2002 Mercedes Benz Ml320 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (14) · Vehicle Speed Control (10) · Service Brakes (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Ml320 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
65 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (55)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Exterior Lighting 2026-02-24 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the la
Showing the 6 most recent of 55 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-05-03 · Wheels · 198,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz ml320. the contact stated while driving at approximately 25 mph, the driver’s side front wheel independently braked. the contact stated he had not depressed the brake pedal but heard an abnormal sound from the tire screeching as the wheel had stopped rolling. the contact stated that the esp traction warning lig…”
2022-04-30 · Service Brakes“the car brakes suddenly by itself just after the esb/abs lights come on along with an exclamation point (!). this has happened randomly at least 4 times since we purchased the car. once at high speeds on the highway. it appears this problem is common with other owners of mercedes 2001-2002 ml's. according to the forums below, the problem seems to b…”
2020-01-11 · Wheels · 203,000 mi“fuse box some has power some not. front left wheel making this noise and stops after 25 miles per hour radio volume low when ignition key is on position 3 when key it's in the position 2 laud volume when key is not in i can turn on the stereo…”
2019-01-08 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“front end collision - airbags failed to deploy.…”
2018-09-08 · Wheels · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“yes this [xxx] coming to you to let you know that i was and a car accident i was struck by and vehicle made by oldsmobile year 1998 plate no. state [xxx] i was on my way home from down town federal court i was riding down [xxx] crash date 08/21/2018. i was at the red light i also had my hazard lights on also now i was sitting at the red light wait…”
2018-06-19 · Vehicle Speed Control“"takats recall" 1st issue i noticed is when i gave someone a jump off a dead car battery. as i was driven i noticed my car battery light came on meaning my battery was decreasing power and it did i was on my way home driven i noticed my car losing power in the car shut completely off so i pulled to the side and i called someone to give me a jump th…”
2018-06-18 · Engine“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 sti…”
2017-12-31 · Service Brakes · 106,500 mi“i was driving on a busy intersection in my 2002 mercedes benz ml320 when driving the yellow triangle in the speedometer starts to flash and all the breaks lock up, this is followed by a stall, thankfully i was able to pull off to the side of the road without being hit. after doing some research i discovered that many mercedes ml320 owners were havi…”
2017-06-20 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ml320. the contact stated that the bas and esp warning indicators illuminated. in addition, the contact experienced extreme difficulty turning left and right and had to restart the vehicle several times due to the failures. the unknown dealer was notified of the failure. the manufacturer was also notified. …”
2017-03-16 · Steering · 200,000 mi“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 rig…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.