Total Complaints
31 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 · model year
2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320
31 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003MERCEDES-BENZML320 carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 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 2003 ML320 is seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler with 6 filings, followed by steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections (3) and vehicle speed control (3). 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 2003 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.
31
Complaints
2
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 6 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20180105STEERING
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.
Mileage: 79,500
20161217SERVICE BRAKES
MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT STARTED TO FLASH AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES. MY WIFE QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WHERE ENGAGING. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK. WE LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING BUT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. I HAVE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ONE OF THE SHOPS, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION WAS FLASHING. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS CAUSED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN
Mileage: 187,000
20161217ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT STARTED TO FLASH AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES. MY WIFE QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WHERE ENGAGING. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK. WE LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING BUT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. I HAVE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ONE OF THE SHOPS, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION WAS FLASHING. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS CAUSED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN
Mileage: 187,000
20161217VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT STARTED TO FLASH AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES. MY WIFE QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WHERE ENGAGING. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK. WE LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING BUT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. I HAVE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ONE OF THE SHOPS, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION WAS FLASHING. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS CAUSED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UN
Mileage: 187,000
20160616VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE RPMS REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
20160226SERVICE BRAKES
BAS LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE GAS PEDAL DIDN'T WORK SO I PULLED OVER. I FEEL LIKE ITS A DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND PUTTING OTHER DRIVER IN DANGER SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 ML320 BUT MY CAR IS 2003 AND ITS DOING THE SAME ISSUES THAT THE 2000-2002 ML320
Mileage: 160,000
20160226ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
BAS LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE GAS PEDAL DIDN'T WORK SO I PULLED OVER. I FEEL LIKE ITS A DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND PUTTING OTHER DRIVER IN DANGER SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 ML320 BUT MY CAR IS 2003 AND ITS DOING THE SAME ISSUES THAT THE 2000-2002 ML320
Mileage: 160,000
20140529ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, WENT OVER BUMP IN ROAD, AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED. PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL WEAKEND. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I PULLED OVER AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED AND PULL OVER INTO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM HOOK IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL CODES, THAT ALL STATED "THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONER MALFUNCTION" I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED THIS ITEM 4 TIMES SINCE THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, BUT I'M ALWAYS VERY AFRAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET, AND I ALONG WITH MY KIDS ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIME A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
20140529VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING, WENT OVER BUMP IN ROAD, AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED. PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL WEAKEND. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I PULLED OVER AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED AND PULL OVER INTO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM HOOK IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL CODES, THAT ALL STATED "THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONER MALFUNCTION" I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED THIS ITEM 4 TIMES SINCE THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, BUT I'M ALWAYS VERY AFRAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET, AND I ALONG WITH MY KIDS ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIME A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
20140529FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, WENT OVER BUMP IN ROAD, AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED. PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL WEAKEND. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I PULLED OVER AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED AND PULL OVER INTO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM HOOK IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL CODES, THAT ALL STATED "THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONER MALFUNCTION" I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED THIS ITEM 4 TIMES SINCE THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, BUT I'M ALWAYS VERY AFRAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET, AND I ALONG WITH MY KIDS ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIME A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
20120305FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE SPEED. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS A BURNING ODOR OF BRAKES EMITTED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Mileage: 30,000
20100822POWER TRAIN
2003 ML 320 ROLLS BACK IN DRIVE. *TR
Mileage: 25,000
20100822SUSPENSION:REAR
2003 ML 320 ROLLS BACK IN DRIVE. *TR
Mileage: 25,000
20090213STEERING
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
Mileage: 90,000
20080207STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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
Mileage: 100,000
20080122STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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
Mileage: 51,723
20080122STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
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
Mileage: 51,723
20071211STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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.
Mileage: 62,000
20071120POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 DEFECTS WITH TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER UNIT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTS AND THINKS THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON. *KB
20071120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 DEFECTS WITH TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER UNIT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTS AND THINKS THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON. *KB
Compare 2003MERCEDES-BENZML320 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 have?▼
The 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 has 31 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
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.