U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz ML500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

107 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

94,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 to 2008 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 83 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 107 complaints (16.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	29	27.1%
Steering behavior	24	22.4%
Transmission and shifting	14	13.1%
Electrical and battery issues	8	7.5%
Engine operation	3	2.8%

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.

Electrical System

Steering

Seats

Engine

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Vehicle Speed Control

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Service Brakes

Electrical System: 18; Steering: 18; Seats: 10; Engine: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Service Brakes: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 13

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 24 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.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 4; 2007: 7; 2008: 4; 2009: 10; 2010: 8; 2011: 8; 2012: 4; 2013: 7; 2014: 9; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 3; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 4; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 29 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 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.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10057273 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)

WARRANTY ISSUES AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. *PH AT THE FIRST 10,000 MILES, THE CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE TRAVEL WAS TOO LONG AND WAS ADVISED BY AN SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER AT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES, THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT ADEQUATE AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN BRAKING. THIS TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE GONE AND THE ROTORS WERE SCORED DUE TO TOO MUCH CITY DRIVING AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR WOULD NOT HONOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRAN…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057273 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10096242 · 2004-10-22 (October 22, 2004)

WARRANTY ISSUES AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. ON OCTOBER. 21, 2003 TOOK MY ML500 YEAR 2002 TO DEALER FOR SQUEALING AND SCRAPING BRAKES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THE SQUEALING AND SCRAPING AND TOLD ME THAT BRAKE DISC AND PADS LOOKS FINE. HOWEVER THEY ADVISED ME TO BUY NEWER VERSION OF BRAKE PADS, WHICH WOULD NOT SQUEAL. I REFUSED TO BUY BRAKE PADS, AS THEY SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS NOT SATISFIED, THEREFORE TOOK THE VEHICLE AGAIN NEXT DAY (OCTOBER 22,2003) AND TALKED TO T…

Owner-reported narrative. 22,014 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096242 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10024830 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)

THE GEARS JAMMED WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV TO ABOUT 2000 RPM'S OR MOR BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT THE VEHICLE WOULD EVENTUALLY MOVE. THE DOORS WERE DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ALOT OF FUEL. THE FUEL GAUGE DIDNT WORK PROPERLY. STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION AND EXCESSIVE REFLECTION FROM GLARE SHIELD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. *PH *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024830 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10249894 · 2008-11-26 (November 26, 2008)

THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SACRAMENTO CA IN AUG OF 06, AT THIS TIME WE ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED 2 YEAR WARRANTY WHICH WE UNDERSTOOD TO BE EXPIRING IN AUG OF 08. THE CAR WORKED FINE WITH NO ISSUES UNTIL SEPT OF 07. I STARTED THE CAR AT 4 AM TO HEAD TO WORK AND IT MAKE A REALLY LOUD NOISE, IT GOT WORSE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED THE MB DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT NOT WANTING TO DRIVE THE CAR MAKING THAT SOUND, HE ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS FINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10249894 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10150037 · 2006-02-11 (February 11, 2006)

I OWN A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. A WEEK AGO I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE. AS I WAS ACCELERATING THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR) AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR DESPITE FULLY DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL. THE CAR REACHED 80+ MPH AND I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE OFF OF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT (I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT TO ABOUT 50 MPH BY FULLY DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL). I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL (IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; WHEN I SHIFTED T…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150037 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10188707 · 2007-04-24 (April 24, 2007)

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HRS. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. IT STARTED THEN ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. UPON THE 4TH ATTEMPT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I LOOKED AT THE DASH LIGHTS THE COMPUTER WAS SHOWING ERROR START. I PROCEEDED TO JIGGLE THE KEY AND EVEN USED THE SECOND MASTER KEY. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I TALKED WITH MB ROADSIDE SERVICE THEY SUGGESTED CLEANING THE KEY, JIGGLING THE RING AROUND THE IGNITION KEY AREA. NOTHING WORKED. AFTER 2 HOURS OF ATTEMPTS, I HAD THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 51 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188707 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10376372 · 2011-01-12 (January 12, 2011)

DURING REGULAR VEHICLE USE THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOLDER HAD MELTED UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURES DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376372 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10330995 · 2010-05-18 (May 18, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS MELTING. THE DEALER REUPHOLSTERED THE SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE OWNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE WIRING HARNESS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS COULD ONLY BE USED MANUALLY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER DOOR …

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330995 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10960216 · 2017-03-12 (March 12, 2017)

