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Mercedes-Benz ML500Years to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 108 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on record for the Mercedes-Benz ML500.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints108Top: SteeringSafety recalls32002–2011 model years

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

Best & worst years

Mercedes-Benz ML500 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 ML500 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2011Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2008Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2007Not rated–/1009 complaints · 2 recalls2006Not rated–/10037 complaints · 2 recalls2005Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/10018 complaints · 0 recalls2003Not rated–/10013 complaints · 0 recalls2002Not rated–/10027 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Mercedes-Benz ML500 problems

All model years combined: 108 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
Steering211
Electrical system206
Seats1412
Service brakes, hydraulic142
Power train100
Engine90
Vehicle speed control71
Service brakes62
Air bags62
12 other systems264
3 recalls

Mercedes-Benz ML500 recalls

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

3%Power assist: vacuum24V-298 · 2006–2008 · Apr 26, 2024 · 15,604 vehiclesDo not drive43%Power assist: vacuum22V-315 · 2006–2007 · May 9, 2022 · 350,294 vehiclesDo not drive–Control arm: upper arm01V-290 · 2002 · Sep 10, 2001 · 870 vehicles
4 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the ML500

  1. Brake lamp switch failure.PE10050 · 2002 · closed May 4, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-208
  2. BRAKE LINE CHAFEEA08009 · 2002 · closed Dec 16, 2009
    No recall
  3. SEAT BACK WARMER OVERHEATS/BURNSPE08030 · 2007 · closed Sep 9, 2008
    No recall
  4. BRAKE LINE RUPTUREPE08002 · 2002 · closed Apr 28, 2008
    No recall