Owners have filed 200 complaints
about the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 with NHTSA between 1998 and 2018.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 83
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz ML320. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 11
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Mercedes Benz ML320
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
23.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
69.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1219.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2539.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1117.5%
150,000+ miles
711.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 1998peak 20Jan 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE03058Opened 17 Dec 2003Closed 22 Apr 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
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...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Silver Spring, MDCrash
AIR BAGS
1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE COLUMN. THIS DAMAGED THE MAIN METAL FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10692464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MDCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE COLUMN. THIS DAMAGED THE MAIN METAL FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10692464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,549 milesAustin, TXFire
SEAT BELTS
WENT TO START MY CAR SEAT BELT BLEW UP ,SMOKE COMING OUT NOW WILL NOT WORK WILL NOT RETRACT .HOW CAN MERCEDES MAKE SUCH A DANGEROUS PRODUCT AND NOT BE BE SUED FOR SUCH A CRAPPY DANGEROUS PRODUCT.THIS NOT A ISOLATED OR FREAK OCCURANCE HAVE READ NUMEROUS SIMILAR ON LINE.
NHTSA complaint #10716921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,567 milesDES Moines, WAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND WORKED AGAIN AFTER SOME PUMPING AND COASTING TO AVOID COLLISION. THE CAR THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10474364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,900 milesEagan, MNFire1 injured
SEAT BELTS
FAILURE OF FRONT DRIVER'S SEATBELT ASSEMBLY; A GUNSHOT TYPE NOISE AND SMOKE OCCURRED COMING OUT OF THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR AREA; SEATBELT RETRACTOR BROKE CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO KEEP RETRACTING TIGHTENING ON PERSON AND THE RELEASE ON THE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE CAUSING INJURY; THE EVENT OCCURRED WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF TURNING ON CAR IN PARKED POSITION AND AS SOON AS SEATBELT WAS PUT IN THE BUCKLE.
NHTSA complaint #10226038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,433 milesReno, NV1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I PUT MY SEAT BELT (S/B) ON AND STARTED THE IGNITION. A LOUD BANG, I WAS JERKED BACK INTO MY SEAT BY THE S/B AND WAS TRAPPED. WHITE SMOKE ESCAPED WHERE THE S/B COMES OUT OF THE FRAME. THE SRS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, UNBUCKLED THE S/B, WHICH DIDN'T RETRACT BACK INTO THE FEED, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO DISSIPATE. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, PUT MY S/B ON, WHICH WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT ADJUST. I CALLED MB DEALERSHIP TO REPORT INCID AND MAKE APT FOR CAR TO BE CHKD. 8-30-07 I BROUGHT CAR INTO MB OF RENO, NV. MB SAID NEED TO ORDER PARTS, BRING BACK ONCE PARTS IN. THE OTHER SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ANOTHER CUST RECENTLY, BUT NEVER HEARD OF ANOTHER OCCURRENCE. I ASKED MY SERVICE ADVISOR, JOSEPH CASTLEBERRY, TO INVEST PROBLEM, LET ME KNOW. HE WOULD GET BACK TO ME. I PICKED UP THE CAR AFTER REPAIRS, JOE DIDN'T KNOW WHY MALFUNCTION OCCURRED, BUT COST WAS $1079.82. I TOLD HIM THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WANTED THIS INVESTIGATED. HE SAID IT WAS A FLUKE INCIDENT, AND I STRESSED, I WANTED ANSWERS. MB OF RENO INV COPY READS AS ?INSPECT FOR COMPLAINT, FOUND THE DRIVERS ETR HAS GONE OFF WITHOUT CAUSE. PREPARE AND PERFORM DTC QUICK TEST, FOUND ONLY CODE FOR DRIVERS ETR, CHECK MB HIST OF COMPLAINT, AS PER HIST REC THEY REPLACED BOTH THE SRS CONTROL MODULES AND THE ETR, RECOMMEND THAT BOTH THE SRS CONTROL UNIT AND THE ETR BE REPLACED AS PER TAC HISTORY OF COMPLAINT, R&R LEFT SIDE B PILLAR PANELING, REPLACED DRIVERS S/B, R&R SENSOR CONSOLE, REPLACED SRS CONTROL UNIT, CHECK ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR SHORTS, WIRING IS OK AND INTACT, PERFORMED VERSION CODING OF SRS CONTROL UNIT, CLEARED ALL CODES AND RETEST, RETEST OK?. ON 9-17-07 BEN FROM MB OF NA SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. COPY OF THE INVOICE AVAIL UPON REQ. VEH: 98 MER ML320 MIL:97508
NHTSA complaint #10203560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Silver Spring, MDCrash
AIR BAGS
