Total Complaints
6 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 · model year
2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320
6 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005MERCEDES-BENZML320 carries 6 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 2005 ML320 is fuel system, other with 1 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (1) and steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections (1). 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 2005 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.
6
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 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 |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | 1 |
| SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20060419CrashAIR BAGS
DURING ACCIDENT WHERE ML 320 WAS BROAD SIDED ON DRIVERS DOOR, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER OF OTHER CAR WHICH STRUCK MERCEDES ADMITTED TO TRAVELING AT 35 MPH. FURTHERMORE, AUTO CRASH NOTIFY SYSTEM FAILED; THESE ARE STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM
20060419CrashEQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
DURING ACCIDENT WHERE ML 320 WAS BROAD SIDED ON DRIVERS DOOR, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER OF OTHER CAR WHICH STRUCK MERCEDES ADMITTED TO TRAVELING AT 35 MPH. FURTHERMORE, AUTO CRASH NOTIFY SYSTEM FAILED; THESE ARE STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM
20051025SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
CHILD WAS ON THE BACK SEAT IN A CAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE DRIVING, THE BACK SEAT CAME FORWARD HITTING HER LEGS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT.
Mileage: 8,900
20050426STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST POWER ALMOST STRIKING A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED (2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML320).*AK *NM
Mileage: 2,000
20050408POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.*AK
Mileage: 8,000
20041215CrashFUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1)ML350 WAS PURCHASED W/10MILES ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12 THAT SAME DAY THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING WHEN REACHING 45 AND 75 MILES PER HOUR AND ON NOVEMBER 14, SUNDAY 4 TIMES WHILE STOP THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. *AK ON NOVEMBER 15, MONDAY MORNING WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP THE VEHICLE STALLED TWO MORE TIMES. EVERYDAY THEREAFTER THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND STALL. ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2004 WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. 2)ON TUES DECEMBER 7 MY VEHICLE WAS IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO STALLING. THE VEHICLE HAS BODY AND UNDERNEATH DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. IVE COMPLAINED TO STEVE ROGERS, TIM SERVICE REP, LOVENCE AND ASHER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE. I REPEATEDLY ASKED FOR A NEW VEHICLE. 3)I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 3 TO 4 DAYS. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Mileage: 290
Compare 2005MERCEDES-BENZML320 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 have?▼
The 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 has 6 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 is FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS.
Is the 2005 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.