FaultScore

Mercedes Benz ML430 vs Lexus RX Hybrid

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz ML430 Lexus RX Hybrid
Complaints on file 194 474
Model years covered 1990–2001 2005–2025
Worst model year 2000 2008
Best model year 2001 2010
Crashes reported 12 79
Fires reported 3 3
Injuries reported 7 28
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Brakes Brakes
Share of complaints involving harm 11.3% 23.2%

Mercedes Benz ML430 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Brakes 42 21.6%
Steering 28 14.4%
Engine & Cooling 24 12.4%
Electrical System 16 8.2%
Stability & Traction Control 15 7.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 14 7.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain 13 6.7%
Fuel & Propulsion 10 5.2%

Lexus RX Hybrid by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Brakes 114 24.1%
Other & Unspecified 24 5.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 23 4.9%