1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE COLUMN. THIS DAMAGED THE MAIN METAL FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10692464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MDCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE COLUMN. THIS DAMAGED THE MAIN METAL FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10692464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesFlorence, AL
WHEELS
MICHELIN LATTITUDE TOUR 255/65R16 TIRES ARE PREMATURELY COMING APART. I HAVE LESS THAN 15K MILES ON THESE TIRES AND THE TREAD IS RIPPING AWAY FROM THE SIDE WALLS. THERE IS NO RECALL FROM MICHELIN FOR THIS SIZE OF TIRE AND IT HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE OTHER SIZES IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL TIRE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! 164 DOLLARS A TIRE AND I COULD HAVE DIED DRIVING ON THESE THINGS. THESE NEED A RECALL NOW! PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT RICK DRIVING WITH THESE TIRES!
NHTSA complaint #10851726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,549 milesAustin, TXFire
SEAT BELTS
WENT TO START MY CAR SEAT BELT BLEW UP ,SMOKE COMING OUT NOW WILL NOT WORK WILL NOT RETRACT .HOW CAN MERCEDES MAKE SUCH A DANGEROUS PRODUCT AND NOT BE BE SUED FOR SUCH A CRAPPY DANGEROUS PRODUCT.THIS NOT A ISOLATED OR FREAK OCCURANCE HAVE READ NUMEROUS SIMILAR ON LINE.
NHTSA complaint #10716921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,459 milesMWC, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND UNKNOWN TO ME THE ML320 FOR THIS YEAR LOSES ITS TRANSPONDER CODES IN THE DAS SECURITY MODULE WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A LOW BATTERY. THIS IS EVIDENTALLY THE THIRD KEY THAT HAS LOST ITS PROGRAMMING ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. COST SO FAR IS 499 FOR A KEY, WEEKS WAITING FOR THE KEY FROM GERMANY, AND 300 TO PROGRAM IT ONCE THEY RECIEVE THE KEY. ITS A DEALERSHIP ONLY ITEM SO ITS VERY VERY COSTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCADES AND CHECKING THE FORUMS IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS 1998-2000 MODEL MERCADES ALL LOSE THEIR TRANSPONDER CODES BETWEEN 129,000 AND 132,000 MILES NO MATTER WHAT.THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY MERCADES. I NEVER HAD THESE ISSUES WITH MY TWO 2002 ML500'S BUT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BENZ IN MY LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10669353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,459 milesMWC, OK
ENGINE
MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND UNKNOWN TO ME THE ML320 FOR THIS YEAR LOSES ITS TRANSPONDER CODES IN THE DAS SECURITY MODULE WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A LOW BATTERY. THIS IS EVIDENTALLY THE THIRD KEY THAT HAS LOST ITS PROGRAMMING ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. COST SO FAR IS 499 FOR A KEY, WEEKS WAITING FOR THE KEY FROM GERMANY, AND 300 TO PROGRAM IT ONCE THEY RECIEVE THE KEY. ITS A DEALERSHIP ONLY ITEM SO ITS VERY VERY COSTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCADES AND CHECKING THE FORUMS IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS 1998-2000 MODEL MERCADES ALL LOSE THEIR TRANSPONDER CODES BETWEEN 129,000 AND 132,000 MILES NO MATTER WHAT.THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY MERCADES. I NEVER HAD THESE ISSUES WITH MY TWO 2002 ML500'S BUT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BENZ IN MY LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10669353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,459 milesMWC, OK
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND UNKNOWN TO ME THE ML320 FOR THIS YEAR LOSES ITS TRANSPONDER CODES IN THE DAS SECURITY MODULE WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A LOW BATTERY. THIS IS EVIDENTALLY THE THIRD KEY THAT HAS LOST ITS PROGRAMMING ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. COST SO FAR IS 499 FOR A KEY, WEEKS WAITING FOR THE KEY FROM GERMANY, AND 300 TO PROGRAM IT ONCE THEY RECIEVE THE KEY. ITS A DEALERSHIP ONLY ITEM SO ITS VERY VERY COSTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCADES AND CHECKING THE FORUMS IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS 1998-2000 MODEL MERCADES ALL LOSE THEIR TRANSPONDER CODES BETWEEN 129,000 AND 132,000 MILES NO MATTER WHAT.THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY MERCADES. I NEVER HAD THESE ISSUES WITH MY TWO 2002 ML500'S BUT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BENZ IN MY LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10669353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDENLY I COULD NOT GAIN OR GET ANY MORE SPEED. I WAS JUST COASTING ALONG, I THEN ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED BURNING SMELL FROM FRONT WHEELS. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE GEAR I WAS IN.
