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 has 268 complaints over 4 years (67/yr) and no recalls, while the Camry has 2,143 over 10 years (214/yr) and 31 recalls. ML owners report costly engine leaks; Camry owners report transmission and brake issues. 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, as represented by NHTSA data, shows a moderate complaint rate of about 67 per year over four years, with no recalls on record. Owners report issues that can be costly and disruptive, such as engine oil leaks and electrical gremlins. While not overwhelmingly frequent, the nature of the problems—like a $8,000 repair for an engine harness—suggests that maintenance and repair costs can be significant. The vehicle also has a small number of crash and injury reports, but these are not necessarily indicative of a safety defect.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much higher total number of complaints (2,143 over 10 years, averaging 214 per year) and 31 recalls, but this is partly due to its popularity and longer production run. Complaints span many areas, including transmission issues, brake problems, and engine concerns, with some reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure. While these are serious, the high volume also reflects the large number of Camrys on the road. The recalls address specific components like air bag sensors and seats, indicating Toyota's proactive approach to fixing known issues.
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 | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 67.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 163 |
| 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 oil leaks from the camshaft solenoid and engine harness, leading to expensive repairs (e.g., $8,000). Check engine lights may come on intermittently, and in some cases, the engine can stall, posing a safety risk.
Electrical issues manifest as random warning lights, including check engine and side mirror lights, and can be linked to engine problems. These can be frustrating and may require diagnostic work to pinpoint.
Water intrusion in the spare wheel well can damage the fuel module and pump, causing stalling while driving. This is a serious safety concern as it can lead to loss of power in traffic.
“In the last year, randomly, when starting the vehicle, the yellow check engine light comes on. Turn the vehicle off, it is gone. The side view mirrors have the yellow lights lit up on them when driving down any road, the red warning lights that tell you there…”
“HELLO, REF: ML350 CAMSHAFT SOLENOID LEAK! I AM SEEKING OUT FOR YOUR HELP WRT TO A SITUATION WITH 2012 ML350. ENCLOSED HEREWITH IS AN INSPECTION REPORT FROM A RECENT SERVICE VISIT REQUIRING CLOSE OF $8K IN REPAIRS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. ENGINE HARNESS (OIL LLED H…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are common, with reports of grinding noises and the need for complete transmission replacement. Some owners mention recalls for similar issues, but parts may be on backorder.
Engine issues include sudden acceleration incidents and coolant valve bypass problems that trigger maintenance lights. Some of these may be related to recalls, but not all VINs are covered.
Brake failure has been reported, with the pedal not responding when pressed, leading to dangerous situations. This is a critical safety concern that requires immediate attention.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ ML Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz ML Class has fewer complaints per year (67 vs. 214) and no recalls, suggesting a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the problems it does have can be very expensive to fix. The Toyota Camry has more complaints and recalls, but its issues are spread over a larger owner base and may be more typical of high-volume vehicles. In practice, the ML Class may offer a more exclusive ownership experience but with higher repair costs, while the Camry might have more frequent but potentially less costly issues.
Key differences
- The ML Class has no recalls, while the Camry has 31, indicating Toyota's more active recall process.
- ML Class complaints focus on engine and electrical issues, often leading to costly repairs, whereas Camry complaints span transmission, brakes, and engine, with some safety-critical failures.
- The ML Class has a lower complaint rate per year (67 vs. 214), but the Camry's higher rate is partly due to its larger sales volume.
- Both vehicles have reports of stalling and sudden acceleration, but the ML Class fuel system issue is linked to water intrusion, while Camry's engine issues include sudden acceleration.
- Inspect the engine for oil leaks around the camshaft solenoid and wiring harness, as these can be expensive to repair.
- Check the spare wheel well for signs of water intrusion, which can damage the fuel module and cause stalling.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting and listen for grinding noises, as transmission replacement is a common and costly repair.
- Have the brake system thoroughly inspected, especially if there are any reports of pedal feel issues, as brake failure has been reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic familiar with European or Japanese vehicles.
- Check for open recalls on the specific VIN using NHTSA's website.
- Review maintenance records for evidence of regular oil changes and transmission service.
- Test drive both vehicles, paying attention to warning lights, unusual noises, and brake response.
- Consider the cost of insurance and parts for each model.
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
- 2,143
- 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
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN