Total Complaints
200 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 · model year
200 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998MERCEDES-BENZML320 carries 200 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 5 fires, 28 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 ML320 is visibility:power window devices and controls with 11 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and engine and engine cooling:engine (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 1998 ML320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
200 filings
Crashes Reported
15 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | 4 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE COLUMN. THIS DAMAGED THE MAIN METAL FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS
1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE COLUMN. THIS DAMAGED THE MAIN METAL FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS
MICHELIN LATTITUDE TOUR 255/65R16 TIRES ARE PREMATURELY COMING APART. I HAVE LESS THAN 15K MILES ON THESE TIRES AND THE TREAD IS RIPPING AWAY FROM THE SIDE WALLS. THERE IS NO RECALL FROM MICHELIN FOR THIS SIZE OF TIRE AND IT HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE OTHER SIZES IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL TIRE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! 164 DOLLARS A TIRE AND I COULD HAVE DIED DRIVING ON THESE THINGS. THESE NEED A RECALL NOW! PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT RICK DRIVING WITH THESE TIRES!
Mileage: 15,000
WENT TO START MY CAR SEAT BELT BLEW UP ,SMOKE COMING OUT NOW WILL NOT WORK WILL NOT RETRACT .HOW CAN MERCEDES MAKE SUCH A DANGEROUS PRODUCT AND NOT BE BE SUED FOR SUCH A CRAPPY DANGEROUS PRODUCT.THIS NOT A ISOLATED OR FREAK OCCURANCE HAVE READ NUMEROUS SIMILAR ON LINE.
Mileage: 170,549
MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND UNKNOWN TO ME THE ML320 FOR THIS YEAR LOSES ITS TRANSPONDER CODES IN THE DAS SECURITY MODULE WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A LOW BATTERY. THIS IS EVIDENTALLY THE THIRD KEY THAT HAS LOST ITS PROGRAMMING ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. COST SO FAR IS 499 FOR A KEY, WEEKS WAITING FOR THE KEY FROM GERMANY, AND 300 TO PROGRAM IT ONCE THEY RECIEVE THE KEY. ITS A DEALERSHIP ONLY ITEM SO ITS VERY VERY COSTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCADES AND CHECKING THE FORUMS IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS 1998-2000 MODEL MERCADES ALL LOSE THEIR TRANSPONDER CODES BETWEEN 129,000 AND 132,000 MILES NO MATTER WHAT.THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY MERCADES. I NEVER HAD THESE ISSUES WITH MY TWO 2002 ML500'S BUT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BENZ IN MY LIFE. *JS
Mileage: 131,459
MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND UNKNOWN TO ME THE ML320 FOR THIS YEAR LOSES ITS TRANSPONDER CODES IN THE DAS SECURITY MODULE WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A LOW BATTERY. THIS IS EVIDENTALLY THE THIRD KEY THAT HAS LOST ITS PROGRAMMING ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. COST SO FAR IS 499 FOR A KEY, WEEKS WAITING FOR THE KEY FROM GERMANY, AND 300 TO PROGRAM IT ONCE THEY RECIEVE THE KEY. ITS A DEALERSHIP ONLY ITEM SO ITS VERY VERY COSTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCADES AND CHECKING THE FORUMS IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS 1998-2000 MODEL MERCADES ALL LOSE THEIR TRANSPONDER CODES BETWEEN 129,000 AND 132,000 MILES NO MATTER WHAT.THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY MERCADES. I NEVER HAD THESE ISSUES WITH MY TWO 2002 ML500'S BUT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BENZ IN MY LIFE. *JS
Mileage: 131,459
MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND UNKNOWN TO ME THE ML320 FOR THIS YEAR LOSES ITS TRANSPONDER CODES IN THE DAS SECURITY MODULE WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A LOW BATTERY. THIS IS EVIDENTALLY THE THIRD KEY THAT HAS LOST ITS PROGRAMMING ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. COST SO FAR IS 499 FOR A KEY, WEEKS WAITING FOR THE KEY FROM GERMANY, AND 300 TO PROGRAM IT ONCE THEY RECIEVE THE KEY. ITS A DEALERSHIP ONLY ITEM SO ITS VERY VERY COSTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCADES AND CHECKING THE FORUMS IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS 1998-2000 MODEL MERCADES ALL LOSE THEIR TRANSPONDER CODES BETWEEN 129,000 AND 132,000 MILES NO MATTER WHAT.THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY MERCADES. I NEVER HAD THESE ISSUES WITH MY TWO 2002 ML500'S BUT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BENZ IN MY LIFE. *JS
Mileage: 131,459
