Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ ML Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ ML Class and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercedes BENZ ML Class vs Toyota Camry: The ML Class averaged 67 complaints per year over 4 years with 0 recalls, while the Camry averaged 206 complaints per year over 10 years with 31 recalls. The ML Class had 27 crash-related complaints and 18 injuries; the Camry had 171 crash-related and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ ML Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ ML Class
The Mercedes-Benz ML Class is a luxury SUV that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over four years, owners filed 268 complaints, averaging 67 per year, with no recalls on record. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and fuel/propulsion system, often involving stalling, water intrusion, and sudden power loss. These issues can leave you stranded and lead to expensive repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a generally strong reliability reputation, but it is not trouble-free. Over ten years, owners filed 2,056 complaints, averaging about 206 per year, and there are 31 recalls. The most frequent complaints involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with symptoms like hesitation, shuddering, and brake noise. While many issues are minor, some can affect drivability and safety.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ ML Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 268 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 67.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercedes BENZ ML Class
- 01ENGINE70
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM50
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER43
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM31
- 05POWER TRAIN26
Owners report sudden stalling and loss of power without warning, as well as water intrusion that damages electronic components. These failures can happen while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints describe water intrusion causing electrical damage, leading to the car dying or not starting. This can leave you stranded and require costly diagnostic and repair work.
Some owners experience stalling and power loss that may be linked to fuel delivery issues. This can occur at highway speeds, creating a dangerous situation.
Reports include sudden stalling, strange smells, and other unexplained failures. These vague but serious symptoms make it hard to predict problems before they happen.
“On December 6, 2025 I purchased a used 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG from Jaguar Land Rover Willow Grove (Piazza Auto Group) in Pennsylvania. The delivery documentation for the vehicle included a written service commitment stating: “Replace air compressor for s…”
“NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT SUPPORTING STATEMENT Vehicle: 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 I am submitting this complaint regarding a continuing safety concern involving water intrusion and electronic system damage in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. My vehicle was su…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove it. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, which can be unsettling and may indicate transmission issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, sometimes taking several seconds to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Some owners also hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which can be annoying and may signal ABS problems.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction at once. This can overwhelm the driver and reduce confidence in the vehicle's safety features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercedes BENZ ML Class
No recalls on record.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ ML Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz ML Class has far fewer complaints per year (67) than the Toyota Camry (206), but the ML Class has no recalls while the Camry has 31. In practice, the ML Class may have fewer reported issues overall, but the Camry's higher volume means more owners are speaking up, and its recalls show that some problems are serious enough to trigger official fixes.
Key differences
- The Mercedes-Benz ML Class has 268 complaints over 4 years (67/year) and 0 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (206/year) and 31 recalls.
- ML Class owners frequently report engine stalling and electrical failures from water intrusion, whereas Camry owners report power train hesitation, stuck ignition keys, and brake noise.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, compared to 27 crash-related and 18 injuries for the ML Class, though these numbers are not adjusted for the number of vehicles on the road.
- Both vehicles have 1 reported death, but the Camry's higher complaint volume suggests more owners are experiencing problems overall.
- Check for water leaks around the windshield, sunroof, and doors that could damage electronics, as owners report water intrusion causing stalling and electrical failure.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for engine stalling or power loss, and ask if the fuel pump or related components have been replaced.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it does not stick, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Camry.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the engine, electrical, and brake systems.
- For the ML Class, inspect for water damage under carpets and in the trunk, and check for signs of electrical corrosion.
- For the Camry, test all electronic features including the parking brake, stability control, and blind spot monitoring.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any recall work has been completed.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercedes BENZ ML Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class total complaints
- 268
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class avg complaints/year
- 67.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN