2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 35%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,970miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 35% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,970 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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 miles“While driving today at approx 20-25 MPH brakes suddenly applied on their own and my vehicle swerved and came to a halt. Waited several minutes and restarted the vehicle. Drove on the 101 and 405 freeways without further incident. Drove later on the same day, and the same thing happened again. This is extremely dangerous. What if I had been driving on the freeway? I refuse to drive this vehicle again. Is there a recall on this? I have seen a lot of similar incidents online.”
NHTSA complaint #10787153, filed 2015-10, 181,000 miles“I was driving straight on an interstate highway at 70mph with my foot on the gas pedal . All of a sudden the vehicle started to totally apply the brakes all by itself and lunged to a stop . The car behind me barely missed hitting the rear of my vehicle . I turned off the engine and restarted and and was able to drive to the side of the highway . Fearful to continue driving , I then called a tow service to take my vehicle to the nearest dealership . …”
NHTSA complaint #10512228, filed 2013-05, 108,258 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10033607Jan 1, 2010Mercedes benz: check for installation of spacer between brake and fuel line, install if necessary. The spacer between the brake line and fuel line may not have been installed…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | 7% |
| 2008 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 19% |
| 2003 | 4 | 18% |
| 2002 | 25 | 28% |
| 2001 | 48 | 35% |
| 2000 | 34 | 20% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 16 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
33 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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