Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems by Year
Mercedes-Benz ML320 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical ML320 year: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 ML320: 166 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 ML320: 136 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 ML320: 133 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2006 ML320: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2011 ML320: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2005 ML320: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 140 | 9 | 9 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 112 | 8 | 3 |
| Electrical System | 90 | 9 | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 70 | 10 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 70 | 8 | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 63 | 5 | 2 |
| Power Train | 57 | 11 | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 56 | 7 | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 47 | 7 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 43 | 10 | 19 |
| Visibility | 40 | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 32 | 7 | 4 |
| Seats | 26 | 8 | 1 |
| Suspension | 26 | 8 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 23 | 5 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 18 | 5 | 4 |
| Fuel System, Other | 17 | 7 | 4 |
| Engine | 16 | 6 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 16 | 6 | 0 |
| Wheels | 13 | 4 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Equipment | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Tires | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes-Benz ML320 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 ML320 | 1 | 0 | — | Service Brakes | |
| 2010 ML320 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2009 ML320 | 28 | 3 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2008 ML320 | 21 | 2 | — | Exterior Lighting | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 ML320 | 16 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 ML320 | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2005 ML320 | 5 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2003 ML320 | 22 | 0 | — | Seats | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2002 ML320 | 88 | 1 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 ML320 | 136 | 0 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 ML320 | 166 | 0 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 ML320 | 125 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 ML320 | 133 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz ML320 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1998 (133), 1999 (125), 2000 (166), 2001 (136), 2002 (88) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical ML320 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz ML320?
Steering, with 140 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.