Mercedes Benz ML320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
691 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 462 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 69 of 691 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 192 | 27.8% |
| Steering behavior | 145 | 21.0% |
| Engine operation | 57 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 47 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 36 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 36 | 5.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 69 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 63 |
| Steering | 57 |
| Electrical System | 54 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 49 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 49 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 34 |
| Air Bags | 29 |
Service Brakes: 69; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 63; Steering: 57; Electrical System: 54; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 49; Vehicle Speed Control: 49; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 34; Air Bags: 29
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 56 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 58 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 104 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 83 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 95 |
| 150,000 and above | 66 |
Under 25,000: 56; 25,000 to 49,999: 58; 50,000 to 74,999: 104; 75,000 to 99,999: 83; 100,000 to 149,999: 95; 150,000 and above: 66
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (104). 229 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 | 38 |
| 2001 | 25 |
| 2002 | 31 |
| 2003 | 123 |
| 2004 | 53 |
| 2005 | 33 |
| 2006 | 33 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2008 | 35 |
| 2009 | 30 |
| 2010 | 36 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 28 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2000: 38; 2001: 25; 2002: 31; 2003: 123; 2004: 53; 2005: 33; 2006: 33; 2007: 24; 2008: 35; 2009: 30; 2010: 36; 2011: 30; 2012: 31; 2013: 26; 2014: 22; 2015: 24; 2016: 28; 2017: 12; 2018: 15; 2019: 8; 2020: 12; 2021: 4; 2022: 10; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 192 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 145 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 57 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 10117013 · 2005-03-29 (March 29, 2005)
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT 25 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ON THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CONTROLLED BY A STOP SIGN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 59,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10474364 · 2012-09-09 (September 9, 2012)
THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND WORKED AGAIN AFTER SOME PUMPING AND COASTING TO AVOID COLLISION. THE CAR THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,567 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026710 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE BOTH LIGHTS HAD COME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND HAD BECOME UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, BECAUSE THE BELT CAME OFF THE ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING, AND THE AC, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 79,279 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039719 · 2003-09-10 (September 10, 2003)
THE HARMONIC BALANCE THAT IS LOCATED IN THE CRANKSHAFT WENT OUT AND CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE DAMPER PULLEY HAD SEPARATED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032059 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH,RESULTING IN STALLING.VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN INDICATED FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032177 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE CAR WAS BAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203560 · 2007-09-20 (September 20, 2007)
I PUT MY SEAT BELT (S/B) ON AND STARTED THE IGNITION. A LOUD BANG, I WAS JERKED BACK INTO MY SEAT BY THE S/B AND WAS TRAPPED. WHITE SMOKE ESCAPED WHERE THE S/B COMES OUT OF THE FRAME. THE SRS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, UNBUCKLED THE S/B, WHICH DIDN'T RETRACT BACK INTO THE FEED, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO DISSIPATE. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, PUT MY S/B ON, WHICH WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT ADJUST. I CALLED MB DEALERSHIP TO REPORT INCID AND MAKE APT FOR CAR TO BE CHKD. 8-30-07 I BROUGHT CAR INTO MB OF RENO, NV…
Owner-reported narrative. 97,433 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039178 · 2003-09-19 (September 19, 2003)
THE VEHICLE COOLANT ENDED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION. PROBABLE PROBLEM WITH HOSES OR CONNECTION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014715 · 2003-03-28 (March 28, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATIC IN COLD WEATHER. *JB DURING THE FIRST 5-6 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR IN COLD WEATHER. ABLE TO SHIFT AFTER WARM START (ABOUT 5 MINUTES). *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039586 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
FUEL LINE COMING OUT OF GAS TANK CAME LOOSE AND SPRAYED RAW FUEL ALL OVER BACK OF CAR AND ONTO STREET. COULD HAVE IGNITED FROM ANY SPARK OR OPEN FLAME.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,316 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039586 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 1; 2003: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 0; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 3