AI DamageMercedes-Benz ML500: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz ML500 across 7 model years: 108 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 19% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- Steering: 21 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 20 complaints (19% of all).
- Service brakes: 20 complaints (19% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 14 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (9% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 108 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
Motor vehicle accident head on and the airbags did not deploy.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver-side air bag was deployed. The contact sustained bruises and injuries to her hands, knees, and shoulder, and medical attention was provided by her primary physician. There was no fire or police report filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot.
Mechanical failure, steering jam and brake did not work during driving at 15-[address] got in accident hitting the van.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it rolled down the hill and crashed into a gate. The driver jump into the vehicle to depress the brake and sustained scratches and cuts. The road conditions were dry. The manufacturer inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was normal.
The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electrical system due to water leaking into the rear taillight assembly. The contact was informed that the electrical system needed to be replaced.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power whenever the ignition was bumped. No warning light was illuminated.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other models of this make
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.