2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 10%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,503miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 10% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,503 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I noticed in other complaints they all focus in the power steering issues, fuel / oil leaks and loss, esp option , electrical mail functions that relate with the ecu, problem with the shifter. All these are safety concerns since all the above problems can cause an accident . I have the same problems in my car and it is really difficult to operate the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11288070, filed 2019-12, 25 miles“Was driving truck at highway, when brakes activated by itself, ABS, traction light, brake lamp and hazards flashed. Had to immediately move to side of road, while brakes where activating. Felt as if ABS was activating as if I was sliding on and icy road. Had to have vehicle towed as I was not able to move more that 5 feet”
NHTSA complaint #10744220, filed 2015-07, 160,020 miles“I own a 2000 ML320 mercedes benz. In 4 different events the car applies brakes on tires randomly and the car comes to a stop and pulls and jerks to that side the esp light blink on instrument cluster and bas/esp light comes on. My wife taking the kids to school from stockton to lathrop on I-5 had this problem too and it really scared them luckily the right lane was empty and they managed to somehow pull over. This is a major safety issue that can cause death or serious injury. …”
NHTSA complaint #10354566, filed 2010-09, 150,000 miles“While driving on a highway at about 55-58 MPH for no reason brakes engaged and locked wheels. Smoke was coming out of the tires and esp light came on. My wife (she was driving) and two small kids as well as I were scared to death. We were lucky, nobody was right behind us and we avoided accident. After the esp light come on everything went to normal. We finished our trip with no more brake incidents. Next day after restarting the car light was off but brakes locked in the moment RPM went over 1000. Speed at that time was only 5-10 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #10496136, filed 2013-02, 180,000 miles“I purchase a my 2000 mercedes benz ML320 used with approx. 78k miles. The vehicle now has 105k miles, while driving the vehicle normal, and no off road activity the front brakes would activate causing the vehicle to pull suddenly to the left or right depending on which side had been activated with no input from the driver. The incident would last anywhere from three to five seconds in duration and loss of brake control to the rest of the vehicle. This has happened several different times 5 to be exact all at different speeds. …”
NHTSA complaint #10349577, filed 2010-08, 105,325 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10032725Sep 22, 2009Mercedes: electronic stability program (esp), stability control (sr). References revised and reference to af deleted/supersedes dtb tb 42.45/42. Esp lamp on. Contact fault at…
Electronic stability control: other model years
Other parts of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320
45 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 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