LOSS OF POWER STEERING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN BREAK OF IDLER ARM PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT SHREDDING OF BELT. PROBLEM IS THE PULLEY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED IN TWO, LEAVING 1/2 THE PULLEY AND SHREDDING THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED AT DRIVING SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MILEAGE AROUND 169,650 ON 2003 ML500. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE LANE NEAREST FREEWAY EXITS. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT. LUCKY IT WAS 'RUSH' HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW ON SURFACE STREETS. INCRE…

Owner-reported narrative. 169,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10960216 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10653430 · 2014-11-07 (November 7, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAS CONTROL BOX MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10653430 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2002: 1; 2003: 0; 2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz ML500 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
2002	27	1	Not available
2003	13	0	-1
2004	18	0	0
2005	3	0	0
2006	37	2	+2
2007	9	2	0
2008	0	1	-1

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

107 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

77.6%Usable mileage83 / 107 records

98.1%Valid incident date105 / 107 records

100.0%Valid filing date107 / 107 records

98.1%Ordered incident and filing dates105 / 107 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Electrical System	27.4% ODI 10189784 · 77,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, ML500 BEGAN TO BRAKE RANDOMLY . ALSO ABS TURNED ON WHILE STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. ALSO BRAKES WERE CONSTANTLY SCREECHING. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BAS, AND WASHER FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. I TOLD DEALER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SHOULD THE SAME EVENTS OCCUR. (THE RANDOM BREAKING BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND WITH THE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM, I BROUGHT THE ML500 B… Look up ODI 10189784 at NHTSA ↗	323.1% ODI 10503789 · 133,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10503789 at NHTSA ↗	527.8% ODI 10073748 · 4,000 mi VEHICLE LOST POWER DUE TO THE ESM TRACKING SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. AK NM Look up ODI 10073748 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	718.9% ODI 10348487 · 43,444 mi ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR SUV BRAKE, ABS, ESP LIGHTS WENT ON, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOW THAT ABS, ESP, DISPLAY MALFUNCTION, CONTRACT SERVICE. POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ARE BOTH VERY TIGHT. SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO. AFTER WE REPORT THE INCIDENCE TO M-BRACE SERVICE, WE MANAGE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY FROM THE NEXT IMMEDIATE EXIT TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY OFF BY ITSELF. WE SPENT ONE NIGHT WITH A FRIEND NEARBY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE 25TH, WE TOOK OFF FROM FRIENDS DRIVE WAY, THE IN… Look up ODI 10348487 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10378769 · 32,500 mi I OWNED A 2007 MERCEDES ML500, THE REASON I DON'T OWN THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER IS BECAUSE IT BURNT UP IN MY PARKING LOT OUTSIDE OF MY OFFICE. THE EVENING BEFORE THE FIRE I HAD DINNER OUT AND WHEN I WENT TO UNLOCK MY CAR DOORS, THE RIGHT BLINKER LIGHT FLICKERED AND REMAINED ON. AS I GOT INTO THE CAR THE SOUND OF THE BLINKER WAS VERY QUICK AND I TURNED IT OFF BUT REALIZED THEN THAT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I MADE AN APPOINTMENT T GET THOSE FIXED, IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED. ONE OF… Look up ODI 10378769 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	622.2% ODI 10249894 THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SACRAMENTO CA IN AUG OF 06, AT THIS TIME WE ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED 2 YEAR WARRANTY WHICH WE UNDERSTOOD TO BE EXPIRING IN AUG OF 08. THE CAR WORKED FINE WITH NO ISSUES UNTIL SEPT OF 07. I STARTED THE CAR AT 4 AM TO HEAD TO WORK AND IT MAKE A REALLY LOUD NOISE, IT GOT WORSE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED THE MB DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT NOT WANTING TO DRIVE THE CAR MAKING THAT SOUND, HE ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS FINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEA… Look up ODI 10249894 at NHTSA ↗	323.1% ODI 10261377 · 83,317 mi I PAID MY DEALER FOR A REPAIR OF A COMPONENT THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. HOW DO I GET A REFUND OR CREDIT FOR THE EXPENSE. I HAVE ML 500 MERCEDES BENZ 2003. MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT THE WHITE PLAINS N.Y. DEALERSHIP. *TR Look up ODI 10261377 at NHTSA ↗	527.8% ODI 10382577 · 110,000 mi 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED / REPAIRED BY ZEMBRICK MERCEDES IN ADISON WISCONSIN ON FEB 3 2011. THE REPAIRS / SERVICE INCLUDED REPLACING A SEAL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. WITHIN DAYS OF THE REPAIR THE POWER STEERING UNIT LEAKED ALL IT'S FLUID FROM A HOSE CLAMP. FOUND THE RECALL 08V465000 FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH PER THE RECALL COVERED ALL 1998-2004 MB ML'S . HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP AND MBUSA STATES THIS RECALL IS VIN SPECIFIC AND THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY STILL PRESENT AND ONGOING, … Look up ODI 10382577 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	38.1% ODI 10440197 · 98,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH APPROACHING A TURN AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING AND LEAKAGE OF FLUID. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER UNDER 05V224000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. Look up ODI 10440197 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seats	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	215.4% ODI 10436061 · 97,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AS HIS LEFT PANT LEG CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SMALL BURN TO THE LEG. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SPARKS AND A SMALL FLAME COMING THROUGH A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER AND WAS TREATED FOR THE SMALL BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. Look up ODI 10436061 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 10445967 · 141,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY MERCEDES ML 500 WITH MY 17 DAUGHTER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL AND MY DAUGHTERS SEAT FELT HOT TO HER. SHE TRIED TO MOVE HER SELF OVER AND BURNT THE PALM OF HER HAND ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE HEATED SEAT HAD BEEN BURNING AT A VERY HOT TEMPERATURE AND WAS MELTING THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TO HELP COOL IT OFF. IT TOOK 30 MINUTES OR MORE FOR THE SEAT TO COOL OFF IN THAT SPOT. MY DAUGHT… Look up ODI 10445967 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	25.4% ODI 10405522 · 71,000 mi THIS EVENT IS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE--THANK GOODNESS! WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE RESIDENTIAL THOROUGHFARE, THE INTERIOR FILLED WITH SMOKE, I BEGAN COUGHING & GASPING FOR AIR AND THE SEAT BACK BECAME VERY HOT, ALL SEEMINGLY SIMULTANEOUS. INSTANTLY OPENING WINDOWS PROVIDED OXYGEN & CLEARED THE SMOKE AS TURNING OFF THE SEAT HEATER RELIEVED THE HOT SEAT SITUATION. GRATEFULLY, I WAS NOT IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, COULD PULL TO THE CURB. EXAMINATION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK, ABOUT WAIST HIGH, REVEALED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A FAT CIGAR BU… Look up ODI 10405522 at NHTSA ↗	555.6% ODI 10339102 · 38,735 mi WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 ML 500 SUV, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICALLY INDUCED SMOLDERING FIRE. THE HEAT SOURCE BURNED A DIME SIZED HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR AND MY SKIN STARTED TO BURN RIGHT THROUGH MY CLOTHES. THINKING MY CLOTHES MIGHT BURST INTO FLAMES, I IMMEDIATELY CAME TO A STOP AND SAFELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN MOMENTS LATER TURNED OFF THE CAR. THANKFULLY MY CLOTHES DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND I WAS NOT IN BUSY TRAFFIC OR THIS MIGHT HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY. IF THI… Look up ODI 10339102 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	13.7% ODI 11246736 · 201,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE LOW RANGE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE KEY FOB WAS UPDATED AND AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WALTER'S MERCEDES-BENZ OF RIVERSIDE (3213 ADAM… Look up ODI 11246736 at NHTSA ↗	538.5% ODI 10461541 NOTES TAKEN ON PHONE BY BOWMAN, ODI, NHTSA: VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AFTER IMPACT WITH IRREGULAR ROAD SURFACES CONDITION SUCH AS POTHOLE, TRANSVERSING A CHANGE ROAD GRADES / SURFACES SUCH AS SPEED BUMPS, ETAL. VEHICLE CAN BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AFTER SHUT-OFF. ONE INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE. Look up ODI 10461541 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 10668448 · 125,500 mi THIS COULD BE RELATED TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN ALL ML CLASS. 1. OBD SYSTEM CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY 2. STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR CAUSE TO REPORT INCORRECTLY 3. THE SPEEDOMETER OUT OF TOLERANCE IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY 4. OBD SYSTEM IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY CAUSING FAULTS IN SYSTEMS. *TR Look up ODI 10668448 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10653430 · 115,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAS CONTROL BOX MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. Look up ODI 10653430 at NHTSA ↗	12.7% ODI 11482998 When reviewing the vehicle for purchase I noticed the SRS light on. I brought it to the dealerships attention. They instructed me to bring it back in the morning after signing paperwork so they could fix it. After I brought it back they let me know that they didn't see any SRS lights and would not be servicing the vehicle. There has been multiple mechanical issues with the vehicle including but not limited to the transmission going out, break recalls, engine leaks and now I'm being informed that my passenger air bag is deactivated. I just want … Look up ODI 11482998 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	311.1% ODI 10057273 · 10,000 mi WARRANTY ISSUES AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. *PH AT THE FIRST 10,000 MILES, THE CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE TRAVEL WAS TOO LONG AND WAS ADVISED BY AN SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER AT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES, THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT ADEQUATE AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN BRAKING. THIS TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE GONE AND THE ROTORS WERE SCORED DUE TO TOO MUCH CITY DRIVING AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR WOULD NOT HONOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRAN… Look up ODI 10057273 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.6% ODI 10109883 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 Look up ODI 10109883 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	513.5% ODI 10210926 · 28,400 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO A GATE. THE DRIVER JUMP INTO THE VEHICLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND SUSTAINED SCRATCHES AND CUTS. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NORMAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED AN INVESTIGATOR AND HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,600. UPDATED 03/0… Look up ODI 10210926 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	311.1% ODI 10074295 TGHE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STICKY AND NOTCHY. THIS CONDITION MADE SMOOTH ACCELERATION EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. AK TS Look up ODI 10074295 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	410.8% ODI 10485867 · 48,763 mi MY WIFE HAS HAD 4 INCIDENTS WHERE THE SUV HAS FELT LIKE IS WANTS TO ACCELERATE WHILE STOPPING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 23 NOVEMBER, WHERE AS SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND IT FELT LIKE SHE HAD BEEN HIT IN THE REAR. THE CAR IS GOING INTO THE MB DEALER, PARK PLACE MERCEDES BENZ, FORT WORTH [phone removed], 27 NOVEMBER FOR INVESTIGATION. *TR Look up ODI 10485867 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	13.7% ODI 768838 TRANSMISSION STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, THREE ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY BY OWNER, FINALLY ON FOURTH ATTEMPT.(PLACING IN PARK AND TURNING OFF AN ON IGNITION) TRANSMISSION FINALLY WOKED NORMALLY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THROUGH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOLD TO RETURN VEHICLE TO DEALER, CONTACTED DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL SEVERAL TIMES. THOUGHT I SHOULD ADVISE SOMEONE AT NHSTA. DT Look up ODI 768838 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.6% ODI 10175521 · 1,500 mi 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 Look up ODI 10175521 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	410.8% ODI 10291630 · 53,000 mi AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, RELEASED BRAKE AND PRESSED GAS; THE RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, INSTEAD THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE IT WAS ON A HILL. THE GEAR INDICATOR WAS ON DRIVE, BUT CAR WAS ACTUALLY ON NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS CAR IS ON NEUTRAL AND CANNOT CHANGE TRANSMISSION BACK TO ANY GEAR. CAR WAS TAKE TO A DEALER REPAIR SHOP, WHERE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED. AS CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COST OF REPAIR OVER $1000. *TR… Look up ODI 10291630 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	13.7% ODI 11443393 There is a serious defect in the YAW rate sensors in these Mercedes ML W163's. Thank God I was driving down a secluded road and nobody was behind me, but my vehicles brakes locked up, on their own, even with my foot on the accelerator pedal, with no warning lights or warning signals. I have no error codes, and my vehicle is well maintained. There are many many people that are having the same issue with their Mercedes ML's. Some people have experienced this happening to them at freeway speeds. The YAW rate sensors are at fault, and send a sign… Look up ODI 11443393 at NHTSA ↗	215.4% ODI 10730545 · 81,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000...UPDATED 08/06/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TWO LINES FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD SEVERE PITTING AND CORROSION , AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 08/1… Look up ODI 10730545 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	25.4% ODI 11565990 I am experiencing malfunctions of the Seat Belt, electrical and breaking system Look up ODI 11565990 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	55,000–141,500 mi	97,000 mi	15	ODI 10189784 · 77,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, ML500 BEGAN TO BRAKE RANDOMLY . ALSO ABS TURNED ON WHILE STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. ALSO BRAKES WERE CONSTANTLY SCREECHING. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BAS, AND WASHER FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. I TOLD DEALER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SHOULD THE SAME EVENTS OCCUR. (THE RANDOM BREAKING BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND WITH THE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM, I BROUGHT THE ML500 B… Look up ODI 10189784 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10577315 · 50,000 mi I, 12 YEARS AGO WAS DRIVING MY ML 500 MERCEDES ON US 23 BETWEEN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN AND SYLVANIA, IN OHIO. MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND THE CAR STOPPED. THIS OCCURRED TWICE. I HAVE SINCE SOLD MY CAR SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP IN SYLVANIA AT THE TIME, AND THEY CHECKED WITH MERCEDES, WHO RELAYED THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE KEYS ON MY KEYCHAIN. THIS SOUNDED EERILY SIMILAR TO WHAT APPARENTLY HAS OCCURRED WITH THE GM CARS BEING RECALLED. PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS I… Look up ODI 10577315 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10503789 · 133,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10503789 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	69,500–153,750 mi	106,021 mi	16	ODI 10259385 · 102,041 mi IN MARCH OF 2003 MERCEDES INITIATED A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE, THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICING AND THE PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. ON APRIL 2ND OF 2008 I TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A REALLY LOUD SOUND I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING A $665 FIX. I HAD THE WORK DONE. ON APRIL 15TH OF 2008 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A $1211 FIX. I WAS FURIOUS AT THIS POINT. IN SEPTEMBER OF 20… Look up ODI 10259385 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10259799 · 40,752 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAL IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE FUEL. