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2004 Mercedes Benz ML500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
18Owner complaints

Model-year median: 13

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
200213
200318
20043
200537
20069
2007
Compare all ML500 years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
5Steering
5Seats
3Exterior Lighting
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
All reported categories
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Engine
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Power Train
1Structure
1Tires
1Visibility
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: 14 of 18 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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 3 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 reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Visibility complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
50,200 miles · Nov 28, 2007
SeatsVisibilityFireInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WHILE THE WARMER FUNCTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE SEAT WAS RED AND SMOKING. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR 30 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND DROVE HOME. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BURNS ON HI…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WHILE THE WARMER FUNCTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE SEAT WAS RED AND SMOKING. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR 30 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND DROVE HOME. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BURNS ON HIS LEFT SIDE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,200. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB THE DEALER STATED DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210172

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.