133 of the
1,087 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz ML320
are about the engine —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
OUR VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE INTERSTATE WHEN WE STARTED TO SMELL AN ODD SMELL. WE PULLED INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHERE WE STARTED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL DRIVEWAY, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED 911 AND HOTEL STAFF TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT IT CONTINUED TO GROW. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED.
NHTSA complaint #11308022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ECM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT CONTROLLING FUEL INJECTION AND GIVING RANDOM MISFIRE ON CYLINDERS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON . CODES 0300, 0302,0303,0304,0305,0306.
NHTSA complaint #11301012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ONGOING ISSUE THAT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE. VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DIE WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, WITHOUT WARNING, AND TAKE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES TO RESTART. IGNITION WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND NOT START. VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ONE INSTANCE WHERE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED WHILE APPROACHING STOP LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11207280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A NEW ALTERNATOR; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO REPLACED, BUT THE ENGINE STILL TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH PRIME TIME NISSAN OF SCHERERVILLE (1301 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, SCHERERVILLE, IN 46375) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11102413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS MERGING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, WHITE AND GRAY WAS SEEN UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT POINTED OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF ANNAPOLIS, 324 6TH ST. ANNAPOLIS, MD 21403, (888) 261-7620) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RUPTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT 'THE VEHICLE WAS DONE'. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 224,000.
NHTSA complaint #11091228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS VISUALLY INSPECTED AND DOCUMENTED THAT RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10959429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS VISUALLY INSPECTED AND DOCUMENTED THAT RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10959429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB, STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING WHINING NOISES AND HARDER TO TURN. I CONTINUED ON CITY STREETS THEN TO A FREEWAY WHERE MY CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION OPENED THE HOOD AND COULD SEE FLUID ALL OVER RIGHT LOWER DRIVER SIDE. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM A HOSE BY THE POWER STEERING CAP AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR. UNDER THE CAR SAME SPOT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE I COULD SEE POWER STEERING AND RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING FROM THAT AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10966233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION AND THAT THE CONTACT MAY REPLACE THE PART WITH AN AFTERMARKET CATALYTIC CONVERTER; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT PASS AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE PART WITH AN OEM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10957858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10930296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL UNIT, HEAT ELEMENT AND DOOR LOCK FAILED. UPDATED 05/07/15
NHTSA complaint #10683919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL UNIT, HEAT ELEMENT AND DOOR LOCK FAILED. UPDATED 05/07/15
NHTSA complaint #10683919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A SEAL FOR THE ENGINE OIL COOLER FAILED. THE COOLER LEAKED OIL ONTO THE UNDER-ENGINE PAN AND WAS NOT DETECTED AS A LEAK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HAD THE COOLER FAILED COMPLETELY IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC. THE SEAL FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BUT SHOULD NOT OCCUR UNDER NORMAL USE, WHICH IS HOW THIS VEHICLE IS USED.
NHTSA complaint #10683293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING WITH CODE #20BE1B. REPAIR INDICATES NEED OF DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) HEATER REPAIR KIT. DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM IS PART OF EMISSIONS SYSTEM. MB DEALERSHIP SAYS NO WARRANTY FOR REPAIR. INTERNET RESEARCH WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH DEF SYSTEM AROUND 50,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10672030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ML320 BLUETEC, RANDOMLY LOSES POWER. THE POWER WILL BE RESTORED ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 7 TIMES FOR REPAIR OF THIS ONE ISSUE, INCLUDING TWICE IN A STATE WITH LIMITED POWER. DEALER HAS DONE MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES, TURBO REPLACEMENT, EXHAUST VALVES REPLACEMENT AND THE ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT. ON ONE OF THE LAST OCCASIONS THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR LOST POWER WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ON TO THE HWY. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN ME BEING REAR ENDED BY A BIG RIG. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE I WAS REAR ENDED. THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECTIFIED. AS OF 02/17/2014 THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10565170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS CAR SHOULD QUALIFY AS A LEMON. WE SPENT OVER $65K ON IT NEW IN JANUARY OF 2009 AND IT HAS EASILY COSTS US $65K TO KEEP IT RUNNING SINCE. SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT BREAKS ON IT EVERY 60 DAYS SINCE OWNING IT. THE TURBO WENT OUT MOST RECENTLY AFTER A BAD OIL SEAL LET OIL INTO IT. $6500! THE CAR MAY HAVE SADLY BEEN CURSED SINCE DAY ONE. OUR SALES PERSON AT MERCEDES BENZ OF SF DIED RIGHT AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. THINGS STARTED TO BREAK IMMEDIATELY AFTER. PEOPLE RAN INTO IT, ETC. IT HAS BEEN THE WORST CAR OWNER EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10561052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.