2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 22%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 22% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2002 ML320 cluster display lights on my dash all light up, the check engine light comes on, the speedometer stops working actually goes to zero. Once the car comes to a complete stop it accelerates very slowly and will not shift out of first gear. This is very frightening for someone in traffic and this happens without warning. Please investigate this issue before someone is rear ended and dies.”
NHTSA complaint #10503370, filed 2013-03, 120,000 miles“Ml 320 got in fire itself suddenly start at the left front side of the engine,I was driving my car for 5 min on fwy, when a car next line honk on me and yelled me my car has fire under the engine after that try to stop and the brake pedal did not work I have to stop the car with the parking brake and run away from the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10359922, filed 2010-10, 128,000 miles“I was driving at 40-45 MPH when I noticed an orange glow under the passenger side mirror. Within a few seconds the light turned yellow, and suddenly I noticed flames are shooting out of the side mirror along with thick black smoke. I immediately turned into a gas station and put off the fire with water hose. I was afraid of the fire to get inside the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10267033, filed 2009-04, 74,500 miles“I was driving on a busy intersection in my 2002 mercedes benz ML320 when driving the yellow triangle in the speedometer starts to flash and all the breaks lock up, this is followed by a stall, thankfully I was able to pull off to the side of the road without being hit. After doing some research I discovered that many mercedes ML320 owners were having this same problem. Specifically the yaw rate sensor. This is a serious life threatening issue that can injure or worse yet kill someone. You guys need to do a recall before someone dies!”
NHTSA complaint #11057753, filed 2017-12, 106,500 miles“Fuse box some has power some not. Front left wheel making this noise and stops after 25 miles per hour radio volume low when ignition key is on position 3 when key it's in the position 2 laud volume when key is not in I can turn on the stereo”
NHTSA complaint #11298583, filed 2020-01, 203,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10167564Jul 12, 2013Customer experiences low battery conditions, resulting in jump starts, and eventually requiring battery replacement.
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after…
- 10034152Jun 7, 2010Mercedes: battery symbol and service required (in white). Fault message is displayed if the charge level is too low or the park pawl additional battery is defective. In addition…
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
- 10028686May 6, 2009Mercedes: air matic visit workshop displayed within instrument cluster. Models 164, 211, 219, 221 and 251. Included 4matic, amg (compressor) amg, bluetec and wagon. Model years…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 | 11% |
| 2008 | 4 | 19% |
| 2007 | 2 | 13% |
| 2003 | 2 | 9% |
| 2002 | 19 | 22% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 2000 | 20 | 12% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 21 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320
25 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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