IllustrationCAR WAS IN PARK AT THE TOP OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE TO STOP. THE CAR MAKER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT (AFTER A MONTH) WHO DETERMINED IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. (I AM AWAITING THEIR REPORT TO ME) CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. *JB
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all ML320 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
725–50K
2950–75K
1375–100K
12100–150K
6150K+
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
Power Train complaints
19 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATIC IN COLD WEATHER. *JB DURING THE FIRST 5-6 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR IN COLD WEATHER. ABLE TO SHIFT AFTER WARM START (ABOUT 5 MINUTES). *TT
CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER MERCEDES BENZ TRUCK, ONE BEING THAT THE TRUCK WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH CAUSES HER TIRES TO WEAR OUT FAST. SECOND ONE IS THAT THE DOOR LOCK REGULATOR DOES NOT WORK AND THE THIRD IS THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT FAILED AT 24,000 MILES CAUSING IT TO BECOME IMPOS…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER MERCEDES BENZ TRUCK, ONE BEING THAT THE TRUCK WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH CAUSES HER TIRES TO WEAR OUT FAST. SECOND ONE IS THAT THE DOOR LOCK REGULATOR DOES NOT WORK AND THE THIRD IS THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT FAILED AT 24,000 MILES CAUSING IT TO BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE TRUCK. SHE ALSO SAYS THAT THE TRUCK LEAKS POWER STEERING FLUID. TS
CAR WAS STOPPED PUT INTO PARK POSITION ON THE TRANSMISSION. CAR LURCHED FORWARD, CRASHED THRU GARAGE ADJOINING PORCH AND DECK AND ROLLED OFF DROPPING 10 FEET AND TURNING ON IT'S SIDE. DT
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING, VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 45 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A CHERRY TREE. UPON EXAMINATION GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS STILL IN PARK GEAR. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT *AK *SLC
TRUCK SHAKES, SHUDDERS AND MAKES THUNKING NOISE DURING EVEN MODESTLY SHARP LOW SPEED TURNS (IE PARKING, ETC) DUE TO BINDING OF DIFFERENTIALS/DRIVELINE OR BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS. COULD LEAD TO DRIVETRAIN OR BRAKE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE THOUGH…
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TRUCK SHAKES, SHUDDERS AND MAKES THUNKING NOISE DURING EVEN MODESTLY SHARP LOW SPEED TURNS (IE PARKING, ETC) DUE TO BINDING OF DIFFERENTIALS/DRIVELINE OR BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS. COULD LEAD TO DRIVETRAIN OR BRAKE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE THOUGH IT DIDN'T OCCUR EALIER DURING OWNERSHIP.
WHEN ON A HILL OR INCLINE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACK, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL. *AK
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE UPON TAKING OFF. DEALER IS NOT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED TRANSMISSION WILL LOSE POWER, USUALLY WHEN SHIFTING SPEED. *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
2PE03058 · 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.