1999 Mercedes Benz ML320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
118 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
71,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 72 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 118 complaints (11.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 34 | 28.8% |
| Braking behavior | 18 | 15.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 11.0% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 9.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.8% |
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:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 13 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 12 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 12 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 6 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 13; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 12; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 12; Steering: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 6; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 46 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 | 14 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 32 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 14; 2001: 6; 2002: 7; 2003: 32; 2004: 18; 2005: 8; 2006: 3; 2007: 9; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 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 10000322 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
1999 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 SUV. ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE "HARMONIC BALANCER" FAILED (BECAME DETACHED), CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A DISABLED VEHICLE AND LEAVING MY WIFE AND FAMILY STRANDED. THE "HARMONIC BALANCER" IS THE MAIN PULLEY WHEEL WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS PULLEY WHEEL IN TURN DRIVES ALL OTHER BELT-DRIVEN ITEMS, SUCH AS POWER STEERING PUMP, AC, ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, ETC. FIRST, THIS ITEM SHOULD BE SO RESILIENT THAT FAILURE IS NE…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002400 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHEN MAKING A SLIGHT TURN OR JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT STEERING WHEEL STUCK UNEXPECTEDLY AND CONSUMER HAS HIT A WALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS.....*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004533 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER MERCEDES BENZ TRUCK, ONE BEING THAT THE TRUCK WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH CAUSES HER TIRES TO WEAR OUT FAST. SECOND ONE IS THAT THE DOOR LOCK REGULATOR DOES NOT WORK AND THE THIRD IS THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT FAILED AT 24,000 MILES CAUSING IT TO BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE TRUCK. SHE ALSO SAYS THAT THE TRUCK LEAKS POWER STEERING FLUID. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005086 · 2003-02-01 (February 1, 2003)
THIS IS THE THIRD ATTEMPT TO MOVE FORWARD THROUGH THE SITE. IF THE OTHER MESSAGES DO NOT COME THROUGH, PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007435 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)
THE FAILURE OF THE CENTER PULLEY RESULTED IN THE ENGINE BELT COMING LOOSE. IT RESULTED IN ALL POWER MECHANISMS (POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES FAILING). THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. THE BELT GOT RIPPED BY THE FAN WHILE IT WAS WORKING. THE FAN ALSO STOPPED WORKING AND ELEVATED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE. NO VISIBLE INDICATION OF THIS ON THE DASH PANEL. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, THE METAL PULLEY WAS SITTING LOOSE AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK. IF THE PULLEY HAD FALLEN DOWN OR HIT THE FUEL LINE, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MERCEDES DEALERSH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008197 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
STARTED TO DRIVE OUT OF PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF, LOST ALL FLUID AND POWER STEERING ASSIST. HAVE TO TOW TO DEALER. REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 54,677 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009743 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE POWER STEERING FAILED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. FUEL LEAKED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 64,225 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009827 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON BUT NO RECALLS YET. *NLM THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON BUT NO RECALLS YET. CAUSE: POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOLUTION: NEW HOSE CLAMP INSTALLED AND SYSTEM HAD TO BE BLED AND FLUSHED. *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 32,974 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009827 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.