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U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz ML55 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

85,918 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 to 2003 model years. Data updated: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 13 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior646.2%
Steering behavior323.1%

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.

Service Brakes
4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
Wheels
2
Electrical System
1
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
Steering
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Wheels2
Electrical System1
Engine1
Exterior Lighting1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip1
Steering1

Service Brakes: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Steering: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 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.

2007
1
2009
1
2010
1
2011
2
2014
1
2015
2
2016
2
2017
1
2019
1
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20071
20091
20101
20112
20141
20152
20162
20171
20191
20241

2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10370718 · 2010-12-15 (December 15, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEN RELEASED CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND HAD TO BE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE COMPUTER AND WHEELS TO LOCK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $3400 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT HE HAD TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER IN HIS AREA AND OFFERED…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370718 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10439053 · 2011-12-08 (December 8, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES ML55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING BRAKING ISSUES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE WENT OVER SOME HUGE BOULDER ROCKS AND WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED HARD ON GROUND, TIRES FIRST. . THE CONTACT WAS REP…

Owner-reported narrative. 79,836 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439053 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10186579 · 2007-03-30 (March 30, 2007)

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TAKING THE 2001 MERCEDES ML55 WITH 72029 CURRENT MILEAGE FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 72,029 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186579 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10854402 · 2016-04-08 (April 8, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD NUMEROUS LEAKS AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V121000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10854402 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

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

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2000
0
2001
0
2002
1
2003
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20000
20010
20021
20030

2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 1; 2003: 0

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz ML55 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200010Not available
2001900
200221+1
200310-1
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

76.9%Usable mileage10 / 13 records
100.0%Valid incident date13 / 13 records
100.0%Valid filing date13 / 13 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates13 / 13 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.

Component complaint heatmap
Component2000200120022003
Service Brakes
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

222.2%
ODI 11004151 · 135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Look up ODI 11004151 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10631672 · 92,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH MY ABS LIGHT SHOWN UP AND ALL 4 TIRES LOCK UP. ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10631672 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 10863174 · 58,000 mi

RUBBER SEAL BETWEEN BRAKE PISTON AND BOOSTER CAN COME OFF OR DISINTEGRATE, CAUSING LOSS OF VACUUM ASSIST AND A SUDDEN DECREASE IN BRAKE FORCE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Look up ODI 10863174 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

111.1%
ODI 10439053 · 79,836 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES ML55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING BRAKING ISSUES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE WENT OVER SOME HUGE BOULDER ROCKS AND WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED HARD ON GROUND, TIRES FIRST. . THE CONTACT WAS REP…

Look up ODI 10439053 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10406842 · 70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IDLE ABRUPTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE YAW RATE CENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAIL…

Look up ODI 10406842 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Wheels
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

222.2%
ODI 10679161

2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML55. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE LOCKED UP, SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED OVER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SENSOR DID NOT PREVENT THE ROLL OVER. *JB

Look up ODI 10679161 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

111.1%
ODI 10296899 · 99,781 mi

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING, FOG LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, CAN GET NO LIGHTS TO COME ON SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL PUT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO CARFAX, YET WHEN I SPEAK TO ANYONE AT MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR

Look up ODI 10296899 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
1100.0%
ODI 11206460 · 165,000 mi

VEHICLE EXHIBITS RATTLING NOISES, EXHAUST LEAKS, CEL, REDUCED POWER, AND EXTREMELY LOW MPG, LARGE AMT OF BLACK SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. MBUSA HAS HAD A SERVICE "CAMPAIGN" IN EFFECT THAT CLAIMS TO COVER MY PARTICULAR CAR AND QUALIFIES IT FOR REPAIR (AT NO COST WHATSOEVER), BUT WHEN I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO A MAIN DEALER, THEY DID NOT HONOR THE CAMPAIN/RECALL. THEY CLAIMED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONES AFFECTED, EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY LISTED ON THE BULLETIN, AND I…

Look up ODI 11206460 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.

