AI Damage1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 filed 133 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 133
- involving a crash
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 31 complaints (23% of all).
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 19 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 17 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 16 complaints (12% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 133 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. 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.
Ml320 fuel pump failed, causing crash into other vehicle. Mbz roadside assistance was called twice and claimed no record of 1st call 4 hours earlier. Vehicle was towed at owner's expense to dealer who claimed starmark warranty was expired, contrary to same dealer representation at sale.
Although driver's side air bag went off, my wife was not that lucky because her side airbag did not deploy from her door to protect her so her right shoulder broken. I told mbusi about the un- deployed side airbag after my car rolling over. She asked for my being patient.
Front crash at 25 mph, passenger airbag did not deploy. Driver airbag opened, and driver suffered chemical burns to the face. $ 12000.00 damage to vehicle.
While traveling on wet road and without any indication vehicle fishtailed out of control, causing vehicle to flip over. Consumer stated that speed control came on. Please provide further information.
Several months after my accident I recieved a recall on my seat belts. The company that repaired my vehicle told me the air bag had not been connected. No warnings were given until after the accident that there was a problem with the air bag system.
Key lock problems, would not start due to key problems, would not start because of fuel pump failures, would not start due to gas tank problems, door lock assemblies move up and down by themselves, latch on hatch door rattled, rear seat belts rattle, oil out light came on at random times, engine check light on, last…
While driving at 50-55 mph vehicle was involved in a collision that resulted in a roolover. The airbags did not deploy. Manufacturer has been notified.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,911 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ML320 has 57 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 133, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, fuel system. Total complaints: 133. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), windows, sunroof (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.