2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
166 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 107 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 166 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 45 | 27.1% |
| Braking behavior | 42 | 25.3% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 10.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 6.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 19 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 18 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 10 |
Steering: 19; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 18; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 15; Service Brakes: 15; Air Bags: 11; Electrical System: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 19
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 59 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 33 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2000: 11; 2001: 5; 2002: 13; 2003: 33; 2004: 10; 2005: 11; 2006: 13; 2007: 2; 2008: 9; 2009: 5; 2010: 12; 2011: 8; 2012: 5; 2013: 8; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 4; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 45 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 18 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 10000458 · 2003-01-01 (January 1, 2003)
CAR WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. BROUGHT TO DEALER THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, AND CLEANED FUEL INJECTORS. PICKED UP CAR, WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN SAME PROBLEM HAPPEND AGAIN. CALLED DEALER FOR A TOW. BECAUSE AT THE TIME I WAS TO DRIVE TO DEALER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING CAR INOPERABLE. DEALER SAID THE CLAMP THAT CONNECTS TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THAT PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FIXED. MY DEALER ADDRESSED MY ORIGINAL PROBLEM BY THINKING THAT MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,552 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002339 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005271 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
I OWN A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 1, 2003, THE ENGINE QUIT TWICE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL. THE FIRST FAILURE HAPPENED AS SHE ACCELERATED FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET. SHE HAD TO RUN INTO THE CURB TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TALKED TO ANOTHER OWNER OF A ML 320 THAT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I HAVE …
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022897 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER HAS INSPECTED, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *TS. THE SUN ROOF BLEW OFF THE VEHICLE, THE ABS FAILED, THE DOOR LOCKS, HANDLES AND SIDE MIRRORS WERE ALSO INOPERATIVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007971 · 2003-02-22 (February 22, 2003)
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER AT SLOWER SPEEDS. CAUSE: HOSE CAME OFF POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND FLUID WAS LOST.
Owner-reported narrative. 27,175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056095 · 2004-01-29 (January 29, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES WHEN THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM IS ENGAGED IT WILL DISENGAGE FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN COME BACK ON. THIS REDUCES THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEFROSTER SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY DOES THIS UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THIS OCCURRED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE AND REPLACED PARTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. *AK IN ADDITION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED FUEL TANK GAUGE SHOWS ONLY 3/4 FULL. DEALER STATED THAT INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAULT IN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. FUEL SENDING UN…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026132 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
TRANSMISSION KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. WHEN I TAKE IT TO BE SERVICED, THEY WOULD INITIALLY TELL ME NO COMPUTER ERRORS WERE SHOWING. A COUPLE TIMES LATER I DROVE TO THE DEALER WITH IT STUCK IN THIRD, ALLOWING THEM TO DRIVE IT THAT WAY. WHEN THIS OCCURRED I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME TO NEARLY REAR END US. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN BUT VERY SPORADICALLY AND THE DEALER HAS UNSUCCESSFULLY BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR. THEIR RESPONSE NOW IS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112808 · 2005-03-09 (March 9, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, IN THE LEFT LANE OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, A SLOWER MOVING SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK CHANGED INTO MY LANE SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS MUCH MORE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE REQUIRED THAN NORMAL TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TOWARD THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON, INDICATING A FAILURE ON THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT WAS A …
Owner-reported narrative. 56,492 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112808 at NHTSA ↗