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Mercedes-Benz M ClassYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 86 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls on record for the Mercedes-Benz M Class.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints86Top: SteeringSafety recalls151998–2009 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Mercedes-Benz M Class years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the M Class median. Tap a year for its full report.

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2009Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall2008Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls2007Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls2006Not rated–/10014 complaints · 2 recalls2004Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2003Not rated–/10010 complaints · 3 recalls2002Not rated–/1005 complaints · 5 recalls2001Not rated–/1005 complaints · 4 recalls2000Not rated–/10025 complaints · 5 recalls1999Not rated–/10018 complaints · 4 recalls1998Not rated–/1005 complaints · 4 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Mercedes-Benz M Class problems

All model years combined: 86 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering220
Engine and engine cooling152
Electrical system144
Power train101
Service brakes, hydraulic80
Electronic stability control (ESC)80
Seats54
Fuel system, gasoline41
Structure40
12 other systems203
15 recalls

Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Vehicle speed control: cruise control11V-208 · 1999–2003 · Mar 31, 2011 · 136,751 vehicles–Exterior lighting: tail lights09V-076 · 2009 · Mar 10, 2009 · 16,130 vehicles–Steering: hydraulic power assist system08V-682 · 2008 · Dec 19, 2008 · 577 vehicles–Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections08V-465 · 1998–2004 · Sep 17, 2008 · 125,228 vehicles–Electrical system08V-303 · 2006–2008 · Jul 7, 2008 · 404 vehicles–Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal06V-495 · 2007 · Dec 29, 2006 · 1,570 vehicles–Steering: hydraulic power assist system05V-224 · 2006 · May 16, 2005 · 7,191 vehicles–Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections03V-121 · 1998–2003 · Mar 27, 2003 · 211,000 vehicles–Front: warning light/devices02V-203 · 2002 · Jul 26, 2002 · 3,603 vehicles–Tires: sidewall02V-058 · 2002 · Feb 13, 2002 · 172 vehicles–Electrical system: wiring01V-061 · 2001 · Feb 27, 2001 · 377 vehicles–Seat belts00V-352 · 2000 · Oct 30, 2000 · 16,246 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 15 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

5 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the M Class

  1. Brake lamp switch failure.PE10050 · 2000–2002 · closed May 4, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-208
  2. BRAKE LINE CHAFEEA08009 · 1999–2002 · closed Dec 16, 2009
    No recall
  3. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKRQ08002 · 1998–2003 · closed Sep 17, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-465
  4. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONPE07007 · 2000–2001 · closed Jul 11, 2007
    No recall
  5. ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILUREPE03058 · 1998–2000 · closed Apr 22, 2004
    No recall