IllustrationCAR WAS IN PARK AT THE TOP OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE TO STOP. THE CAR MAKER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT (AFTER A MONTH) WHO DETERMINED IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. (I AM AWAITING THEIR REPORT TO ME) CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. *JB
1999 Mercedes Benz ML320
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most ML320 years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all ML320 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55MPH ON AVERAGE, ENGINE MISFIRED. CONSUMER STATED HAS TO PULL OF THE ROAD, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, BUT AS SOON AS REACHING HIGH SPEED, WILL BE THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. VEHICLE IS WITHOUT WARRANTY.*AK
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATIC IN COLD WEATHER. *JB DURING THE FIRST 5-6 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR IN COLD WEATHER. ABLE TO SHIFT AFTER WARM START (ABOUT 5 MINUTES). *TT
1.) BRAKE PADS NEED REPLACING AFTER 10,000 MILES. 2.) FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT REQUIRES NEWLY DESIGNED PART AND ADDITIONAL HOSES, CLAMPS ETC TOTALING OVER $300. BECAUSE PREVIOUS PART CAUSES FUEL LEAKS(?) AND NOT AVAILABLE. SHOULDN'T MB PAY FOR PART OF THIS?? *NLM
THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT.*JB
THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON BUT NO RECALLS YET. *NLM THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON BUT NO RECALLS YET. CAUSE: POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP FELL OFF WHILE DRIVI…
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THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON BUT NO RECALLS YET. *NLM THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON BUT NO RECALLS YET. CAUSE: POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOLUTION: NEW HOSE CLAMP INSTALLED AND SYSTEM HAD TO BE BLED AND FLUSHED. *MR
THE POWER STEERING FAILED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. FUEL LEAKED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *NLM
STARTED TO DRIVE OUT OF PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF, LOST ALL FLUID AND POWER STEERING ASSIST. HAVE TO TOW TO DEALER. REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.*JB
THIS IS THE THIRD ATTEMPT TO MOVE FORWARD THROUGH THE SITE. IF THE OTHER MESSAGES DO NOT COME THROUGH, PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL. TS
CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER MERCEDES BENZ TRUCK, ONE BEING THAT THE TRUCK WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH CAUSES HER TIRES TO WEAR OUT FAST. SECOND ONE IS THAT THE DOOR LOCK REGULATOR DOES NOT WORK AND THE THIRD IS THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT FAILED AT 24,000 MILES CAUSING IT TO BECOME IMPOS…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER MERCEDES BENZ TRUCK, ONE BEING THAT THE TRUCK WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH CAUSES HER TIRES TO WEAR OUT FAST. SECOND ONE IS THAT THE DOOR LOCK REGULATOR DOES NOT WORK AND THE THIRD IS THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT FAILED AT 24,000 MILES CAUSING IT TO BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE TRUCK. SHE ALSO SAYS THAT THE TRUCK LEAKS POWER STEERING FLUID. TS
Official recalls
0No 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
2PE03058 · 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.