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT THE COST OF $525.22. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. TEN DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V121000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). HE CALLED THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUM… Look up ODI 10259799 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10261055 · 135,257 mi MY CAR LOST ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. I LOST ALMOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. IT IS RELATED TO MERCEDES BENZ RECALL #2003-040005. I RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT THIS RECALL AND IT SAID MY CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THEY SAID THAT IS WHAT THEIR RECORDS SHOW. THAT IS NOT TRUE AND NOW I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT AND I AM QUITE UPSET. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY IMMOBILE. TR Look up ODI 10261055 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	97,250–137,750 mi	112,000 mi	10	ODI 10436061 · 97,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AS HIS LEFT PANT LEG CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SMALL BURN TO THE LEG. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SPARKS AND A SMALL FLAME COMING THROUGH A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER AND WAS TREATED FOR THE SMALL BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. Look up ODI 10436061 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10622602 · 98,000 mi LAST TIME I USED THE HEATED SEATS, TURNED THEM ON THE WAR I ALWAYS HAVE, BUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY LEG FELT LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. ONE SPOT IN MY SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND WAS SMOKING. IMMEDIATELY I TURNED THE SEATS OFF AND HAVE NEVER USED THEM AGAIN. CALLED DEALER TO ASK IF THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT NO. *TR Look up ODI 10622602 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10445967 · 141,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY MERCEDES ML 500 WITH MY 17 DAUGHTER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL AND MY DAUGHTERS SEAT FELT HOT TO HER. SHE TRIED TO MOVE HER SELF OVER AND BURNT THE PALM OF HER HAND ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE HEATED SEAT HAD BEEN BURNING AT A VERY HOT TEMPERATURE AND WAS MELTING THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TO HELP COOL IT OFF. IT TOOK 30 MINUTES OR MORE FOR THE SEAT TO COOL OFF IN THAT SPOT. MY DAUGHT… Look up ODI 10445967 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	117,625–164,738 mi	137,750 mi	6	ODI 11246736 · 201,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE LOW RANGE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE KEY FOB WAS UPDATED AND AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WALTER'S MERCEDES-BENZ OF RIVERSIDE (3213 ADAM… Look up ODI 11246736 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10622600 · 111,000 mi DRIVING 45MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. TOWED TO CLOSEST GAS STATION, WHO PUT A COMPUTER ON IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. AFTER COMPLETELY COOLING IT WILL START AGAIN, BUT IN LESS THAN 10 MIN IT CUTS OFF. *TR Look up ODI 10622600 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10887829 · 150,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING. Look up ODI 10887829 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	52,700–128,500 mi	108,631 mi	7	ODI 10057273 · 10,000 mi WARRANTY ISSUES AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. *PH AT THE FIRST 10,000 MILES, THE CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE TRAVEL WAS TOO LONG AND WAS ADVISED BY AN SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER AT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES, THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT ADEQUATE AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN BRAKING. THIS TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE GONE AND THE ROTORS WERE SCORED DUE TO TOO MUCH CITY DRIVING AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR WOULD NOT HONOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRAN… Look up ODI 10057273 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10189784 · 77,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, ML500 BEGAN TO BRAKE RANDOMLY . ALSO ABS TURNED ON WHILE STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. ALSO BRAKES WERE CONSTANTLY SCREECHING. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BAS, AND WASHER FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. I TOLD DEALER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SHOULD THE SAME EVENTS OCCUR. (THE RANDOM BREAKING BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND WITH THE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM, I BROUGHT THE ML500 B… Look up ODI 10189784 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10254638 · 108,631 mi FOUND IDENTICAL PROBLEM PER NHTSA ACTION # EA08009 DEFECT INVESTIGATION. CONSTANT LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE. WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED LOW BRAKE FLUID. FOUND FLUID UNDER CAR AND IN FRONT LEFT WHEEL-WELL. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND BRAKE HARD LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER WAS CHAFFED FROM ADJACENT FUEL LINE, CAUSING SMALL PIN-HOLE LEAK IN BRAKE LINE. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BRAKE FLUID WOULD SPRAY OUT, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT BRAKING PRESSURE TO HOLD VEHICLE AT STOPS. CONTACTED MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY WERE UN-AWARE OF ANY PROBLE… Look up ODI 10254638 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	79,632 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10308930 · 110,500 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON ESP/BAS LIGHT CAME ON. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED TO SLOW VEHICLE, CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE FORCING VEHICLE TO SPEED UP ALMOST CRASHING INTO VEHICLE AHEAD. CRUISE CONTROL COULD ONLY BE DISENGAGED BY PUTTING TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSING BRAKE. THIS IS FIRST TIME FAILURE OCCURRED. DEALER REPLACES STOP LAMP SWITCH (PART IS AVAILABLE), RECOMMENDED REPLACING BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR AND BAS RELEASE SWITCH AT A COST TO ME OVER $1,000. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS S… Look up ODI 10308930 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10485867 · 48,763 mi MY WIFE HAS HAD 4 INCIDENTS WHERE THE SUV HAS FELT LIKE IS WANTS TO ACCELERATE WHILE STOPPING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 23 NOVEMBER, WHERE AS SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND IT FELT LIKE SHE HAD BEEN HIT IN THE REAR. THE CAR IS GOING INTO THE MB DEALER, PARK PLACE MERCEDES BENZ, FORT WORTH [phone removed], 27 NOVEMBER FOR INVESTIGATION. *TR Look up ODI 10485867 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10510439 · 47,000 mi VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT OR AFTER TAKING A HIGHWAY FROM A RAMP, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS, AFTER A PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT WILL RUN NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 20-30 TIMES UNTIL YESTERDAY I GET OUT OF WORK PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS IN LIMP MODE STUCK IN 2ND AND WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE CAUSE WAS FROM THE VALVE BODY OF THE TRANSMISSION OR THE CONDUCTOR PLATE… Look up ODI 10510439 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	36,039–53,000 mi	50,000 mi	5	ODI 10175521 · 1,500 mi 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 Look up ODI 10175521 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10291630 · 53,000 mi AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, RELEASED BRAKE AND PRESSED GAS; THE RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, INSTEAD THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE IT WAS ON A HILL. THE GEAR INDICATOR WAS ON DRIVE, BUT CAR WAS ACTUALLY ON NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS CAR IS ON NEUTRAL AND CANNOT CHANGE TRANSMISSION BACK TO ANY GEAR. CAR WAS TAKE TO A DEALER REPAIR SHOP, WHERE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED. AS CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COST OF REPAIR OVER $1000. TR… Look up ODI 10291630 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10294122 · 53,000 mi ACCELERATED AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHTED INTERSECTION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT THE REDUCED COST OF $2500, AS A COURTESY, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3K MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10294122 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	70,088 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10730545 · 81,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000...UPDATED 08/06/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TWO LINES FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD SEVERE PITTING AND CORROSION , AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 08/1… Look up ODI 10730545 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	1	None	ODI 11699958 THE ESP AND ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT PARKED VEHICLES CAUSING MULTIPLE DAMAGES AND INJURIES TO ME. Look up ODI 11699958 at NHTSA ↗
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2007	9	0	0
2008	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Steering	Seats	Engine	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Vehicle Speed Control	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Service Brakes
Electrical System	—	2 ODI 10887829 · 150,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING. Look up ODI 10887829 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11450281 Car is extremely hard to turn/loss of power steering. Noticed that there was a recall on these vehicles but my vin was not included. Mechanic said Power steering rack is bad. This has been an ongoing issue with this car since purchased with only 70,000 miles - not sure why this VIN was not included in the recall? Car stock radio screen also has intermittent issues with displaying properly. Look up ODI 11450281 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 10622600 · 111,000 mi DRIVING 45MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. TOWED TO CLOSEST GAS STATION, WHO PUT A COMPUTER ON IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. AFTER COMPLETELY COOLING IT WILL START AGAIN, BUT IN LESS THAN 10 MIN IT CUTS OFF. TR Look up ODI 10622600 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10887829 · 150,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING. Look up ODI 10887829 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10668448 · 125,500 mi THIS COULD BE RELATED TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN ALL ML CLASS. 1. OBD SYSTEM CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY 2. STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR CAUSE TO REPORT INCORRECTLY 3. THE SPEEDOMETER OUT OF TOLERANCE IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY 4. OBD SYSTEM IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY CAUSING FAULTS IN SYSTEMS. TR Look up ODI 10668448 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10189784 · 77,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, ML500 BEGAN TO BRAKE RANDOMLY . ALSO ABS TURNED ON WHILE STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. ALSO BRAKES WERE CONSTANTLY SCREECHING. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BAS, AND WASHER FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. I TOLD DEALER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SHOULD THE SAME EVENTS OCCUR. (THE RANDOM BREAKING BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND WITH THE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM, I BROUGHT THE ML500 B… Look up ODI 10189784 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 11565990 I am experiencing malfunctions of the Seat Belt, electrical and breaking system Look up ODI 11565990 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	2 ODI 10887829 · 150,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING. Look up ODI 10887829 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11450281 Car is extremely hard to turn/loss of power steering. Noticed that there was a recall on these vehicles but my vin was not included. Mechanic said Power steering rack is bad. This has been an ongoing issue with this car since purchased with only 70,000 miles - not sure why this VIN was not included in the recall? Car stock radio screen also has intermittent issues with displaying properly. Look up ODI 11450281 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	2 ODI 10887829 · 150,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING. Look up ODI 10887829 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10960216 · 169,650 mi LOSS OF POWER STEERING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN BREAK OF IDLER ARM PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT SHREDDING OF BELT. PROBLEM IS THE PULLEY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED IN TWO, LEAVING 1/2 THE PULLEY AND SHREDDING THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED AT DRIVING SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MILEAGE AROUND 169,650 ON 2003 ML500. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE LANE NEAREST FREEWAY EXITS. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT. LUCKY IT WAS 'RUSH' HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW ON SURFACE STREETS. INCRE… Look up ODI 10960216 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine	3 ODI 10622600 · 111,000 mi DRIVING 45MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. TOWED TO CLOSEST GAS STATION, WHO PUT A COMPUTER ON IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. AFTER COMPLETELY COOLING IT WILL START AGAIN, BUT IN LESS THAN 10 MIN IT CUTS OFF. TR Look up ODI 10622600 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10887829 · 150,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING. Look up ODI 10887829 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10668448 · 125,500 mi THIS COULD BE RELATED TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN ALL ML CLASS. 1. OBD SYSTEM CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY 2. STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR CAUSE TO REPORT INCORRECTLY 3. THE SPEEDOMETER OUT OF TOLERANCE IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY 4. OBD SYSTEM IS REPORTING INCORRECTLY CAUSING FAULTS IN SYSTEMS. TR Look up ODI 10668448 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10887829 · 150,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING. Look up ODI 10887829 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10960216 · 169,650 mi LOSS OF POWER STEERING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN BREAK OF IDLER ARM PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT SHREDDING OF BELT. PROBLEM IS THE PULLEY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED IN TWO, LEAVING 1/2 THE PULLEY AND SHREDDING THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED AT DRIVING SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MILEAGE AROUND 169,650 ON 2003 ML500. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE LANE NEAREST FREEWAY EXITS. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT. LUCKY IT WAS 'RUSH' HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW ON SURFACE STREETS. INCRE… Look up ODI 10960216 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1 ODI 10189784 · 77,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, ML500 BEGAN TO BRAKE RANDOMLY . ALSO ABS TURNED ON WHILE STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. ALSO BRAKES WERE CONSTANTLY SCREECHING. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BAS, AND WASHER FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. I TOLD DEALER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SHOULD THE SAME EVENTS OCCUR. (THE RANDOM BREAKING BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND WITH THE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM, I BROUGHT THE ML500 B… Look up ODI 10189784 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 11699958 THE ESP AND ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT PARKED VEHICLES CAUSING MULTIPLE DAMAGES AND INJURIES TO ME. Look up ODI 11699958 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Service Brakes	1 ODI 11565990 I am experiencing malfunctions of the Seat Belt, electrical and breaking system Look up ODI 11565990 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10909481 · 59,175 mi MECHANICAL FAILURE, STEERING JAM AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK DURING DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH IN SUBDIVISION STREET. GOT IN ACCIDENT HITTING THE VAN. Look up ODI 10909481 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 11699958 THE ESP AND ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT PARKED VEHICLES CAUSING MULTIPLE DAMAGES AND INJURIES TO ME. Look up ODI 11699958 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

