1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other ML320 years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320. That ranks 3rd out of 13 ML320 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (31 complaints, 23%), typically at around 79,279 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 5 fires, 16 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 133owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 31 | 23% | 79,279 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 21 | 16% | 111,308 | — | — |
| Visibility | 17 | 13% | 97,615 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 15 | 11% | 46,316 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 | 10% | 59,120 | — | — |
| Structure | 12 | 9% | 127,308 | — | — |
| Power Train | 10 | 8% | 59,945 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 6% | 142,900 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 7 | 5% | 97,433 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 5% | 119,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 5% | 139,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 5 | 4% | 117,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 4% | 150,843 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 5 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% | 97,615 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 4% | 56,700 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 3% | 99,865 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2% | 97,615 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2% | 98,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% | 56,500 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 131,459 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 131,459 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine crankshaft pulley failure (PE03058) — opened Dec 17, 2003, closed Apr 22, 2004.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
1998 mercedes benz ml-320. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. *smd the consumer stated while making a turn and releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated and hit a concrete column. This damaged the main metal frame behind the front bumper. The airbags did not deploy…
Michelin lattitude tour 255/65r16 tires are prematurely coming apart. I have less than 15k miles on these tires and the tread is ripping away from the side walls. There is no recall from michelin for this size of tire and it has the same defect as the other sizes in the same make and model tire…
Went to start my car seat belt blew up ,smoke coming out now will not work will not retract .how can mercedes make such a dangerous product and not be be sued for such a crappy dangerous product.this not a isolated or freak occurance have read numerous similar on line.
My battery was low and unknown to me the ml320 for this year loses its transponder codes in the das security module when you try to start the vehicle with a low battery. This is evidentally the third key that has lost its programming on my vehicle due to low battery voltage. Cost so far is 499 for…
Suddenly i could not gain or get any more speed. I was just coasting along, i then arrived at my destination and got out and smelled burning smell from front wheels. I could not get out of the gear i was in. *js
Other Mercedes Benz ML320 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 ML320 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 ML320 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 ML320 | 28 | 3 |
| 2008 ML320 | 21 | 2 |
| 2007 ML320 | 16 | 2 |
| 2006 ML320 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 ML320 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 ML320 | 22 | 0 |
| 2002 ML320 | 88 | 1 |
| 2001 ML320 | 136 | 0 |
| 2000 ML320 | 166 | 0 |
| 1999 ML320 | 125 | 0 |
| 1998 | 133 | 0 |
See all Mercedes Benz ML320 problems by year, every Mercedes Benz model, or the Mercedes Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, visibility problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 31 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other ML320 model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.