2002 Mercedes Benz Ml500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (6) · Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Ml500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (59)
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 2026-03-09 · 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 59 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-12-08 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“motor vehicle accident head on and the airbags did not deploy.…”
2021-12-10 · Service Brakes“there is a serious defect in the yaw rate sensors in these mercedes ml w163's. thank god i was driving down a secluded road and nobody was behind me, but my vehicles brakes locked up, on their own, even with my foot on the accelerator pedal, with no warning lights or warning signals. i have no error codes, and my vehicle is well maintained. there…”
2019-08-27 · Engine · 201,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz ml500. while driving 45 mph, the vehicle accelerated and the low range warning indicator illuminated. the contact pulled the vehicle over and turned off the engine. once restarted, the vehicle operated normally. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the key fob was updated and an oil change…”
2016-04-11 · Steering · 10,070 mi“house from power steering pomp is leaking , during drive i loose power steering fluid and almost i hit cat from another line.…”
2014-08-11 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 150,000 mi“this was the 3rd time it happened, this time on the freeway in california and lasted until the car came to a stop. the car went into break mode on its own, the car fishtailed and came to a stop before recovering. luckily the car behind me was able to stop, i heard breaks screeching, but no known crashes. i scared me to death as this could have i…”
2014-04-04 · Electrical System · 50,000 mi“i, 12 years ago was driving my ml 500 mercedes on us 23 between ann arbor, michigan and sylvania, in ohio. my car suddenly lost all power. i fortunately was able to swerve to the right and the car stopped. this occurred twice. i have since sold my car several years ago. i called my dealership in sylvania at the time, and they checked with mer…”
2013-03-19 · Steering · 169,700 mi“power steering fluid leaking in small drips when parked. hard to steer at times and makes loud noise. have concerns that steering may be affected and cause total loss of steering. *tr…”
2011-11-30 · Visibility · 97,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes ml500. while driving at night at any speed, the contact noticed an optical distortion on the rear view mirror which affected his visibility of the vehicles located in the rear. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician stated the rear view mirror had to be replaced. the tech…”
2010-12-06 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections · 100,726 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ml 500. the vehicle was repaired by an authorized dealer under the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number: 08v465000 (steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections). when receiving the vehicle from the authorized dealer, the contact began to notice power steering fluid leaking o…”
2010-12-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings“2002 mercedes benz ml 500. consumer writes regarding vehicle brake failure *tgw the consumer stated the brakes failed on the vehicle due to the brake lines leaking. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.