Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 11 of 30 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
30 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999
Child Seat
MERCEDES BENZ BABY SMART FEATURE ALLOWS YOU TO PURCHASE THERE SPECIALIZED FRONT-FACING INFANT SEAT THAT WILL DISABLE THE AIRBAGS.......THEY CLAIM THAT THIS SEAT IS SAFE BUT I DONT' FEEL COMFORTABLE USING IT GIVEN YOUR RECOMENDATION (ALONG WITH 2 MERCEDES BENZ EMPLYEES THAT I SPOKE WITH). I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF MERCEDS IS RE…
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MERCEDES BENZ BABY SMART FEATURE ALLOWS YOU TO PURCHASE THERE SPECIALIZED FRONT-FACING INFANT SEAT THAT WILL DISABLE THE AIRBAGS.......THEY CLAIM THAT THIS SEAT IS SAFE BUT I DONT' FEEL COMFORTABLE USING IT GIVEN YOUR RECOMENDATION (ALONG WITH 2 MERCEDES BENZ EMPLYEES THAT I SPOKE WITH). I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF MERCEDS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING AN ALTERNATE SOLUTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #713843
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, AirInjury
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED THEN DOWNSHIFTED (1ST) WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES ENGAGED. CAR CAME TO VIOLENT HALT , THEN CAR AND PASSENGERS WERE LURCHED BACK & FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT, RPMS ERRATIC UNTIL KEY REMOVED. FREEWAY INCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITIES. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, MFG DENIED SIMILAR CLAIMS,…
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TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED THEN DOWNSHIFTED (1ST) WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES ENGAGED. CAR CAME TO VIOLENT HALT , THEN CAR AND PASSENGERS WERE LURCHED BACK & FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT, RPMS ERRATIC UNTIL KEY REMOVED. FREEWAY INCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITIES. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, MFG DENIED SIMILAR CLAIMS, SEE NHTSA ITEM # SB605899. TRAUMA OF EVENT HAS RESULTED IN INABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE (CONCERN FOR SAFETY AND FEAR OF REOCCURANCE).
NHTSA ODI #713182
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20MPH AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN, AND THREW THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ABS BRAKES SYTEM WERE SUPPOSE TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847912
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN VEHICLE HITS BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, INFORMING OWNER TO NOT PUT ANY KEYS IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS SUBJECT. *YC
NHTSA ODI #843257
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1999
Seat Belts
THER IS NO PLACE FOR A TODLER ATTACHMENT AND DEALER WILL NOT ATACH ONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #846302
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1999
Seat Belts
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR A TODLER ATTACHMENT, AND DEALER WILL NOT ATTACH ONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #846301
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 1999
Air Bags
AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IS EXPOSED AND DISTORTED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & SERVICE MANAGER HIT AIR BAG COVER & CLOSED IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #842018
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
VEHCLE RECEIVES 0 FUEL PRESSURE DUE TO A FAILED FUEL PUMP. ALSO, THE STARTER RELAY INTERMITTENTLY MISREADS THE KEY CODE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838856
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1999
Electrical System
REF: OWNERS MANUAL, TRAILER TOWING PGS 96-99. BENZ REFUSES TO HELP RESOLVE PROBLEM! FACTORY WIRING HAS PROVIDED +12V (HOT) TO THE BRAKE CONTROLLER WIRE WHEN EVER BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (ORANGE BRAKE SIGNAL WIRE PG98). CONVENTIONAL (AFTER MARKET BRAKE CONTROLLERS WORK BY MODULATING THIS LINE VOLTAGE - THIS IS WHY I CANNOT CONNE…
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REF: OWNERS MANUAL, TRAILER TOWING PGS 96-99. BENZ REFUSES TO HELP RESOLVE PROBLEM! FACTORY WIRING HAS PROVIDED +12V (HOT) TO THE BRAKE CONTROLLER WIRE WHEN EVER BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (ORANGE BRAKE SIGNAL WIRE PG98). CONVENTIONAL (AFTER MARKET BRAKE CONTROLLERS WORK BY MODULATING THIS LINE VOLTAGE - THIS IS WHY I CANNOT CONNECT A BRAKE CONTROLLER. THE VEHICLE IS WIRED WRONG. IF AN OWNER OF A ML320 PLUGS A TRAILER WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES TO THE FACTORY INSTALLED HARNESS PLUG - THE TRAILER BRAKES OVERHEAT RAPIDLY. I HAVE TRIED REPEATEDLY TO GET BENZ TO INVESTIGATE - THEY SAY OWNER'S PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP!- DON'T LET SOME INNOCENT FAMILY LOOSE CONTROLL OF THEIR BOAT OR CAMPER BECAUSE BENZ REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE THEIR WIRING ERROR!
NHTSA ODI #706072
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
MODEL ML320 THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK ON THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. THE CRUISE CONTROL & TURN SIGNAL STALKS ARE OF EQUAL LENGTH. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, AND ENGAGING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, IT IS LIKELY TO ALSO GRAZE THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, WHICH ENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND SETS SPEED. …
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MODEL ML320 THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK ON THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. THE CRUISE CONTROL & TURN SIGNAL STALKS ARE OF EQUAL LENGTH. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, AND ENGAGING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, IT IS LIKELY TO ALSO GRAZE THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, WHICH ENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND SETS SPEED. THIS IS ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM AT NIGHT, AS THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK IS NOT LIGHTED. ALL OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES CURRENTLY PRODUCED HAVE A CRUISE CONTROL STALK THAT IS SHORTER THEN THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. THE ML320 IS THE EXCEPTION. VERY DANGEROUS, AND VERY UNNERVING WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATES WHEN TURING RIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #700900
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 Mercedes Benz 320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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