AI Damage2005 Mercedes-Benz ML320: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML320 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 2 Equipment 20% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 20% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 20% of all complaints
- Air bags: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
While driving at a low speed transmission failed to shift into first or second gear. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealer.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ML320 has 57 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, equipment, fuel system. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (20%), loss of power / limp mode (20%), stalls while driving (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 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 2005 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 2005 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.