1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems & reliability
125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (12 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 35 | 28% |
| Steering | 29 | 23% |
| Power Train | 19 | 15% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 11 | 9% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 6% |
| Visibility | 7 | 6% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 5 | 4% |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 4% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 72,000 miles (middle 50% between 59,950 and 99,750 miles), based on 70 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and other various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she refilled the power steering reservoir several times and noted that there was a stain underneath her vehicle after…”
Steering · filed Aug 2, 2023
“There was a recall on the steering on my 1999 Mercedes Benz . The Manufacturer said its closed . The steering is leaking and hard to drive and I fear the power steering pump will go out while I am driving the Vehicle. I fear for my safety. How can I get this recall opened and my vehicle fixed .”
Steering · filed Jul 23, 2022
“I was in an accident a week ago my airbags did not deploy under serious impacts my car rolled serveral times before comming to a stop on its side not one airbag went off also there was a warning light lit up about the bas system and some other malfunction the two warning lights never went off they stayed on constant…”
Air Bags · filed Oct 16, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE03058 · opened Dec 17, 2003 · closed Apr 22, 2004
- POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
Preliminary Evaluation PE03006 · opened Feb 13, 2003 · closed Apr 4, 2003 · led to recall 03V121000
Technical service bulletins
30 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The 10 most recent:
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
LI27.50-P-071658 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 30, 2020
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
LI27.50-P-049281 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 22, 2020
Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor"
LI07.08-P-060993 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 25, 2015
Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"
GI88.40-P-057430 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 3, 2014
Thumping noises from front axle when driving over bumps on road.
LI32.20-P-057942 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 4, 2013
Since 12/2012 (model 166) and since 06/2013 (model 242) the glass breakage loops are no longer in the side windows and rear window. Suitable interior protection ensures that the interior monitoring function continues to…
S-B-67.00-29 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2013
Customer experiences low battery conditions, resulting in jump starts, and eventually requiring battery replacement.
LI82.95-P-056655 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 12, 2013
The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30).
LI82.85-P-055695 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 8, 2013
Combination message: "Clean fuel filter" is displayed. The fault code 162500 (water level message - Bosch) or P226997 (water level message - Delphi) or 171600 (filter load - Bosch) is stored in the engine control unit.
LI47.20-P-054958 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2013
Xentry: outside door handle no longer returns to end position. Due to a bent pin in the dynamic balancer, the support spring of the bearing bracket can slide out of place or become unhooked. Models 164, 251, 166, 204…
LI-72-00-P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2013
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 72,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.