2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems
- Complaints
- 136filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 87,800miles, 108 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 19 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2001 ML320 report two recurring themes: brakes that apply on their own or seize, often accompanied by the BAS/ESP warning light, and a power steering hose/clamp failure that has led to loss of steering assist. The unintended braking complaints appear at a wide spread of mileages, from roughly 50,000 to over 200,000, and typically occur while driving at steady speed rather than in a single driving condition.
- Electronic stability control
Brakes apply on their own (BAS/ESP light)
Mentioned in 26 of 60 sampled complaints
Complaints describe the vehicle suddenly braking hard with the driver's foot off the pedal, sometimes one wheel at a time, often at highway speeds. The BAS/ESP and triangle warning lights typically illuminate around the event, and the condition is intermittent, sometimes recurring within days. Owners report dealers replaced the brake light switch, yaw rate sensor, ABS pump, or wheel speed sensors, and in some cases could not confirm the cause. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 50,000 to 200,000 miles, usually during steady driving.
What to check: Ask whether the yaw rate sensor, brake light switch, or ABS components have been replaced and watch for a BAS/ESP lamp during a test drive, with fault codes read before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When driving on a local street between 25 and 30 MPH, the car suddenly applied strong braking force by itself (my foot was not even on the brake pedal at that time). During that instance, the car also went out of steer. Fortunately, the car behind me was able to avoid me without rear ended into my car. I was thinking if the same thing happened on a freeway, me and my family could have got killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10652565, filed 2014-11, 78,500 miles“While driving on i95 in florida on dec 26, 2009, my car's brakes suddenly and repeatedly (3 times) engaged on their own without warning. My tires locked up one tire at a time causing me to completely loose control over my vehicle (ML320 ' 2001). Replaced a faulty yaw rate sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #10303421, filed 2010-01, 65,000 miles - Brakes
Brakes seize or fail to release
- 46 complaints (34%)
- median 98,000 mi at 12.0 yrs old (41 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2001–2019
Owners describe brakes that lock up or seize while driving, sometimes producing a burning odor or a sudden stop, and in other reports a pedal that went to the floor. Some complaints note the ABS or ESP light coming on with the event, and several state the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired afterward. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 185,000 miles, at both low and highway speeds.
What to check: Have a shop inspect for dragging calipers, ABS pump faults, and stored ABS/ESP codes, and ask whether the brake-and-fuel-line spacer described in the service bulletin is present.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz ML320. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, the brakes failed without warning and caused the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10775458, filed 2015-09, 170,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes seized and the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000. Updated 04/06/16 updated 04/12/16.”
NHTSA complaint #10822813, filed 2016-01, 165,000 miles - Steering
Power steering hose or clamp failure
- 19 complaints (14%)
- median 50,804 mi at 2.4 yrs old (15 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2003–2019
Complaints describe the power steering hose or its clamp coming loose, hydraulic fluid leaking, and steering becoming very heavy or difficult to turn, sometimes while driving. A service bulletin for this platform covers replacing the lower power steering hose and clamp, and one owner reported the repair performed under a related campaign. Reported from roughly 26,000 to 82,000 miles in this sample.
What to check: Check the hose and clamp at the power steering cooler connection for weeping or a loose fit, inspect fluid level and condition, and listen for whining or groaning when turning the wheel.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving and the catr started stalling. I tried to turn off the road and I could not turn at all becasuse the steering wheel could not turn. It felt like it was locked. I called the mercedes roadside assistance and their representative said that the power steering hose unsnapped, as a result, he had to go to a local track auto store to buy a temporary part to replace it. This was a scary and close call as I saw a metro bus almost run into me as I was trying to maneavor the car out of the way.”
NHTSA complaint #10002870, filed 2003-01, 27,137 miles“My wife was driving the ML320 and the power steering failed and made the vehicle very difficult to control. Roadside assist indicated that this is a very common problem with the ML320 but there has not been a recall. This is a very significant safety problem for this vehicle. Mercedes should recall this vehicle and develop a permenant fix asap.”
NHTSA complaint #10003560, filed 2003-01, 26,320 miles - Vehicle speed control
Cruise control will not disengage
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners report the cruise control failing to release when the brake pedal is pressed, leaving the vehicle unable to decelerate normally, and in some accounts being stopped by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off. One complaint notes the vehicle was covered by a cruise control recall campaign, though a dealer could not reproduce the problem. Reported from about 15,000 to over 160,000 miles, typically at highway cruising speeds.
