Mercedes Benz ML500 vs BMW X3 SAV
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 X3 SAV |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 141 | 343 |
| Model years covered | 2002–2007 | 2007–2012 |
| Worst model year | 2006 | 2007 |
| Best model year | 2003 | 2011 |
| Crashes reported | 9 | 12 |
| Fires reported | 20 | 33 |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 28 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Steering | Airbags |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 30.5% | 21.3% |
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 X3 SAV by year
What breaks
Airbags
99
28.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain
56
16.3%
Seats
51
14.9%
Engine & Cooling
42
12.2%
Electrical System
28
8.2%
Steering
11
3.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
9
2.6%
Body & Structure
8
2.3%