NHTSA complaint #10616862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
WHEELS
SUDDENLY I COULD NOT GAIN OR GET ANY MORE SPEED. I WAS JUST COASTING ALONG, I THEN ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED BURNING SMELL FROM FRONT WHEELS. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE GEAR I WAS IN.
NHTSA complaint #10616862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
SUDDENLY I COULD NOT GAIN OR GET ANY MORE SPEED. I WAS JUST COASTING ALONG, I THEN ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED BURNING SMELL FROM FRONT WHEELS. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE GEAR I WAS IN.
NHTSA complaint #10616862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,275 milesEnglewood, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
MESSAGE DISPLAY INDICATES LEFT BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING. REPLACED BULB AND MESSAGE DISAPPEARED FOR ONE DAY AND THEN REAPPEARED. REMOVED BULB AND BULB WAS OK. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND WHERE MERCEDES HAD A BRAKE LIGHT REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THIS REPAIR KIT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. I CONTACTED A LOCAL EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR SHOP WHO HAD THE REPAIR KIT IN STOCK GOING BACK TO 2010 MERCEDES HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT NEVER NOTIFIED ME OR FIXED THE PROBLEM WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR NORMAL SERVICE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MERCEDES.
NHTSA complaint #10615645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 157,000 milesCalera, AL
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE DOOR LOCKS ON ALL FOUR DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK CONTINUOUSLY. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT WHILE THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS THERE WAS NO RECALLS AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
NHTSA complaint #10483353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,567 milesDES Moines, WAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND WORKED AGAIN AFTER SOME PUMPING AND COASTING TO AVOID COLLISION. THE CAR THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10474364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesDunwoody, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER CALLED TWO DEALERSHIPS AND WAS GIVEN A PRICE OF $4,000 TO $5,000. THE CONSUMER FINALLY HAD THE KEY, COMPUTER AND OTHER PARTS REPLACED BY A LOCKSMITH FOR $1,400. THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITION AND TWO MIRROR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/11/12
NHTSA complaint #10458322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesDunwoody, GA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER CALLED TWO DEALERSHIPS AND WAS GIVEN A PRICE OF $4,000 TO $5,000. THE CONSUMER FINALLY HAD THE KEY, COMPUTER AND OTHER PARTS REPLACED BY A LOCKSMITH FOR $1,400. THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITION AND TWO MIRROR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/11/12
NHTSA complaint #10458322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesDunwoody, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER CALLED TWO DEALERSHIPS AND WAS GIVEN A PRICE OF $4,000 TO $5,000. THE CONSUMER FINALLY HAD THE KEY, COMPUTER AND OTHER PARTS REPLACED BY A LOCKSMITH FOR $1,400. THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITION AND TWO MIRROR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/11/12
NHTSA complaint #10458322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesDunwoody, GA
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER CALLED TWO DEALERSHIPS AND WAS GIVEN A PRICE OF $4,000 TO $5,000. THE CONSUMER FINALLY HAD THE KEY, COMPUTER AND OTHER PARTS REPLACED BY A LOCKSMITH FOR $1,400. THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITION AND TWO MIRROR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/11/12
