2000 Mercedes Benz 320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
92,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 17 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 29.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 23.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10067469 · 2004-04-15 (April 15, 2004)
VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL AND CONTROL ISSUES FROM THE OUTSET. *PH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217654 · 2008-02-11 (February 11, 2008)
MY 2000 MERCEDEZ ML 320 IGNITION IS STARTING BUT NOT FAIL TO START THE ENGINE. A COMPUTER TEST CONDUCTED SHOWS THAT THE ML320 COMPUTER IS DEFECTED. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM, THE SAME VEHICLE HAS A HOSE POWER STEERING WHICH I HAD REPAIRED NOT KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HOSE POWER STEERING. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANY RECALL EXIST FOR 2000 MERCEDEZ ML 320 REFERENCE TO THE COMPUTER. THANKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10217654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022740 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2000 MERCEDES BENZ...REAR GLASS EXPLODED AND CONCERNS ABOUT BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE BRAKES DIDN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND IT TOOK EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GLASS IMPLOLDED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE WINDOW REPAIR, IT IMPLODED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF PURCHASE OR A REPLACEMENT. *SCC. THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, HOWEVER DID NOT STATE IN DEFECTS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10179347 · 2007-01-22 (January 22, 2007)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CLK 320 MERCEDES BENZ. WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS A VACCUM LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10179347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10144946 · 2005-12-12 (December 12, 2005)
THIS CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RELATED DESIGN DEFECT. THE CAR JERKED TO A SUDDEN STOP AFTER WATER WAS SPILLED FROM THE CUP HOLDER ONTO THE SHIFT CONSOLE. I WAS LUCKILY DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED(LESS THAN 25 MPH). THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED. I PULLED OVER AND COULDN'T SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF GEAR. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN I COULD GET TO NEUTRAL (LUCKILY ON A FLAT STREET OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED AWAY FROM ME). AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF I GOT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALER, WHO TOLD ME…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537615 · 2013-08-28 (August 28, 2013)
WE BOUGHT OUR ML 320 NEW. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 13 YEARS. NO ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. A WEEK AGO I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT & SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WITHIN MINUTES MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE INTERIOR WAS IN FLAMES & THE HENDERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY CAR WAS BURNED & COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY ML & WAS GOING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER UNTIL MY CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES LAST WEEK. I AM NOW HEARING STORIES FROM OTHER ACQUAINTANCES THAT THEY TOO EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 167,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537615 at NHTSA ↗