Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
1 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE OTHERS WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL AND YES IT IS VERY TRUE THAT THIS CAR LOCKS UP THE BRAKES ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR REASON WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A CLEAR DRY DAY! MERCEDES WILL NOT AGREE WITH ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE DIES AND THEY ARE BROUGHT TO COURT. I HAD TO REMOVE…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE OTHERS WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL AND YES IT IS VERY TRUE THAT THIS CAR LOCKS UP THE BRAKES ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR REASON WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A CLEAR DRY DAY! MERCEDES WILL NOT AGREE WITH ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE DIES AND THEY ARE BROUGHT TO COURT. I HAD TO REMOVE MY YAW RATE SENSOR FROM THE CAR TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF SO THAT MY WIFE WAS SAFE. JUST TURNING OFF THE SYSTEM WILL NOT STOP IT FROM DOING THIS. DOES MERCEDES THINK EVERYONE JUST IMAGINES THIS HAPPENING TO THEM? ALL THE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME MODEL ML OVER AND OVER FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND I EVEN HAVE READ ABOUT IT FROM PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THE CAR IS NOW SITTING IN MY BACKYARD AND NOT IN USE BECAUSE YOUR NOT GOING TO CAUSE ANYONE IN MY FAMILY TO BE HURT MERCEDES BENZ! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246084
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
1
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.
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