2014 Ford Explorer vs 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2014 Ford Explorer | 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,672 | 67 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 130 | 113 |
| Investigations | 4 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 32 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–23 | 20 |
| Median reported mileage | 70,000 mi | 42,400 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Mercedes-Benz ML350 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 496 | 4 |
| Structure | 274 | 5 |
| Engine | 196 | 16 |
| Electrical System | 100 | 20 |
| Suspension | 102 | 0 |
| Power Train | 79 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 62 | 7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 67 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 107 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 59 | 0 |
| Stalling | 36 | 8 |
| Airbag warning light | 35 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 23 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 21 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 17 | 0 |
| Overheating | 15 | 0 |
2014 Ford Explorer
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Mercedes-Benz ML350 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.