Exterior Lighting
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

111.1%
ODI 10296899 · 99,781 mi

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING, FOG LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, CAN GET NO LIGHTS TO COME ON SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL PUT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO CARFAX, YET WHEN I SPEAK TO ANYONE AT MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR

Look up ODI 10296899 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

111.1%
ODI 10370718 · 25,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEN RELEASED CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND HAD TO BE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE COMPUTER AND WHEELS TO LOCK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $3400 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT HE HAD TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER IN HIS AREA AND OFFERED…

Look up ODI 10370718 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Steering
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

111.1%
ODI 10854402 · 116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD NUMEROUS LEAKS AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V121000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Look up ODI 10854402 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

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
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Service BrakesToo few reports for a range92,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 11004151 · 135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Look up ODI 11004151 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10631672 · 92,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH MY ABS LIGHT SHOWN UP AND ALL 4 TIRES LOCK UP. ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10631672 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10863174 · 58,000 mi

RUBBER SEAL BETWEEN BRAKE PISTON AND BOOSTER CAN COME OFF OR DISINTEGRATE, CAUSING LOSS OF VACUUM ASSIST AND A SUDDEN DECREASE IN BRAKE FORCE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Look up ODI 10863174 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, HydraulicToo few reports for a range74,918 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10439053 · 79,836 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES ML55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING BRAKING ISSUES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE WENT OVER SOME HUGE BOULDER ROCKS AND WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED HARD ON GROUND, TIRES FIRST. . THE CONTACT WAS REP…

Look up ODI 10439053 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10406842 · 70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IDLE ABRUPTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE YAW RATE CENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAIL…

Look up ODI 10406842 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range99,781 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10296899 · 99,781 mi

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING, FOG LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, CAN GET NO LIGHTS TO COME ON SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL PUT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO CARFAX, YET WHEN I SPEAK TO ANYONE AT MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR

Look up ODI 10296899 at NHTSA ↗

EngineToo few reports for a range165,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11206460 · 165,000 mi

VEHICLE EXHIBITS RATTLING NOISES, EXHAUST LEAKS, CEL, REDUCED POWER, AND EXTREMELY LOW MPG, LARGE AMT OF BLACK SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. MBUSA HAS HAD A SERVICE "CAMPAIGN" IN EFFECT THAT CLAIMS TO COVER MY PARTICULAR CAR AND QUALIFIES IT FOR REPAIR (AT NO COST WHATSOEVER), BUT WHEN I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO A MAIN DEALER, THEY DID NOT HONOR THE CAMPAIN/RECALL. THEY CLAIMED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONES AFFECTED, EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY LISTED ON THE BULLETIN, AND I…

Look up ODI 11206460 at NHTSA ↗

Exterior LightingToo few reports for a range99,781 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10296899 · 99,781 mi

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING, FOG LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, CAN GET NO LIGHTS TO COME ON SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL PUT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO CARFAX, YET WHEN I SPEAK TO ANYONE AT MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR

Look up ODI 10296899 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipToo few reports for a range25,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10370718 · 25,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEN RELEASED CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND HAD TO BE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE COMPUTER AND WHEELS TO LOCK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $3400 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT HE HAD TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER IN HIS AREA AND OFFERED…

Look up ODI 10370718 at NHTSA ↗

SteeringToo few reports for a range116,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10854402 · 116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD NUMEROUS LEAKS AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V121000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Look up ODI 10854402 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

1 reports2024-112026-10

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
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2002: 0 complaints · 2003: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2002000
2003000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2002200
2003100

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
ComponentService BrakesService Brakes, HydraulicWheelsElectrical SystemEngineExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipSteering
Service Brakes—0000000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic0—000000
Wheels00—00000
Electrical System000—0
1
ODI 10296899 · 99,781 mi

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING, FOG LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, CAN GET NO LIGHTS TO COME ON SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL PUT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO CARFAX, YET WHEN I SPEAK TO ANYONE AT MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR

Look up ODI 10296899 at NHTSA ↗

00
Engine0000—000
Exterior Lighting000
1
ODI 10296899 · 99,781 mi

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING, FOG LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, CAN GET NO LIGHTS TO COME ON SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL PUT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO CARFAX, YET WHEN I SPEAK TO ANYONE AT MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR

Look up ODI 10296899 at NHTSA ↗

0—00
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip000000—0
Steering0000000—

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.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 11568459

While driving the vehicle the car would randomly lock up different wheels on the car jerking the steering wheel out of my hands. The first time I was on a freeway and thought I must have run over a puddle of oil and the antilock system was trying to keep the car stable, even though the steering wheel was jerking from side to side. As it only last 10 terrifying seconds, I thought that would be the last time the car did that. The second time it happened was just getting off the freeway and the system kept locking up different wheels again, but…

Look up ODI 11568459 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 116,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10854402 · 116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD NUMEROUS LEAKS AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V121000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Look up ODI 10854402 at NHTSA ↗

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