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1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 125 owner complaints about the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year4% below the ML320 median · #4 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints12522 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage73kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 2, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 has problems

125 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
Engine and engine cooling351
Steering292
Power train195
Fuel system, gasoline110
Visibility70
Vehicle speed control73
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Service brakes50
Suspension50
11 other systems267

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

73kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 24 engine and engine cooling complaints. 83% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles20under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other ML320 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ML320 median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGEPE03006 · closed Apr 4, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-121
  2. ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILUREPE03058 · closed Apr 22, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What ML320 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE…
Complaint 10428967 · Oct 6, 2011 · 72,000 miles
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE CAR'S IDLE WENT TO ZERO. THIS HAPPENED HALF-WAY HOME. ITS A 30+ MILE DRIVE FROM WORK TO HOME. ESSENTIALLY THE CAR JUST QUIT OPERATING WHILE MERGING ON THE INTERSTATE. POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND THIS LEFT MY 8 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MERGING LANE…
Complaint 10267275 · Apr 29, 2009 · 87,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…
Complaint 10225464 · Apr 23, 2008 · 139,000 miles

Own a 1999 ML320?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.