Mercedes-Benz M Class Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 82 consumer complaints across the 7 model years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class (1998–2006) that have at least 5 complaints. 2000 has the most, with 25. Across all years, the part named most often is steering (21 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All M Class model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 | 4,481 | 2 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10 | 24,334 | 3 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 5 | 50,450 | 5 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | 45,000 | 4 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 25 | 75,000 | 5 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 18 | 100,050 | 4 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 5 | 67,700 | 4 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Steering21 25%
- Engine cooling15 18%
- Electrical system13 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain10 12%
- Brakes10 12%
- Electronic stability control8 9.5%
- Fuel system4 4.8%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)3 3.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2000: “While driving my 2000 ml320 mercedes, the car suddenly applies brakes while traveling at various speeds. The bas/esp warning lights come on. This is a very dangerous malfunction and someone should make mercedes address this defect immediately before someone is killed! If you do a search on the internet, it will amaze you how many people have experienced this horrifying ordeal. Please do not ignore my complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #10380051, filed 2011-02, 160,000 miles2006: “Two problems - first, transmission do not switch higher than second speed. Upon engine restart, vehicle drove properly. Second, on another occasion, I was sitting at a traffic light and when I attempted to pull off, the vehicle started driving very slow and rough. I pulled to the side of the road; turned off the engine and waited for a few seconds. When I started the vehicle again and attempted to drive away, the vehicle drove properly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10432214, filed 2011-10, 74,600 miles1998: “On december 29th while traveling with my family on I-77 north in virginia the metal sunroof wind deflector on my 1998 mercedes ml320 completely and without warning broke off and flew into the path of several automobiles. A major traffic accident was narrowly avoided. My ml320 is well maintained and only serviced by the dealer whom sold me the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10000688, filed 2003-01, 110,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology