FaultScore

Mercedes Benz ML500 vs Dodge Nitro 4X4

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 Dodge Nitro 4X4
Complaints on file 141 342
Model years covered 2002–2007 2007–2009
Worst model year 2006
Best model year 2003
Crashes reported 9 5
Fires reported 20 7
Injuries reported 14 5
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Steering Electrical System
Share of complaints involving harm 30.5% 5%

Mercedes Benz ML500 by year

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

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%

Dodge Nitro 4X4 by year

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

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 24 7.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 21 6.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 20 5.8%
Brakes 19 5.6%
Doors, Latches & Locks 12 3.5%