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1999 Mercedes Benz ML320

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most ML320 years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

72 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

35 reports
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72,000 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. TH…

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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 CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 10/31/11 *BF UPDATED 12/08/11

NHTSA ODI #10428967

87,000 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 TO THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT THE …

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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 TO THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT THE CAPABILITY TO RESTART THE CAR. SUCCESSIVE TRIES TO START THE CAR FAILED. ONLY AFTER 5 MINUTES THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START AND BE PULLED OVER TO A SAFE PLACE. TRIED A 2ND TIME TO DRIVE IT HOME AND IT LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN WITHOUT IT BEING ABLE TO RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TOW TRUCK HOME THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267275

139,000 miles · Apr 23, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURR…

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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 VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ODI #10225464

129,926 miles · Jan 4, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

TL * - THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 03V121000. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO MERCEDEZ BENZ OF PALM BEACH JANUARY 3, 2007, AND WAS DENIED ARECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE REPAIRS TO BE DONE UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE SAME RECALL LAST YEAR AND CHOSE NOT TO ADDRESS IT AT THAT TIME. THE VE…

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TL * - THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 03V121000. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO MERCEDEZ BENZ OF PALM BEACH JANUARY 3, 2007, AND WAS DENIED ARECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE REPAIRS TO BE DONE UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE SAME RECALL LAST YEAR AND CHOSE NOT TO ADDRESS IT AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES , AND WAS NOW BEING DENIED REPAIR SERVICE. *AK THE COSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATEDTHERE WAS NOTHING WROG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER SATED WHILE DRIVING, THE THE EXHAUST BROKE IN HALF AT THE WELD. UPDATED 01/22/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177747

78,446 miles · Sep 7, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I AND MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND WERE ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY ON AUG 14,2006, PAUSED TO OPEN MY GARAGE DOOR FROM THE CAR AND I WAS SLOWLY MOVING IN. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR WENT OUT OF MY CONTROL IN A FLASH THAT I DID NOT EVEN HAVE TIME TO REACT. IT WENT AND HIT OUR OTHER PARKED CAR IN THE GARAGE WITH SUCH A HUGE FORCE THAT …

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I AND MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND WERE ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY ON AUG 14,2006, PAUSED TO OPEN MY GARAGE DOOR FROM THE CAR AND I WAS SLOWLY MOVING IN. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR WENT OUT OF MY CONTROL IN A FLASH THAT I DID NOT EVEN HAVE TIME TO REACT. IT WENT AND HIT OUR OTHER PARKED CAR IN THE GARAGE WITH SUCH A HUGE FORCE THAT THE SECOND CAR LITERALLY WENT AND TORE THE BEDROOM WALL. OUR SECOND CAR IS BADLY DAMAGED ON THE FRONT, BACK AND ONE SIDE (SCRAPING A POLE IN GARAGE) AND WALL NEEDS FIXING TOO. I TRULY SUSPECT THERE IS SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEM FOR THE SUDDEN/UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT LED TO THIS UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR. SO FAR WE FOUND THE IGNITION GOT JAMMED (COULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN), OTHER THAN THE BUMPER/FRONT DAMAGES. CAR IS STILL IN THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS, ONCE FINISHED IT WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS AND CHECK UP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167609

72,000 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CRACKED ALONG THE WELD THAT ATTACHES TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED DUE TO A LACK OF PARTS. THERE WAS A TEMPORARY WELD PERFORMED, BUT IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10141959

72,460 miles · Aug 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT E OIL FILTER HOUSING FAILED. WHEN THE FILTER HOUSING FAILED THE OIL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE MANIFOLD. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED ON 7-30-2005. THE OIL FILTER ON FAILED ON AUGUST 1, 2005. THE OIL FILTER HAD BEEN TIGHTENED AND CHECKED. THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY AFTER THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND …

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT E OIL FILTER HOUSING FAILED. WHEN THE FILTER HOUSING FAILED THE OIL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE MANIFOLD. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED ON 7-30-2005. THE OIL FILTER ON FAILED ON AUGUST 1, 2005. THE OIL FILTER HAD BEEN TIGHTENED AND CHECKED. THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY AFTER THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE OWNER CHANGED THE OIL HIMSELF. THE OIL FILTER TAKES 8 ' QUARTS OF OIL. CONSUMER HA NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. INSTEAD, HE PURCHASED AN OIL FILTER,A PLASTIC HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE FILTER) AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM HIMSELF. CONSUMER TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. TCONSUMER HA NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER SAID THAT THE OIL FILTER DESIGN CHANGED SINCE THE OIL WAS CHANGED LAST, AND THIS NEW DESIGN WAS SUPPOSE TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT.*AKI

NHTSA ODI #10131231

73,000 miles · Nov 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAILURE OF HARMONIC BALANCER, AN EVENT THAT HAS OCCURRED ON MANY MERCEDES WITH THIS DESIGN FOR THE HARMONIC BALANCER. NEW COVER, OIL PAN. AND BALANCER NEEDED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100735

87,000 miles · Sep 23, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE CRANKSHFT PULLEY HAS FAILED MAKING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. THE PULLEY AND THE OIL PAN WERE REPLACED AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS KIND OF PREMATURE FAILURES HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS MODEL. THE DEALER WILL NOT PICK UP THE FULL COST FOR REPA…

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WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE CRANKSHFT PULLEY HAS FAILED MAKING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. THE PULLEY AND THE OIL PAN WERE REPLACED AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS KIND OF PREMATURE FAILURES HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS MODEL. THE DEALER WILL NOT PICK UP THE FULL COST FOR REPAIRS SINCE THE CAR HAD 85000 MILES. I THINK MB REALIZES THAT THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF FAILURES BUT WILL NOT DO A RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10093066

93,000 miles · Sep 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

1999 MERCEDES ML320 HARMONIC BALANCER. I WAS AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION BEING PERFORMED AND HAD MERCEDES CHECK THE BALANCER IN JANUARY. THEY SAID IT'S FINE. ON 9/6/04, IT FAILED CAUSING $1500 IN DAMAGE. I WAS NOT INJURED BECAUSE I KNEW NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER FAILURE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL THE HARMONIC BALANCER. …

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1999 MERCEDES ML320 HARMONIC BALANCER. I WAS AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION BEING PERFORMED AND HAD MERCEDES CHECK THE BALANCER IN JANUARY. THEY SAID IT'S FINE. ON 9/6/04, IT FAILED CAUSING $1500 IN DAMAGE. I WAS NOT INJURED BECAUSE I KNEW NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER FAILURE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL THE HARMONIC BALANCER. IT IS FAILING ON MOST VEHICLES AND CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090612

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

2

PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure

Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

PE03006 · Power Steering Hose Assembly Leakage

Opened Feb 13, 2003 · Closed Apr 4, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.