2002 Mercedes Benz ML320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
89,835 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 88 complaints (19.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 33 | 37.5% |
| Steering behavior | 23 | 26.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 10.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
Electrical System: 17; Service Brakes: 15; Steering: 15; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 9
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 22 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2003: 9; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 10; 2009: 10; 2010: 8; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 7; 2017: 4; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10007295 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SIDE MIRROR PROBLEMS.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007696 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 MERCEDES BENX ML320, MY WIFE EXPIERENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND WAS THROWN OFF THE ROAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012259 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016473 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AFTER MAKING A SLOW, 180 DEGREE TURN WHEN EXITING A CAR WASH--I WAS TURNING INTO THE STREET WHEN I NOTICED IT. I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PART. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (THAT I CAN REMEMBER) AND I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THIS WAS NOT POINTED OUT. THE SITUATION COULD HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THERE HAD BEEN TRAFFIC COMING IN EITHER LANE. I HAD THREE KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 19,475 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022492 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO VEER OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033499 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE UNLESS STEPPED ON GAS TO FORWARD OR REVERSE. A DAY LATER AFTER WHEELS WERE WASHED AND DRIED UP, EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE TOTALLY UNTIL STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. YOU CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE(FEEL LIKE HITTING YOUR BUMPER TO SOMETHING) WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL DURING THE RELEASE OF THE BRAKES. LOCAL DEALER SAID THEIR REGIONAL TECHNICIAN TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. IT'S MY REPSONSIBILITY TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE BRAKE PADS ARE DRIED UP, THEN PARK THE CAR. I TOLD THEM IT IS DANGEROUS FOR SOMEON…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039020 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)
THIS VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS DEFECTS, AND HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF TIMES. MB PROMISED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE IF THEIR FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE COULD VERIFY MY COMPLAINTS. THEY ABSOLUTELY FOUND NUMEROUS, REDUNDANT DEFECTS AND NOW ONLY WANT TO FIX THE VEHICLE, RATHER THAT REPLACE THE VEHICLE. WHAT A BUNCH OF LIARS. THE VEHICLE HAS ISSUES WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM, THE WHEEL RUBS AND THE POWER STEERING FADES OUT, THE RADIO AND CD CHANGER MALFUNCTION CONSTANTLY, FUMES FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM, AND WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, THE CAR ALMOS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047273 · 2003-11-20 (November 20, 2003)
DASH BOARD BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE BRAKES FAILED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047273 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V290000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm
Reported: 2001-09-10 (September 10, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFIED STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence: THE CONTROL ARM COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