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2003 Mercedes Benz ML320

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mercedes Benz ML320 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 28.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
22Owner complaints

Model-year median: 28

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2003 Mercedes Benz ML320

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 22 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Seats: 6 reports
  • Steering: 6 reports
  • Vehicle Speed Control: 4 reports
  • Electrical System: 2 reports
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc): 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    166
    2000    136
    2001    88
    2002    22
    2003    5
    2005    1
    2006
    Compare all ML320 years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Seats
    6    Steering
    6    Vehicle Speed Control
    4    Electrical System
    2    Electronic Stability Control (esc)
    2
    All reported categories
    Power Train
    2    Service Brakes
    2    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    2    Air Bags
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Fuel/propulsion System
    1    Suspension
    1

    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: 15 of 22 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.

    • Seats. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Vehicle Speed Control. 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.

    1 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

    Steering complaints

    6 reports
    Clear category filter
    79,500 miles · Jan 5, 2018
    Steering

    LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID, IT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE HOSE CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONERY. THIS ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED, I BELIEVE TWICE. DEALER REQUESTED $125 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. MB USA INFORMED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION, THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED OCTOBER 2008 UNDER RECALL, AND …

    Read full complaint

    LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID, IT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE HOSE CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONERY. THIS ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED, I BELIEVE TWICE. DEALER REQUESTED $125 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. MB USA INFORMED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION, THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED OCTOBER 2008 UNDER RECALL, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I SHOULD FIX ON MY OWN COST.

    NHTSA ODI #11060855

    90,000 miles · Feb 13, 2009
    Steering

    I HAD TAKEN MY MERCEDES ML320 IN FOR RECALL WORK #2003040005 AT MOTOR WORKS IN HOFFMAN ESTATES IL. FOR POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX. $6,000.00 FOR THIS SERVICE WHICH SHOULD BE FREE. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES AND MOTOR WORKS WITH NO RESPONSE THE CLAMPS THAT CONNECT THE POWER STEERING HOSES …

    Read full complaint

    I HAD TAKEN MY MERCEDES ML320 IN FOR RECALL WORK #2003040005 AT MOTOR WORKS IN HOFFMAN ESTATES IL. FOR POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX. $6,000.00 FOR THIS SERVICE WHICH SHOULD BE FREE. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES AND MOTOR WORKS WITH NO RESPONSE THE CLAMPS THAT CONNECT THE POWER STEERING HOSES COME OFF QUITE OFTEN RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, I GUESS I SHOULDN'T EXPECT MUCH FOR A $40,000.00 CAR!! *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10258537

    100,000 miles · Feb 7, 2008
    Steering

    I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES ML 320 THAT HAS POWER STEERING FLUID PROBLEMS. THIS IS DUE TO A RECALL ISSUED BY MB FOR FAULTY HOSING, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. I HAD LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY WHILE DRIVING WHICH LEAD ME TO STEER OFF THE ROAD DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10217327

    51,723 miles · Jan 22, 2008
    Steering

    CAR MAKES A "WASHING MACHINE" TYPE NOSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MERCEDES DEALER EVALUATED AND FOUND THE STEERING GEAR BOX/RACK & PINION IS "WORN" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PART THEY DID ADD A LUBRICANT TO POWER STEERING FLUID TO "ELIMINATE" THE NOISE (WHICH IS STILL THERE PR…

    Read full complaint

    CAR MAKES A "WASHING MACHINE" TYPE NOSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MERCEDES DEALER EVALUATED AND FOUND THE STEERING GEAR BOX/RACK & PINION IS "WORN" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PART THEY DID ADD A LUBRICANT TO POWER STEERING FLUID TO "ELIMINATE" THE NOISE (WHICH IS STILL THERE PRESENTLY). WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO REPLACE RACK & PINION BECAUSE THEY STATE PART IS STILL FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. HOWEVER, IF PART COMPLETELY FAILS AND THE STEERING GOES OUT, I COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10215656

    62,000 miles · Dec 11, 2007
    Steering

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT EXITED AN OFFRAMP AT 10 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND LATER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER…

    Read full complaint

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT EXITED AN OFFRAMP AT 10 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND LATER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND ONE OF THE O-RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10211473

    Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2003
    Steering

    CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER FOR THE LAST 6 WEEKS REGARDING RECALL REMEDY 03V121000, BUT DEALER CONTINUALLY ASKED CONSUMER TO CALL BACK AND NEVER GAVE VALID REASON OF WHY COULD NOT PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER HAS YET TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT OR EVEN STATE WHETHER PARTS WERE AVAILABLE OR BEEN ORDERED.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #10027102

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    1

    PE05005 · Electric Seat Warmer Overheats/burns

    Opened Feb 2, 2005 · Closed Jun 29, 2005

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

    THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON THREE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF ELECTRIC SEAT WARMER OVERHEATING IN MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320 VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGED THAT SUCH FAILURES MAY INFLICT BURN INJURIES TO SEAT OCCUPANTS.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE IDENTICAL SEAT WARMER DESIGN WAS INSTALLED IN 65.5 PERCENT OF ALL M-CLASS VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING MY 2000-2005.THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED FROM BREAKAGE OF THE ELECTRICAL BUS WIRE OF THE HEATER GRID IN THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE SEAT BOLSTER.THE FAILURES WERE CAUSED BY REPEATED HIGH STRESS APPLIED DURING OCCUPANT INGRESS AND EGRESS.A SIMILAR FAILURE MODE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED IN INVESTIGATIONS OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IN OTHER VEHICLES.THE RATES OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AS WELL AS FOR OTHER M-CLASS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SEAT WARMER DESIGN, WERE IN SOME CASES HIGHER, BUT ON THE SAME ORDER OF MAGNITUDE AS THE RATES SEEN IN OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED.THE INFORMATION DISCLOSED THAT SEAT CUSHION DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO SMALL, LOCALIZED AREAS AND THAT NO RISK OF FIRE EXISTED.THE INJURIES REPORTED WERE CONSISTENTLY VERY MINOR IN SEVERITY AND AT RATES COMPARABLE TO THOSE SEEN ON OTHER INVESTIGATIONS.ODI CONCLUDED THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND WAS NOT IDENTIFIED IN THIS MATTER AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS PE HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.