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FaultScore report

2003 Mercedes Benz ML500 problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz ML500 with NHTSA between 2005 and 2019. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz ML500 All 2003 cars
C

FaultScore 42/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz ML500.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

111,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 34 vs 50 Severity 82 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 34
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz ML500. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 82
15.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Mercedes Benz ML500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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

What breaks on a 2003 Mercedes Benz ML500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 5 26.3%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

Seats 3 15.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 97,500 mi

Brakes 3 15.8%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

Steering 3 15.8%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

Electrical System 3 15.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 133,000 mi

Tires 1 5.3%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.3%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

75,000 – 99,999 miles 5 38.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 23.1%
150,000+ miles 5 38.5%

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 2005 peak 3 Jul 2019

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 133,000 miles Hollister, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10503789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Clackamas, OR Fire 1 injured

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AS HIS LEFT PANT LEG CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SMALL BURN TO THE LEG. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SPARKS AND A SMALL FLAME COMING THROUGH A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER AND WAS TREATED FOR THE SMALL BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #10436061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

NEW Haven, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED FOR OVER A YEAR DUE TO THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11233768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Mary, FL

ENGINE

ENGINE KEEPS GETTING OVER-HEATED EVEN AFTER A NEW ENGINE FAN HAS BEEN REPLACED. HOWEVER, AFTER ITS REPLACEMENT I TOOK IT TO TWO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP TO RE-INSPECT AND MAKE ADJUSTMENT TO THEIR INSTALLMENT OF THE FAN BUT IT KEEPS GETTING OVERHEATED. I ALSO HAD A NEW WATER COOLANT TANK INSTALLED BUT IT IS ALSO LEAKING OUT THE COOLANT AND SHOWING THE WARNING LIGHT. THESE EVENTS HAPPEN AFTER I TOP UP THE COOLANT TANK AND DRIVE AROUND 50 MILES, THEN THE OVERHEATING STARTS AND THE TANK STARTS BECOMING EMPTY.

NHTSA complaint #11072930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,650 miles Marina DEL REY, CA

STEERING

LOSS OF POWER STEERING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN BREAK OF IDLER ARM PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT SHREDDING OF BELT. PROBLEM IS THE PULLEY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED IN TWO, LEAVING 1/2 THE PULLEY AND SHREDDING THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED AT DRIVING SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MILEAGE AROUND 169,650 ON 2003 ML500. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE LANE NEAREST FREEWAY EXITS. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT. LUCKY IT WAS 'RUSH' HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW ON SURFACE STREETS. INCREDIBLE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO DIFFICULTY TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY GERMAN MECHANIC FAMILIAR WITH REPAIR OF MB ENGINES IN GERMANY.

NHTSA complaint #10960216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,650 miles Marina DEL REY, CA

ENGINE

LOSS OF POWER STEERING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN BREAK OF IDLER ARM PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT SHREDDING OF BELT. PROBLEM IS THE PULLEY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED IN TWO, LEAVING 1/2 THE PULLEY AND SHREDDING THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED AT DRIVING SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MILEAGE AROUND 169,650 ON 2003 ML500. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE LANE NEAREST FREEWAY EXITS. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT. LUCKY IT WAS 'RUSH' HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW ON SURFACE STREETS. INCREDIBLE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO DIFFICULTY TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY GERMAN MECHANIC FAMILIAR WITH REPAIR OF MB ENGINES IN GERMANY.

NHTSA complaint #10960216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

STEERING

TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10887829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10887829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10887829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,000 miles Jackson, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000...UPDATED 08/06/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TWO LINES FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD SEVERE PITTING AND CORROSION , AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 08/13/15*JB UPDATED 8/28/15*CN UPDATED 09/01/15*LJ UPDATED 09/08/15*JB UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 10/31/2017

NHTSA complaint #10730545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,000 miles Jackson, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000...UPDATED 08/06/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TWO LINES FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD SEVERE PITTING AND CORROSION , AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 08/13/15*JB UPDATED 8/28/15*CN UPDATED 09/01/15*LJ UPDATED 09/08/15*JB UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 10/31/2017

NHTSA complaint #10730545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Henrico, VA

SEATS

LAST TIME I USED THE HEATED SEATS, TURNED THEM ON THE WAR I ALWAYS HAVE, BUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY LEG FELT LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. ONE SPOT IN MY SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND WAS SMOKING. IMMEDIATELY I TURNED THE SEATS OFF AND HAVE NEVER USED THEM AGAIN. CALLED DEALER TO ASK IF THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT NO.

NHTSA complaint #10622602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Henrico, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING 45MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. TOWED TO CLOSEST GAS STATION, WHO PUT A COMPUTER ON IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. AFTER COMPLETELY COOLING IT WILL START AGAIN, BUT IN LESS THAN 10 MIN IT CUTS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10622600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Henrico, VA

ENGINE

DRIVING 45MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. TOWED TO CLOSEST GAS STATION, WHO PUT A COMPUTER ON IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. AFTER COMPLETELY COOLING IT WILL START AGAIN, BUT IN LESS THAN 10 MIN IT CUTS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10622600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 133,000 miles Hollister, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10503789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Abingdon, MD

ENGINE

NOTES TAKEN ON PHONE BY BOWMAN, ODI, NHTSA: VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AFTER IMPACT WITH IRREGULAR ROAD SURFACES CONDITION SUCH AS POTHOLE, TRANSVERSING A CHANGE ROAD GRADES / SURFACES SUCH AS SPEED BUMPS, ETAL. VEHICLE CAN BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AFTER SHUT-OFF. ONE INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE.

NHTSA complaint #10461541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Clackamas, OR Fire 1 injured

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AS HIS LEFT PANT LEG CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SMALL BURN TO THE LEG. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SPARKS AND A SMALL FLAME COMING THROUGH A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER AND WAS TREATED FOR THE SMALL BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #10436061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,317 miles Port Chester, NY

STEERING

I PAID MY DEALER FOR A REPAIR OF A COMPONENT THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. HOW DO I GET A REFUND OR CREDIT FOR THE EXPENSE. I HAVE ML 500 MERCEDES BENZ 2003. MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT THE WHITE PLAINS N.Y. DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10261377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leroy, IL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500 - HEATED SEAT BURNT UP - SMALL HOLE IN SEAT - IT WAS VERY, VERY HOT. 8JB

NHTSA complaint #10162681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sidney, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.*MR

NHTSA complaint #10124707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sidney, NY

TIRES

2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.*MR

NHTSA complaint #10124707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.