2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 18%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,012miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 18% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,012 miles. 3 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.
“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 miles“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“While driving at 40 MPH unintended brake application causing loss of control. This has happened numerous times under different speeds and condition. It has happened on curves and straight road conditions. This has been happening since may 2016 at least 15 to 20 times.”
NHTSA complaint #10891779, filed 2016-07, 130,000 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“2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 has a recall for power steering pump. Consumer states that the dealership repaired the hose and clamp but refused to replace the power steering pump. The consumer stated the power steering pump had failed previously and ran completely dry and was making a lot of noise and there was a loss of power steering control. The consumer stated the failure of the hose and clamp caused damage to the power steering pump. The consumer was informed the recall only covered repairs to the hose and clamp and additional damage was not covered.”
NHTSA complaint #10261250, filed 2009-03, 120,494 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10052151Apr 24, 2013Xentry (mercedes): rattling noise coming from the area of the steering column tube system, when driving over rough road and when accelerating or braking, there would be cracking…
- 10051989Feb 15, 2013Mercedes: see document search button for owner letter. The lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power steering leakage from…
- 10044181Mar 12, 2012Xentry: rattling/thumping noises from the area of the steering on rough roads or when driving over road undulations. No model years given. Also included models 168 and 172.
- 10020460Dec 4, 2008Play in the rack and pinion steering system. Models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. Mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09.
- 10025648Apr 22, 2008Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both directions on all model 164 and 251 vehicles. Model years unknown.
- 10019967Apr 26, 2006Flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir. On mercedes benz ml and r class models.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 14% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2005 | 1 | 20% |
| 2003 | 6 | 27% |
| 2002 | 24 | 27% |
| 2001 | 25 | 18% |
| 2000 | 45 | 27% |
| 1999 | 29 | 23% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
48 complaintsElectronic stability control
33 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