Mercedes Benz ML500 vs BMW 540I
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 ML500 | BMW 540I |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 141 | 347 |
| Model years covered | 2002–2007 | 1994–2025 |
| Worst model year | 2006 | 2018 |
| Best model year | 2003 | 1994 |
| Crashes reported | 9 | 26 |
| Fires reported | 20 | 7 |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 14 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Steering | Engine & Cooling |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 30.5% | 13.5% |
Mercedes Benz ML500 by year
What breaks
Steering
22
15.6%
Brakes
22
15.6%
Electrical System
20
14.2%
Seats
14
9.9%
Engine & Cooling
12
8.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
10
7.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
7
5.0%
Other & Unspecified
6
4.3%
BMW 540I by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
70
20.2%
Airbags
49
14.1%
Electrical System
42
12.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
26
7.5%
Brakes
21
6.1%
Seats
19
5.5%
Seat Belts
18
5.2%
Steering
17
4.9%