2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 24%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,470miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 24% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,470 miles. 1 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.
“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“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 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“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“This is the 4th or 5th time this has happened to me in the last two years. The first time (jan 2017) happened on a highway outside of washington dc. Luckily I was in the right lane and was able to pull off the road. But before doing so I almost got rear ended by another vehicle that was directly behind me. I sat on side of the road for 15 minutes with car off. When I started up the car, I was able to finish my drive home to south carolina but stayed in the right lane all the way home. 2nd time was in april of 2017 while driving on highway from south carolina to georgia. …”
NHTSA complaint #11187418, filed 2019-03, 160,000 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
48 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 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