2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 vs 2003 Subaru Forester
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 | 2003 Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 22 | 189 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 53 | 142 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 1 | 17 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 15 | 21 |
| Median reported mileage | — | 90,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz ML320 | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0 | 31 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 26 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 25 |
| Suspension | 1 | 22 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 15 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 0 | 19 |
| Structure | 0 | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 10 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 27 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 14 |
| Stalling | 0 | 11 |
2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320
2003 Subaru Forester
Compare all Mercedes-Benz ML320 vs Subaru Forester years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.