NHTSA vehicle safety data

2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 166 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320.

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2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 owner complaints

Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320, describing incidents dated April 26, 2000 to May 7, 2023.

Most-cited components

Steering 45 complaints
Service Brakes 33 complaints
Engine 29 complaints
Electrical System 20 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 16 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 16 complaints

Of the 166 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 166 complaints, owners report 16 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11521278 · Filed May 10, 2023
I was driving full freeway speed when the brake assist system suddenly engaged which slammed on my brakes immediately and sent me skidding all over the freeway trying to maintain control of the vehicle and not crash into anything. All the while the cars behind me had to veer out of the way. Several…
ODI #11515596 · Filed April 5, 2023
Hard braking suddenly activated without driver input, smoke coming from front wheels. YAW SENSOR malfunction indicated by OBD scanner (checked after incident)
ODI #11373106 · Filed November 5, 2020
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM THE AUCTION IN ALGONA NAMED WHITEY'S PUBLIC AUTO AUCTION AND THAT VERY DAY I HAD TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAK AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES TO LEAK. I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND STARTED TO…

Read all 166 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE10-050: Brake lamp switch failure.
Closed May 4, 2011
- Recall 11V-208
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-007: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Closed July 11, 2007
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-058: ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
Closed April 22, 2004
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-006: POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
Closed April 4, 2003
- Recall 03V-121

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

166 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320.

Service Brakes

ODI #11521278

Incident: May 7, 2023 · Filed: May 10, 2023

I was driving full freeway speed when the brake assist system suddenly engaged which slammed on my brakes immediately and sent me skidding all over the freeway trying to maintain control of the vehicle and not crash into anything. All the while the cars behind me had to veer out of the way. Several accidents were almost caused by this incident. This safety feature is now a safety hazard. This should never ever happen. This I'd comparable to an airbag suddenly deploying while driving. An absolutely terrifying experience. The bas fct light came on which is how I learned of the brake assist system. This problem is repeatable because it happened 2 more times as I had to get my vehicle home but luckily I didn't date take the freeway again. Problem just started 5/7/23 without any warning at all.

Service Brakes

ODI #11515596

Incident: December 1, 2022 · Filed: April 5, 2023

Hard braking suddenly activated without driver input, smoke coming from front wheels. YAW SENSOR malfunction indicated by OBD scanner (checked after incident)

Steering; Electrical System

ODI #11373106

Incident: September 23, 2020 · Filed: November 5, 2020

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM THE AUCTION IN ALGONA NAMED WHITEY'S PUBLIC AUTO AUCTION AND THAT VERY DAY I HAD TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAK AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES TO LEAK. I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND STARTED TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL.

Steering; Vehicle Speed Control; Wheels

ODI #11339320

Incident: July 11, 2020 · Filed: July 14, 2020

STEERING IS HARD TO TURN. OVER HEATS AND WILL NOT KEEP COOLINAT DOWN

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11337445

Incident: July 4, 2000 · Filed: July 4, 2020

THE METHOD IN WHICH A FUEL TANK IS FASTENED TO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS USES A STEEL STRUT TO SUPPORT A SERIES OF STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS. THE DISSIMILARITY IN METALS USED IN FASTENING THE HARDWARE OF BOTH COMBINED WITH EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS WILL CAUSE THE STRUT TO CORRODE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK TO DROP ONTO THE ROADWAY WITHOUT PRIOR SYMPTOMS OR WARNING. THE CORROSION AT THE CRITICAL FASTING POINTS IS NOT OBVIOUS WITH ROUTINE INSPECTION. WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM 1998 THROUGH 2005 STILL ON THE ROAD TODAY, OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.

Air Bags; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #11327057

Incident: June 2, 2020 · Filed: June 3, 2020

SRS. ETS. ABA LIGHTS ON. BUZZING. *TR

Steering; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11288070

1 injury

Incident: November 15, 2019 · Filed: December 10, 2019

AS I NOTICED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THEY ALL FOCUS IN THE POWER STEERING ISSUES, FUEL / OIL LEAKS AND LOSS, ESP OPTION , ELECTRICAL MAIL FUNCTIONS THAT RELATE WITH THE ECU, PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTER. ALL THESE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS SINCE ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT . I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN MY CAR AND IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AS THE CAR IS NOT IN SPEED MOTION UNLESS YOU USE STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL , THE ESP IS NOT WORKING AT ALL , THE SHIFTER IS NOT CHANGING TO DRIVE UNLESS YOU OVERRIDE IT AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO START IT AND THE FUEL ALONG WITH THE OIL IS LEAKING AND ALL THE FLUIDS ARE DISAPPEARING IN NO TIME . ALL THESE ARE SAFETY HAZARDS AND NOT JUST A SIMPLE PROBLEM . THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REPAIR FOR ALL OF THESE ISSUES ASAP FREE OF CHARGE FROM MERCEDES FOR THE OWNERS OF THE PARTICULAR DEFECTIVE VEHICLES . THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11207280

Incident: May 13, 2019 · Filed: May 13, 2019

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.

Steering

ODI #11154148

Incident: November 27, 2018 · Filed: November 27, 2018

MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT ALOT AND AS WELL LEAK ONTO THE GROUND I FIND IT VERY HARD TO STEER MY CAR AT TIMES . THE POWER STEERING FLUID DOESN'T LAST VERY LONG IT'S BEEN FIXED 1 AND THE PROBLEM PERSIST .

Steering

ODI #11114009

Incident: July 26, 2018 · Filed: July 26, 2018

DIFFICULT TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. USES LOT OF FORCE TO MOVE THE STELRING

Other Mercedes Benz ML320 model years

Check your 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz ML320 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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