2004 Mercedes Benz ML500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 18 complaints (27.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 27.8% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Steering: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10066383 · 2004-04-17 (April 17, 2004)
I WANT TO PROTEST IN THE LOUDEST VOICE THAT I HAVE AS A AUTOMOBILE DRIVER THE USE BY SOME RECENT MODEL CARS OF HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS. I AM NOT REFERRING TO HIGH BEAMS.......THESE LIGHTS ARE FAR WORSE THAN HIGH BEAMS. I AM BLINDED BY THESE LIGHTS AND FIND MY EYES TURNING TO THEM INVOLUNTARILY. I FEAR THAT THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY ACCIDENTS IF OTHER DRIVERS REACT AS I DO. I SEE ABSOLUTELY NO NEED FOR SUCH LIGHTS ON OUR HIGHWAYS. THIS IS THE FIRST COMPLIANT I HAVE EVER SUBMITTED IN 57 YEARS OF DRIVING! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073748 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
VEHICLE LOST POWER DUE TO THE ESM TRACKING SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109883 · 2005-02-05 (February 5, 2005)
I HAVE RETURNED MY SUV TO MERCEDES ABOUT 5 TIMES TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED BECAUSE THEY SQUEAL WHEN STOPPING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY MERCEDES THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE ALL DISC BRAKES SQUEAL. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE I HAVE HAD MANY CARS WITH DISC BRAKES OVER THE YEARS. I PICKED THE CAR UP ON 2/3/05 AND IT WAS SQUEALING AGAIN ON 2/4/05. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126282 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
DT:CONSUMER HAD TWO DUNLOP SP 5000 TIRES THAT WERE CUPPED. AS A RESULT OF THE CUPPING, THE CONSUMER PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES. CONSUMER HAD AN ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING DONE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED POORLY AT LOW SPEED, IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. AT 18 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE MADE HIM ILL TO DRIVE DUE TO THE VIBRATION. GOODYEAR GAVE CONSUMER MONEY BACK AND CONSUMER RETURNED THE TIRES TO GOODYEAR. CONSUMER WENT TO A MERCEDES DEALER AND THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT, B…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155406 · 2006-04-15 (April 15, 2006)
OVERLY EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD AND BRAKE ROTOR WEAR ASSOCIATED WITH 2004 MERCEDES ML500 SUV. REPLACEMENT/REPAIR COST NOT COVERED BY MERCEDES NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY AND REPAIR COSTS IN EXCESS OF $1300.00. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 18,284 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175521 · 2006-12-07 (December 7, 2006)
CAR GETS STUCK IN THE PARK GEAR AND HAS TO BE TOWED. DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT, A MECHANIC PUT A PEN INTO A SLOT IN THE GEAR BOX AND IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS A DEFECT THE MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT, OTHERWISE HOW DID THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210172 · 2007-11-28 (November 28, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WHILE THE WARMER FUNCTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE SEAT WAS RED AND SMOKING. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR 30 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND DROVE HOME. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BURNS ON HIS LEFT SIDE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,200. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB THE DEALER STATED DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217175 · 2008-01-31 (January 31, 2008)
2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT DUE TO THE SEAT CATCHING FIRE HE SUFFERED MILD BURNS ON THE LEFT HIP. *KB THE HEATING PAD IN THE DRIVERS SEAT SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED THE LEATHER AND SEAT CUSHION TO BURN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10217175 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.