Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
725–50K
2950–75K
1375–100K
12100–150K
6150K+
72 reports with mileage · 53 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
125 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Suspension
VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF ALIGNMENT/BALANCE SINCE PURCHASE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN JANUARY 1999 FOR A TOTAL OUT-OF-SERVICE OF ABOUT A MONTH. VEHICLE HAS ALTERNATELY BEEN ALIGNED, TIRES BALANCE OR ROTATED TO CORRECT VIBRATION OF VEHICLE AT ALL SPEEDS. ORIGINAL GENERAL TIRES WERE EXCHANGED FOR A S…
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VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF ALIGNMENT/BALANCE SINCE PURCHASE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN JANUARY 1999 FOR A TOTAL OUT-OF-SERVICE OF ABOUT A MONTH. VEHICLE HAS ALTERNATELY BEEN ALIGNED, TIRES BALANCE OR ROTATED TO CORRECT VIBRATION OF VEHICLE AT ALL SPEEDS. ORIGINAL GENERAL TIRES WERE EXCHANGED FOR A SET OF DUNLOPS IN MAY OF 1999, DUE TO DEPRESSIONS/BULGES IN SIDEWALLS. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO REPAIR IN NOVEMBER 1999 FOR OUT OF BALANCE/ALIGNMENT CONDITION. REPAIR SHOP SAID VEHICLE WAS RE-BALANCED USING LOAD-BEARING TECHNIQUE. VEHICLE VIBRATES AT ALL SPEEDS NOW, BUT PARTICULARLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. SEVERITY OF VIBRATION IS SUCH THAT ONE CANNOT HOLD A NORMAL CONVERSATION IN THE VEHICLE. VIBRATION ADVERSLY AFFECTS SAFETY AND HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPORTS VEHICLE BALANCED/ALIGNED TO MERCEDES-BENZ SPECS AND NOTHING FURTHER CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT IT, AND THAT THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS PROBLEM. AN ALTERNATE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS ENCOUNTERING SEVERAL PROBLEMS IN KEEPING ALIGNMENT/BALANCE CORRECT ON ML320S. UNTIL REMEDIED, VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH.( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #714990
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 1999
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE AFTER STOPPING, TOWED TO DEALER IN VA. FOR REPAIR. LOCKS POPPING UP AND DOWN LIKE A MACHINE GUN, DEALER HAS "FIXED" 3 TIMES, CD PLAYER FAILURE AFTER A MONTH, DEALER REPLACED COMPLETE UNIT, DASH WARNING LIGHTS WERE EITHER OFF AT STARTING OR SOME ON OR ALL OFF, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, SEEMS TO HAVE HEALED…
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TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE AFTER STOPPING, TOWED TO DEALER IN VA. FOR REPAIR. LOCKS POPPING UP AND DOWN LIKE A MACHINE GUN, DEALER HAS "FIXED" 3 TIMES, CD PLAYER FAILURE AFTER A MONTH, DEALER REPLACED COMPLETE UNIT, DASH WARNING LIGHTS WERE EITHER OFF AT STARTING OR SOME ON OR ALL OFF, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, SEEMS TO HAVE HEALED. WE DO NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW ANYMORE. WE ARE CONSTANTLY AWAITING SOMETHING ELSE TO GO WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #713055
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLES ENGINE CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH OWNER, AND 3 TIMES WITH DEALER. DEALER CANT FIND A SOLUTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #845739
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL STALK IS TOO LONG, MAKING ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION OF CRUISE CONTROL LIKELY WHEN ACTIVATING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. HITTING THE CC STALK WHEN MAKING A RIGHR TURN ACTIVATES THE "ACCEL" PORTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE IS NO VISUAL INDICATION (DASH LAMP, ETC.) THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.
NHTSA ODI #702794
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1998
Unknown Or Other
OWNER'S MANUAL STATES ON PAGE 59 'PRESS DOWN ROCKER SWITCH SYMBOLS: AUXILIARY FRONT FOG LAMPS ON (IF SO EQUIPPED). GREEN INDICATOR LAMP IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMES ON. GREEN INDICATOR LAMP IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT COME ON! DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME HE HAS NOT SEEN THIS LIGHT IN ANY ML 320 OR ML 430 EQUIPPED WITH…
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OWNER'S MANUAL STATES ON PAGE 59 'PRESS DOWN ROCKER SWITCH SYMBOLS: AUXILIARY FRONT FOG LAMPS ON (IF SO EQUIPPED). GREEN INDICATOR LAMP IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMES ON. GREEN INDICATOR LAMP IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT COME ON! DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME HE HAS NOT SEEN THIS LIGHT IN ANY ML 320 OR ML 430 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS. I CALLED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA INC. AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEVER SEE THIS LIGHT, THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS IN ERROR. I FEEL THIS INDICATOR LIGHT IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE BLUE HEADLAMP HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT TO REMIND THE DRIVER HIGH BEAMS ARE ON, SO AS NOT TO ANNOY ONCOMING DRIVERS. THE MERCEDES-BENZ AUXILIARY FRONT FOG LAMPS ARE BRIGHT! THEY ARE WONDERFUL FOR DRIVING ON THE NARROW RURAL ROADS WHERE I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA, BUT THEY WILL ANNOY ONCOMING DRIVERS IF LEFT ON.
NHTSA ODI #700716
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure
Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
PE03006 · Power Steering Hose Assembly Leakage
Opened Feb 13, 2003 · Closed Apr 4, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
1999 Mercedes Benz ML320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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