1998 Mercedes Benz ML320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
90 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
79,279 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 90 complaints (7.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 12 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 8.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 6.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.1% |
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 And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 7; Electrical System: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 47 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 | 13 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 13; 2001: 9; 2002: 10; 2003: 21; 2004: 10; 2005: 5; 2006: 4; 2007: 3; 2008: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004115 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
THE MBUSA GENERAL MANAGER IS WRITING TO INFORM CONSUMER'S OF THE USE OF CONVENTIONAL OIL WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE DAMAGE-MAY EXPERIENCE OIL SLUDGE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WILL COVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE UP TO 10 YRS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, LEASE, OR 150,000 MILE'S UNDER TERMS OF EXISTING WARRANTY/REIMBURSEMENT. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006347 · 2000-09-11 (September 11, 2000)
APPARENTLY, THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM ON THE 1998 ML320 FAILS QUITE OFTEN....EVEN ON TRUCKS WITH LOW MILEAGE. *AK *JB ***** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****731049.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006347 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 10026774 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
IGNITION LOCK FAILED, ENABLING KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION WHILE IN DRIVE GEAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028813 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
AFTER BUCKLING THE SEAT BELT, THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE EXPLODED. THE HARNESS YANJED ME BACK AGAINST THE SEAT BURNING MY SHOULDER AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CAR IS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ARE THERE ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028813 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 10033224 · 2003-08-21 (August 21, 2003)
SAME PROBLEM AS THE DRIVERS POSTED ON THIS FORUM IN THE PROVIDED LINKHTTP://FORUMS.MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=EE805591A42AA150D9DA7BBB66F73A95&THREADID=40287&HIGHLIGHT=HARMONIC. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 56,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033224 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.