AI Damage2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 filed 88 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 88
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 27% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 27% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 11% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 24 complaints (27% of all).
- Steering: 24 complaints (27% of all).
- Electrical system: 19 complaints (22% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 11 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electronic stability control: 10 complaints (11% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 88 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 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.
Next thing I know my 2002 ml320 mercedes benz did a whole 360 degree spin around I didn't panic I was just and total shock I got out the car and walk to the car to check in see was the person okay or not because I didn't know who was driving the car when I look in realize it was a senior citizen I ask him are you okay…
The impact was so intense that I hit the side window with my head my car that was going straight did a 90 degree turn and the air bags never deployed. My car is a 2002 ml320.
Mb ml 320 continued to accelerate while exiting a parking ramp while not touching the accelerator and with braking having no effect on reducing speed until car impacted wall.
The contact stated that the ESP traction warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over, turned off, restarted the vehicle, and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure occurred several minutes later.
The car brakes suddenly by itself just after the ESB/ABS lights come on along with an exclamation point (!). This has happened randomly at least 4 times since we purchased the car. Once at high speeds on the highway. It appears this problem is common with other owners of Mercedes 2001-2002 ML's.
Front left wheel making this noise and stops after 25 miles per hour radio volume low when ignition key is on position 3 when key it's in the position 2 laud volume when key is not in I can turn on the stereo
As I was driven I noticed my car battery light came on meaning my battery was decreasing power and it did I was on my way home driven I noticed my car losing power in the car shut completely off so I pulled to the side and I called someone to give me a jump the car started back up drove about 3, blocks and the car…
The contact stated that the air conditioner failed to turn off when the engine was turned off. The contact also stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact purchased and installed a new alternator; however, the vehicle failed to start.
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 3,860 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ML320 has 57 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 88, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, steering, electrical system. Total complaints: 88. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (20%), warning lights, check engine (17%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 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 2002 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 2002 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.