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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

7 reports
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100,000 miles · Mar 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCERDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCERDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10449957

144,000 miles · Sep 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKES AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO A BOULDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRUISE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKES AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO A BOULDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #10424446

14,800 miles · Aug 23, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AGAIN, NEARLY CRASHING INTO HIS FRONT DOOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AGAIN, NEARLY CRASHING INTO HIS FRONT DOOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14,800.

NHTSA ODI #10200592

85,115 miles · Mar 15, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SECONDARY ROAD THE THROTTLE LOCKED, THERE WAS LOUD ENGINE NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DIDN'T WORK, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SECONDARY ROAD THE THROTTLE LOCKED, THERE WAS LOUD ENGINE NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DIDN'T WORK, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE BUSHING FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WAS PRESENT TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NOTES LISTED PER THE INVESTIGATION, THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHARE THE DETAILS WITH THE CONTACT AND THAT THE CASE WAS CLOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 85115. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10185182

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

64,000 miles · Aug 22, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

1.SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. MAKING RIGHT TURN AT @ 5 M.P.H. IN PARKING LOT. MOMENTARY PAUSE IN ENGINE POWER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY UNASSISTED ACCELERATION. 2. IMPACT PARKED CAR AND CONCRETE MEDIAN "CURB". NO INJURIES. DAMAGE LEFT DRIVER SIDE FENDER AND BUMPER OF ML 320. DAMAGE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE OF OTH…

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1.SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. MAKING RIGHT TURN AT @ 5 M.P.H. IN PARKING LOT. MOMENTARY PAUSE IN ENGINE POWER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY UNASSISTED ACCELERATION. 2. IMPACT PARKED CAR AND CONCRETE MEDIAN "CURB". NO INJURIES. DAMAGE LEFT DRIVER SIDE FENDER AND BUMPER OF ML 320. DAMAGE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE OF OTHER CAR'S FENDER AND BUMPER. 3. TOWED CAR BY VALLEY TOWING TO SCHMACHER EUROPEAN IN SCOTTSDALE AZ. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10088341

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL STALK IS TOO LONG, MAKING ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION OF CRUISE CONTROL LIKELY WHEN ACTIVATING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. HITTING THE CC STALK WHEN MAKING A RIGHR TURN ACTIVATES THE "ACCEL" PORTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE IS NO VISUAL INDICATION (DASH LAMP, ETC.) THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.

NHTSA ODI #702794

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.