SUDDENLY I COULD NOT GAIN OR GET ANY MORE SPEED. I WAS JUST COASTING ALONG, I THEN ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED BURNING SMELL FROM FRONT WHEELS. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE GEAR I WAS IN. *JS
Mileage: 98,000
SUDDENLY I COULD NOT GAIN OR GET ANY MORE SPEED. I WAS JUST COASTING ALONG, I THEN ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED BURNING SMELL FROM FRONT WHEELS. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE GEAR I WAS IN. *JS
Mileage: 98,000
SUDDENLY I COULD NOT GAIN OR GET ANY MORE SPEED. I WAS JUST COASTING ALONG, I THEN ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED BURNING SMELL FROM FRONT WHEELS. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE GEAR I WAS IN. *JS
Mileage: 98,000
MESSAGE DISPLAY INDICATES LEFT BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING. REPLACED BULB AND MESSAGE DISAPPEARED FOR ONE DAY AND THEN REAPPEARED. REMOVED BULB AND BULB WAS OK. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND WHERE MERCEDES HAD A BRAKE LIGHT REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THIS REPAIR KIT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. I CONTACTED A LOCAL EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR SHOP WHO HAD THE REPAIR KIT IN STOCK GOING BACK TO 2010 MERCEDES HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT NEVER NOTIFIED ME OR FIXED THE PROBLEM WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR NORMAL SERVICE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MERCEDES. *TR
Mileage: 98,275
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE DOOR LOCKS ON ALL FOUR DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK CONTINUOUSLY. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT WHILE THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS THERE WAS NO RECALLS AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
Mileage: 157,000
THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND WORKED AGAIN AFTER SOME PUMPING AND COASTING TO AVOID COLLISION. THE CAR THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
Mileage: 50,567
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER
Mileage: 180,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER
Mileage: 180,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER
Mileage: 180,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE KEY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED DURING RESEARCH THAT MERCEDS BENZ INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW EIGHT KEYS TO BE MADE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A SCAM BY MB TO FORCE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A NEW COMPUTER, IGNITION, ETC, FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE 8TH KEY HAD BEEN MADE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MADE THAT WAY FOR SECURITY REASON. THE CONSUMER
Mileage: 180,000
CAR FAILS TO START. WE HAD THIS CAR TOWED TO A DEALER 40 MILES AWAY FROM OUR DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL IN MI. NEEDS NEW KEY SYSTEM AS CHIP NOT RECOGNIZED AND IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE RE-KEYED. 8 KEYS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THIS CAR,(WE BOUGHT IT USED). WE ONLY RECEIVED 1 WITH OUR PURCHASE! EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS A KEY HAS TO BE CHANGED. COST ESTIMATED AT $4000. WE SEE THIS AS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW, NOT A SECURITY BENEFIT. ESPECIALLLY SINCE THEIR KEYS JUST QUIT WORKING. *TR
Mileage: 71,000
HEADLAMPS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT OCCURS ON A NIGHTLY BASIS. OTHER CARS CANNOT SEE ME. ALMOST HIT SOMEONE CROSSING THE STREET BEFORE I NOTICED THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. SOMETIMES CYCLING THE LIGHTS ON AN OFF TEMPORARILY FIXES THE PROBLEM. OTHER TIMES I DRIVE WITH MY FOGLAMPS ON. I'VE CHECKED THE FUSE AND WILL BE TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. PREVIOUSLY, IN 2006 THE HEADLAMPS WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE DEALER FIXED THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 150,843
ON MY MERCEDES ML320, 1998 THE KEY REFUSE TO START THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD AT PLAZA MOTORS IN ST,. LOUIS MO. THAT THE CAR DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY ANY MORE. UPON MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT IT IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ML320 SERIES WHICH IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER ESPECIALLY THE EARLIER ONCE 1998-2000 AND IT WILL CAUSE $6700.00 TO FIX. I WILL APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION, IT'S SO COMMON THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SELLING THEIR CARS BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.