NHTSA complaint #10458322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesPark City, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR FAILS TO START. WE HAD THIS CAR TOWED TO A DEALER 40 MILES AWAY FROM OUR DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL IN MI. NEEDS NEW KEY SYSTEM AS CHIP NOT RECOGNIZED AND IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE RE-KEYED. 8 KEYS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THIS CAR,(WE BOUGHT IT USED). WE ONLY RECEIVED 1 WITH OUR PURCHASE! EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS A KEY HAS TO BE CHANGED. COST ESTIMATED AT $4000. WE SEE THIS AS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW, NOT A SECURITY BENEFIT. ESPECIALLLY SINCE THEIR KEYS JUST QUIT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10390550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,843 milesPortland, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLAMPS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT OCCURS ON A NIGHTLY BASIS. OTHER CARS CANNOT SEE ME. ALMOST HIT SOMEONE CROSSING THE STREET BEFORE I NOTICED THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. SOMETIMES CYCLING THE LIGHTS ON AN OFF TEMPORARILY FIXES THE PROBLEM. OTHER TIMES I DRIVE WITH MY FOGLAMPS ON. I'VE CHECKED THE FUSE AND WILL BE TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. PREVIOUSLY, IN 2006 THE HEADLAMPS WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE DEALER FIXED THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10248088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesST. Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON MY MERCEDES ML320, 1998 THE KEY REFUSE TO START THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD AT PLAZA MOTORS IN ST,. LOUIS MO. THAT THE CAR DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY ANY MORE. UPON MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT IT IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ML320 SERIES WHICH IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER ESPECIALLY THE EARLIER ONCE 1998-2000 AND IT WILL CAUSE $6700.00 TO FIX. I WILL APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION, IT'S SO COMMON THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SELLING THEIR CARS BECAUSE OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10236339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,162 milesCarlsbad, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
REPLACEMENT OF 10 FULL SENDER AND FUEL GAUGE RELATED EQUIPMENT PARTS ON 1998 MB ML320, REPLACEMENT OF TRANSFER CASE.
NHTSA complaint #10226973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,945 milesCarlsbad, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
FAILURE OF TRANSFER CASE FIRST DETECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10226974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,900 milesEagan, MNFire1 injured
SEAT BELTS
FAILURE OF FRONT DRIVER'S SEATBELT ASSEMBLY; A GUNSHOT TYPE NOISE AND SMOKE OCCURRED COMING OUT OF THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR AREA; SEATBELT RETRACTOR BROKE CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO KEEP RETRACTING TIGHTENING ON PERSON AND THE RELEASE ON THE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE CAUSING INJURY; THE EVENT OCCURRED WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF TURNING ON CAR IN PARKED POSITION AND AS SOON AS SEATBELT WAS PUT IN THE BUCKLE.
NHTSA complaint #10226038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,433 milesReno, NV1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I PUT MY SEAT BELT (S/B) ON AND STARTED THE IGNITION. A LOUD BANG, I WAS JERKED BACK INTO MY SEAT BY THE S/B AND WAS TRAPPED. WHITE SMOKE ESCAPED WHERE THE S/B COMES OUT OF THE FRAME. THE SRS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, UNBUCKLED THE S/B, WHICH DIDN'T RETRACT BACK INTO THE FEED, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO DISSIPATE. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, PUT MY S/B ON, WHICH WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT ADJUST. I CALLED MB DEALERSHIP TO REPORT INCID AND MAKE APT FOR CAR TO BE CHKD. 8-30-07 I BROUGHT CAR INTO MB OF RENO, NV. MB SAID NEED TO ORDER PARTS, BRING BACK ONCE PARTS IN. THE OTHER SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ANOTHER CUST RECENTLY, BUT NEVER HEARD OF ANOTHER OCCURRENCE. I ASKED MY SERVICE ADVISOR, JOSEPH CASTLEBERRY, TO INVEST PROBLEM, LET ME KNOW. HE WOULD GET BACK TO ME. I PICKED UP THE CAR AFTER REPAIRS, JOE DIDN'T KNOW WHY MALFUNCTION OCCURRED, BUT COST WAS $1079.82. I TOLD HIM THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WANTED THIS INVESTIGATED. HE SAID IT WAS A FLUKE INCIDENT, AND I STRESSED, I WANTED ANSWERS. MB OF RENO INV COPY READS AS ?INSPECT FOR COMPLAINT, FOUND THE DRIVERS ETR HAS GONE OFF WITHOUT CAUSE. PREPARE AND PERFORM DTC QUICK TEST, FOUND ONLY CODE FOR DRIVERS ETR, CHECK MB HIST OF COMPLAINT, AS PER HIST REC THEY REPLACED BOTH THE SRS CONTROL MODULES AND THE ETR, RECOMMEND THAT BOTH THE SRS CONTROL UNIT AND THE ETR BE REPLACED AS PER TAC HISTORY OF COMPLAINT, R&R LEFT SIDE B PILLAR PANELING, REPLACED DRIVERS S/B, R&R SENSOR CONSOLE, REPLACED SRS CONTROL UNIT, CHECK ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR SHORTS, WIRING IS OK AND INTACT, PERFORMED VERSION CODING OF SRS CONTROL UNIT, CLEARED ALL CODES AND RETEST, RETEST OK?. ON 9-17-07 BEN FROM MB OF NA SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. COPY OF THE INVOICE AVAIL UPON REQ. VEH: 98 MER ML320 MIL:97508
NHTSA complaint #10203560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,433 milesReno, NV1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
I PUT MY SEAT BELT (S/B) ON AND STARTED THE IGNITION. A LOUD BANG, I WAS JERKED BACK INTO MY SEAT BY THE S/B AND WAS TRAPPED. WHITE SMOKE ESCAPED WHERE THE S/B COMES OUT OF THE FRAME. THE SRS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, UNBUCKLED THE S/B, WHICH DIDN'T RETRACT BACK INTO THE FEED, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO DISSIPATE. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, PUT MY S/B ON, WHICH WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT ADJUST. I CALLED MB DEALERSHIP TO REPORT INCID AND MAKE APT FOR CAR TO BE CHKD. 8-30-07 I BROUGHT CAR INTO MB OF RENO, NV. MB SAID NEED TO ORDER PARTS, BRING BACK ONCE PARTS IN. THE OTHER SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ANOTHER CUST RECENTLY, BUT NEVER HEARD OF ANOTHER OCCURRENCE. I ASKED MY SERVICE ADVISOR, JOSEPH CASTLEBERRY, TO INVEST PROBLEM, LET ME KNOW. HE WOULD GET BACK TO ME. I PICKED UP THE CAR AFTER REPAIRS, JOE DIDN'T KNOW WHY MALFUNCTION OCCURRED, BUT COST WAS $1079.82. I TOLD HIM THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WANTED THIS INVESTIGATED. HE SAID IT WAS A FLUKE INCIDENT, AND I STRESSED, I WANTED ANSWERS. MB OF RENO INV COPY READS AS ?INSPECT FOR COMPLAINT, FOUND THE DRIVERS ETR HAS GONE OFF WITHOUT CAUSE. PREPARE AND PERFORM DTC QUICK TEST, FOUND ONLY CODE FOR DRIVERS ETR, CHECK MB HIST OF COMPLAINT, AS PER HIST REC THEY REPLACED BOTH THE SRS CONTROL MODULES AND THE ETR, RECOMMEND THAT BOTH THE SRS CONTROL UNIT AND THE ETR BE REPLACED AS PER TAC HISTORY OF COMPLAINT, R&R LEFT SIDE B PILLAR PANELING, REPLACED DRIVERS S/B, R&R SENSOR CONSOLE, REPLACED SRS CONTROL UNIT, CHECK ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR SHORTS, WIRING IS OK AND INTACT, PERFORMED VERSION CODING OF SRS CONTROL UNIT, CLEARED ALL CODES AND RETEST, RETEST OK?. ON 9-17-07 BEN FROM MB OF NA SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. COPY OF THE INVOICE AVAIL UPON REQ. VEH: 98 MER ML320 MIL:97508
NHTSA complaint #10203560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.