2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,208miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 2% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,208 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving a Mercedes-Benz ML320 on august 02, 2011. The car engine suddenly and completely shut down while I was driving. I got stuck on the inner lane of homestead rd, cupertino, ca. Fortunately I was not on a highway, otherwise, I don't know what would happen to me. I got my car towed to the mercedes service. I was told that the crank sensor did not function properly. This costs me almost my life and $500. I think it's very dangerous to passengers if a car completely shut down while driving. Mercedes-benz should have done a better job to prevent this from happening. …”
NHTSA complaint #10419409, filed 2011-08, 83,208 miles“During braking the bas/esp will come on causing no acceleration with the vehicle. This has happened 7 times in the last 3 days. Almost resulting in 2 accidents. Only tuning off and the the vehicle will temporally fix the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10888285, filed 2016-07, 163,230 miles“The defect stated in recall 03 v 121 000 for the power steering hose clamp happened while the consumer was waiting to be notified. The consumer experienced the following: the entire instrument cluster lit up and flashed and beeped, lost the speedometer, tachometer, gas/gas temperature gauge, and the vehicle had gone into second gear and did come out for some time(discovered it was in limp-home mode). The service dealer advised the consumer that the problem was the gear selector. …”
NHTSA complaint #10022912, filed 2003-07, 52,025 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint 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…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint 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…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint 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…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10025663Apr 2, 2008Slow acceleration with gas pedal hesitation. Models 164.122/8ss (ml 320 and gl320); 211.022 (e320); 251.122 (4320). Years unknown.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 | 14% |
| 2008 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 13% |
| 2005 | 1 | 20% |
| 2003 | 2 | 9% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 12 | 7% |
| 1999 | 19 | 15% |
| 1998 | 10 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
48 complaintsElectronic stability control
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 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