1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 15%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 15% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car was in park at the top of the driveway and rolled down my driveway down a hill and crashed into a tree to stop. The car maker sent an investigator out (after a month) who determined it was a defect in the transmission. (I am awaiting their report to me) car is not drivable.”
NHTSA complaint #10023724, filed 2003-06, 153,000 miles“In september 1999, we purchased a new Mercedes-Benz, ml-320. In 2003, the vehicle was a part of a recall for a lower power steering hose and clamp at the radiator fitting. On august 7, 2007, while driving the vehicle, the lower power steering hose blew off loosing all hydraulic fluid. We lost the power steering and had extreme difficulty steering the vehicle. The same problem has occurred with a family member's ml-320. In addition, the transmission has frozen four times in first gear. The mercedes dealer was unable to locate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10199413, filed 2007-08, 63,500 miles“Reference: vehicle complaint - 47046 in september 1999, we purchased a new Mercedes-Benz, ml-320. In 2003, the vehicle was part of a recall concerning a lower power steering hose and clamp at the radiator fitting. On august 7, 2007, while driving the vehicle, the lower power steering hose blew off losing all hydraulic fluid. We lost the power steering and had extreme difficulty steering the vehicle. The same problem has occurred with a family member's ml-320. In addition, the transmission has frozen four times in first gear. The mercedes dealer was unable to locate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10199666, filed 2007-08, 63,500 miles“Consumer was able to remove the key from ignition without the vehicle being in park. The consumer stated that she could shift the gear lever to all gears when the key was not in the ignition and engine in an off position. The vehicle rolled down the hill and ran over a mailbox damaging the vehicle and back while the gear lever was still in park. The rear seat belts does not retract and had to be manually pushed back into the mechanism.”
NHTSA complaint #10099784, filed 2004-12, 78,000 miles“I have 2 complaints against mercedes ML320 SUV. 1) with ignition off and key removed, the transmission shifter can be shifted to neutral and the truck starts to roll. It posts extreme danger to passengers, especially, kids left in a parked vehicle, as well as pedestrians in front or behind the vehicle, especially those standing in between this vehicle and another parked vehicle on a slope. 2) the well known power lock failure causes the manually locked doors (including child proof rear door locks) to be unlocked automatically whenever the vehicle starts in motion from full stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10312487, filed 2010-02, 1 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10025663Apr 2, 2008Slow acceleration with gas pedal hesitation. Models 164.122/8ss (ml 320 and gl320); 211.022 (e320); 251.122 (4320). Years unknown.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 | 14% |
| 2008 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 13% |
| 2005 | 1 | 20% |
| 2003 | 2 | 9% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 12 | 7% |
| 1999 | 19 | 15% |
| 1998 | 10 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320
35 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology