOWER TRAIN
VEHICLE IN MOTION ON FREEWAY, LOST POWER AND SEVERAL CARS RAN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID MY VEHICLE AS IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SAT AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FASTER THEN 25 MILES AS IT WAS STUCK IN LIMP MODE (UNABLE TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR). A CODE DISPLAYED SHOWING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. AN INTERNET SEARCH FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE TCM ON MERCEDES ARE KNOWN TO ALL GO FAULTY AFTER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. MBENZ IS EXTORTING MONEY OUT OF PEOPLE FOR A PRODUCT THAT CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THEY QUOTE 6 HOURS TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THIS COMPONANT BUT THE ACTUAL TIME TO REMOVE AND REPLACE IS 1.5 HRS PLUS 1 HOUR FOR REPROGRAMMING THE TCM. THIS IS FRAUDULENT AND UNETHICAL AND THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE DEALT WITH ACCORDING TO THE FAIR TRADE LAWS THAT PROTECT CONSUMERS.
Mileage: 94,000
20150825ENGINE
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML63, AT APPROX 65 MPH, ON THE 101 LOOP IN SCOTTSDALE AZ, SHE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON HER. SHE LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TWO LANES TO HER RIGHT TO AN EXIT RAMP. THE CAR CAME TO REST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP W/ NO ENGINE POWER WHATSOEVER. MY WIFE WAS PETRIFIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED FIRST TO AAA AND THEN TO SCHUMACHER EUROPEAN, LTD (A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP) IN PHOENIX, AZ. ACCORDING TO SCHUMACHER EUROPEAN, LTD THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET DUE TO BROKEN HEAD BOLTS. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE WE RECEIVED FROM SCHUMACHER WAS BETWEEN $6,000 - $25,000 DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE TO THE ENGINE. MERCEDES-BENZ USA HAS HAD A KNOWN ISSUE W/ DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLTS. THEY ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS BACK IN 2011 ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. ALSO IN 2011 A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS BROUGHT AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ USA CLAIMING THEY WERE AWARE OF FA
Mileage: 67,941
Compare 2009MERCEDES-BENZML63 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 have?▼
The 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 has 3 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63?▼
The most-complained component for the 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 is ENGINE with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.