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2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 136 owner complaints about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320, most often about the electronic stability control (esc). It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the ML320 median · #3 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints13623 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage109kElectronic stability control (ESC), median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 18, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 has problems

136 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
Electronic stability control (ESC)331
Service brakes260
Steering254
Service brakes, hydraulic192
Electrical system165
Vehicle speed control163
Air bags84
Fuel system, gasoline72
Seats42
17 other systems375

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

0 recalls

2001 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 electronic stability control (esc) problems start?

109kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 31 electronic stability control (esc) complaints. 35% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles11under 100k miles20100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 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. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONPE07007 · closed Jul 11, 2007
    No recall
  3. Brake lamp switch failure.PE10050 · closed May 4, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-208
In owners' words

What ML320 owners report

Recent electronic stability control (esc) complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AIR BAG OFF, PEDAL CONTROL SISTEM IS IN RECALL FROM MARCH 31 2011, SMOKE PASS BELONG TO NISSAN MENDOZA AUTO GROUP SOLD THIS CAR IN CA CAR IN RECALL DON'T PASS SMOKE, THEY SAID YES...PASS, PLEASE INVESTIGATION
Complaint 11317979 · Mar 14, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE CAR BRAKES COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES, IT HAPPENED FEW TIMES, THE CAR HAS TO COME TO STOP, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION
Complaint 11209613 · May 24, 2019 · 15 miles
THIS IS THE 4TH OR 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST TIME (JAN 2017) HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON DC. LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. BUT BEFORE DOING SO I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS DIRECTLY…
Complaint 11187418 · Mar 17, 2019 · 160,000 miles

Own a 2001 ML320?

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