Mercedes-Benz ML500 Problems by Year
Mercedes-Benz ML500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical ML500 year: 2002, 2006. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2006 ML500: 37 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2002 ML500: 27 complaints, 1 recall
- 2004 ML500: 18 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2011 ML500: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2005 ML500: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2007 ML500: 9 complaints, 2 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 ML500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 21 | 5 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 20 | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 | 5 | 2 |
| Power Train | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes-Benz ML500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 ML500 | 1 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2008 ML500 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2007 ML500 | 9 | 2 | — | Seats | |
| 2006 ML500 | 37 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2005 ML500 | 3 | 0 | — | Engine | |
| 2004 ML500 | 18 | 0 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2003 ML500 | 13 | 0 | — | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2002 ML500 | 27 | 1 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz ML500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2002 (27), 2006 (37) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical ML500 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 ML500?
Steering, with 21 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz ML500 have?
3 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.