7 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

18 mentions · 16.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 125,000 mi (15 usable records).

ODI 10189784 · 77,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, ML500 BEGAN TO BRAKE RANDOMLY . ALSO ABS TURNED ON WHILE STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. ALSO BRAKES WERE CONSTANTLY SCREECHING. WARNING LIGHTS FOR ABS, BAS, AND WASHER FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE. I TOLD DEALER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SHOULD THE SAME EVENTS OCCUR. (THE RANDOM BREAKING BEGAN TO OCCUR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST AND WITH THE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM, I BROUGHT THE ML500 B…

Look up ODI 10189784 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10249894

Look up ODI 10249894 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10254638 · 108,631 mi

FOUND IDENTICAL PROBLEM PER NHTSA ACTION # EA08009 DEFECT INVESTIGATION. CONSTANT LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE. WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED LOW BRAKE FLUID. FOUND FLUID UNDER CAR AND IN FRONT LEFT WHEEL-WELL. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND BRAKE HARD LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER WAS CHAFFED FROM ADJACENT FUEL LINE, CAUSING SMALL PIN-HOLE LEAK IN BRAKE LINE. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BRAKE FLUID WOULD SPRAY OUT, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT BRAKING PRESSURE TO HOLD VEHICLE AT STOPS. CONTACTED MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY WERE UN-AWARE OF ANY PROBLE…

Look up ODI 10254638 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Steering assistance concerns

17 mentions · 15.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 101,384 mi (14 usable records).

ODI 10249894

Look up ODI 10249894 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10259385 · 102,041 mi

IN MARCH OF 2003 MERCEDES INITIATED A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE, THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICING AND THE PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. ON APRIL 2ND OF 2008 I TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A REALLY LOUD SOUND I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING A $665 FIX. I HAD THE WORK DONE. ON APRIL 15TH OF 2008 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A $1211 FIX. I WAS FURIOUS AT THIS POINT. IN SEPTEMBER OF 20…

Look up ODI 10259385 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10259799 · 40,752 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAL IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE FUEL. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT THE COST OF $525.22. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. TEN DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V121000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). HE CALLED THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUM…

Look up ODI 10259799 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Brake response concerns

8 mentions · 7.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 125,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10308930 · 110,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON ESP/BAS LIGHT CAME ON. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED TO SLOW VEHICLE, CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE FORCING VEHICLE TO SPEED UP ALMOST CRASHING INTO VEHICLE AHEAD. CRUISE CONTROL COULD ONLY BE DISENGAGED BY PUTTING TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSING BRAKE. THIS IS FIRST TIME FAILURE OCCURRED. DEALER REPLACES STOP LAMP SWITCH (PART IS AVAILABLE), RECOMMENDED REPLACING BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR AND BAS RELEASE SWITCH AT A COST TO ME OVER $1,000. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS S…

Look up ODI 10308930 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10368826

2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING VEHICLE BRAKE FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINES LEAKING. *JB

Look up ODI 10368826 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11443393

There is a serious defect in the YAW rate sensors in these Mercedes ML W163's. Thank God I was driving down a secluded road and nobody was behind me, but my vehicles brakes locked up, on their own, even with my foot on the accelerator pedal, with no warning lights or warning signals. I have no error codes, and my vehicle is well maintained. There are many many people that are having the same issue with their Mercedes ML's. Some people have experienced this happening to them at freeway speeds. The YAW rate sensors are at fault, and send a sign…

Look up ODI 11443393 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 115,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10960216 · 169,650 mi

Look up ODI 10960216 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10073748 · 4,000 mi

VEHICLE LOST POWER DUE TO THE ESM TRACKING SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. *AK *NM

Look up ODI 10073748 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10653430 · 115,000 mi

Look up ODI 10653430 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

3 mentions · 2.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 20,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10188707 · 51 mi

Look up ODI 10188707 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10289288 · 117,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND AN HOUR LATER, HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND THAT THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.

Look up ODI 10289288 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10241812 · 20,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Look up ODI 10241812 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10862907

SMELL GAS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. RUST AROUND FRONT AND REAR FENDERS

Look up ODI 10862907 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 36,039 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10373422 · 36,039 mi

2006 ML500 WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE, 2010 AS A CPO, ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES SERVICE AND MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD FLUSHING TRANSMISSION WAS ANSWER, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR MONTHS. VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO STICK IN NEUTRAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. SEVERAL TIMES WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER MANY INSTANCES OF THIS, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO MERCEDES SERVICE. WAS TOLD …

Look up ODI 10373422 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule