2003 Mercedes Benz Ml320 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler (6) · Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Ml320 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (56)
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 56 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-01-05 · Steering · 79,500 mi“loss of power steering fluid, it appears to be from the hose connection to the radiator during driving and while stationery. this issue was previously recalled, i believe twice. dealer requested $125 diagnostic charge. mb usa informed in a phone conversation, that this problem was already fixed october 2008 under recall, and the warranty expired…”
2016-12-17 · Vehicle Speed Control · 187,000 mi“my wife drove the vehicle to work one day and when she was pulling out of the parking lot onto a busy street, the yellow triangle with exclamation point started to flash and engaged the brakes. my wife quickly pull over to the side of the street and made her way back into the parking lot while the brakes where engaging. my wife was unable to driv…”
2016-06-16 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz ml320. the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently and the rpms revved without warning. the vehicle was taken to a dealer multiple times, but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was not …”
2016-02-26 · Service Brakes · 160,000 mi“bas light turns on while driving on the freeway and the car shuts off on freeway while driving. the gas pedal didn't work so i pulled over. i feel like its a dangerous to drive and putting other driver in danger so i stopped driving it. there was a recall for 2000-2002 ml320 but my car is 2003 and its doing the same issues that the 2000-2002 ml320…”
2014-05-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 100,000 mi“while driving, went over bump in road, and truck immediately lost speed. pressure on gas pedal weakend. there was absolutely no acceleration. i pulled over after almost being hit, and turned vehicle off. restarted and pull over into autozone to have them hook it up to diagnostic reader. it came back with several codes, that all stated "throttl…”
2012-03-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 30,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz ml320. while driving approximately 40 mph, the brakes were engaged numerous times before there was a reduction in the speed. the contact smelled an unusual odor inside of the vehicle. in addition, on separate occasions a burning odor of brakes emitted throughout the vehicle while driving. the vehicle was ta…”
2010-08-22 · Suspension:rear · 25,000 mi“2003 ml 320 rolls back in drive. *tr…”
2009-02-13 · Steering · 90,000 mi“i had taken my mercedes ml320 in for recall work #2003040005 at motor works in hoffman estates il. for power steering pump recall and they wanted to charge me approx. $6,000.00 for this service which should be free. i've tried to contact mercedes and motor works with no response the clamps that connect the power steering hoses come off quite often…”
2008-02-07 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections · 100,000 mi“i have a 2003 mercedes ml 320 that has power steering fluid problems. this is due to a recall issued by mb for faulty hosing, piping and connections. i had loss of steering capability while driving which lead me to steer off the road during rainy conditions. *tr…”
2008-01-22 · Steering:rack And Pinion · 51,723 mi“car makes a "washing machine" type nose when the steering wheel is turned. mercedes dealer evaluated and found the steering gear box/rack & pinion is "worn" and should be replaced. although dealer recommended replacement of part they did add a lubricant to power steering fluid to "eliminate" the noise (which is still there presently). warranty …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.