What to check: Confirm whether the cruise control recall campaign was completed, and test that depressing the brake pedal reliably disengages cruise control.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I own a mercedes benz 2001 ML320 and the lateral acceleration sensor failed around 15,000 miles and was replaced at my own expense. The bas/esp (break assist/electronic stability program) warning light comes on during each short or long trips and goes away after the vehicle sits for a while and restart of the engine and this started to occur after the warranty expired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10155571, filed 2006-04, 15,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 mercedes ML320. While driving approximately 65 MPH the contact depressed the brakes and the cruise control would not disengage. The contact crashed into a ditch and was able to turn the ignition off. There was no mention of whether a police report was filed or if there were any injuries. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v208000 (vehicle speed control:cruise control). …”
NHTSA complaint #10424718, filed 2011-09, 85,000 miles
Buying note. A used 2001 ML320 may still show brake-system warning lights or sudden braking events, so a pre-purchase inspection of the ABS/ESP sensors and brake components is worth doing, along with checking that the power steering hose clamp and any applicable recall campaigns have already been addressed.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 136 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320. 108 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 87,800 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 7 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 45 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes48 35%
- Steering25 18%
- Electrical system16 12%
- Vehicle speed control16 12%
- Fuel system11 8.1%
- Air bags8 5.9%
- Other or unknown5 3.7%
- Seats4 2.9%
Also reported: Engine cooling (3), Latches, locks and linkages (3), Suspension (3), Transmission and drivetrain (3), Engine (2), Seat belts (2), Body and structure (2), Wheels (2), Equipment (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Right side brake locking up when I'm driving and make the car slow down real fast .I almost got hit from behind . I have to travel on the right side of hwy so when it locks up I can try to get off road. I never know when it will lock up. Its scary.”
NHTSA complaint #10598396, filed 2014-06, 60,000 milesElectronic stability control: “2001 mercedes benz ML320 incidents of uncommanded brake application. This happened four times in two weeks. I was driving at a steady speed of 60 MPH on a highway when all of a sudden the car shook violently for a second, it felt like the ABS system engaged. And the esp light come on. The last time it happened I was accelerating from a traffic light (5mph).”
NHTSA complaint #10240095, filed 2008-08, 90,600 milesSteering: “I was driving approximately 25 MPH getting onto the highway when all of a sudden my brakes seemed to lock up. My vehicle jerked violently and I heard this awful grinding noise. I was narrowly missed by the vehicle behind me as the jerk slammed my vehicle to a halt and turned my wheels causing my steering wheel to jerk as well. I was able to pull off to the side of the road and sat there for a while and once again tried to proceed ahead and almost immediately the same incident happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10534293, filed 2013-08, 125,000 milesElectrical system: “On or about may 14, 2012, while I was driving on the freeway at full freeway speed, the vehicle suddenly self-initiated a continuous brake activation without me pressing on the brakes or taking any other action. The vehicle's sudden, unexpected and sustained braking action resulted in a near-collision with a semi-truck traveling behind me which the truck-driver was fortunately just able to prevent. I steered the vehicle to the freeway shoulder as the un-commanded braking action brought the vehicle to a stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10466598, filed 2012-07, 182,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
22% of the 108 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,025 and 130,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML320 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 17 | $4,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- PE03006Power steering hose assembly leakageClosed · Feb 13, 2003
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 45 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Engine. Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant flow in the heater…
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)…
- 11009122Oct 23, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Body and structure. Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML320
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 28 | 54,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2008 | 21 | 94,500 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 16 | 43,000 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2005 | 5 | 5,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 22 | 51,723 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 88 | 89,670 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 136 | 87,800 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 166 | 77,000 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 125 | 71,500 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 133 | 79,279 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mercedes-Benz ML320 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
Owners of the 2001 ML320 report two recurring themes: brakes that apply on their own or seize, often accompanied by the BAS/ESP warning light, and a power steering hose/clamp failure that has led to loss of steering assist. The issues reported most often: Brakes apply on their own (BAS/ESP light); Brakes seize or fail to release; Power steering hose or clamp failure.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?
NHTSA recorded 136 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 48 complaints (35% of the total), followed by electronic stability control with 33.
Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 (ML320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 reported?
Among the 108 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 87,800 miles and the middle half falls between 52,025 and 130,000 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.