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: 3 of 3 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.
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
115,000 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAS CONTROL BOX MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAS CONTROL BOX MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10653430
20,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. HE ALSO N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10241812
61,000 miles · Jun 15, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ML500 EATS THROUGH BRAKES. EL DORADO HILLS MERCEDES REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS ON MY ML500 AT 29000 WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SINCE THEN THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS 3 TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE 60000 ON THE VEHICLE AND MOST OF THAT WAS HIGHWAY DRIVING. I DO NOT PULL ANYTHING, NO TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED. APPEARS…
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ML500 EATS THROUGH BRAKES. EL DORADO HILLS MERCEDES REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS ON MY ML500 AT 29000 WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SINCE THEN THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS 3 TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE 60000 ON THE VEHICLE AND MOST OF THAT WAS HIGHWAY DRIVING. I DO NOT PULL ANYTHING, NO TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED. APPEARS TO BE DESIGN FLAW OR I'M BEING TAKEN BY THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10193427
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.
2005 Mercedes Benz ML500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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