2009 Mercedes Benz ML320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 28 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 10.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Engine: 6; Fuel System, Diesel: 5; Power Train: 4; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2014: 4; 2015: 5; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2020: 2; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10359031 · 2010-10-04 (October 4, 2010)
THE SUV SLOWS AND/OR STALLS SUDDENLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. STARTED AROUND 8,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON ODOMETER. IT IS A 2009 ML 320 BLUETEC. OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY FOR FEW SECONDS RANDOMLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481822 · 2012-10-18 (October 18, 2012)
LETTER FROM REGARDING NUMEROUS ISSUES AND TROUBLES HE HAS FACED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF HIS MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLE, A 2009 ML320 BLUE TEC DIESEL ENGINE SUV; SEEKING ASSISTANCE-HE WOULD LIKE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST PROBLEM HE ENCOUNTERED WITH THE VEHICLE WAS IN MAY OF 2010, WITHIN LESS THAN A YEAR OF PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING, THE GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT FROM A HALF TANK OF FUEL, TO READING EMPTY, WHERE AT THAT POINT THE FUEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW THE TANK WAS NOT EMPTY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10481822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10733262 · 2015-07-10 (July 10, 2015)
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR (L/F) FAILED ON HIGHWAY AT 50MPH. ALL BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAR SKIDDED TO A HALT! LUCKILY NO TRAFFIC OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MB DEALER. MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ... THEY HAVE UPDATED THESE SENSORS BUT ARE NOT REPLACING THEM UNDER WARRANTY (AND OF COURSE THEY ARE GETTING ABOUT $450 PER SENSOR)! MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THESE SENSORS!
Owner-reported narrative. 45,520 miles reported. Look up ODI 10733262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477647 · 2022-08-04 (August 4, 2022)
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10417319 · 2011-07-30 (July 30, 2011)
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS IS THE SECOND FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN THE LESS THAN ONE YEAR. DURING THE 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE STARTING, REQUIRING MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. ON MANY OCCASIONS THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED WITH THE PROBLEM UNRESOLVED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND SERVICED BY THE DEALER,
Owner-reported narrative. 15,818 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10667306 · 2014-12-19 (December 19, 2014)
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. TOWED TO LOCAL MB DEALER, DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED FUEL PUMP FAILURE. FUEL PUMP REPLACED. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 64000. VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON 4 OTHER OCCASIONS OVER COURSE OF NEXT 8 MONTHS. TWICE THE VEHICLE STARTED THE NEXT DAY. ONCE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE FAILED TO START AGAIN 10/10/14 AND WAS TOWED TO AREA MB DEALER. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED FUEL PUMP FAILURE AGAIN. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AGAIN! APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 145000. WAITING FOR IT TO LEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461896 · 2012-06-15 (June 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES LATER AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461896 at NHTSA ↗