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Engine coolingPart report

2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
6%of 88 total for the year
Median mileage
69,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 6% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“Driving home on a local street at about 30 miles per hour, approaching intersection, trying to turn, all the sudden, steering wheel became very hard to turn, with no assisting power, car run over to the other side of the road, almost crash into curb. It is very lucky, there is no incoming cars, would have crash head on otherwise. Car towed to dealer, found steering hose from radiator to steering rack broken off, steering fluid splatting all over engine. Dealer stated no recall for steering hose coming out of radiator, but there was recall on steering hose coming out of pump. …”

NHTSA complaint #10509207, filed 2013-04, 98,224 miles

“Oil sensor warning indicator illuminated, and vehicle was consuming a quart of oil every three days. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that engine must be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10061714, filed 2004-03, 29,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ML320. While driving up a hill the vehicle began to accelerate very slowly. He pulled over to the side of the road, opened the hood, and noticed smoke. Within a few seconds, the vehicle caught on fire. He will contact the manufacturer. The insurance company was notified. The current and failure mileages were 76,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10297417, filed 2009-12, 76,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ML320. While driving less than 70 MPH, the front passenger side brake locked up and caused the vehicle to swerve into a median. The ABS warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel at the same time the brakes locked. The contact never depressed the brake pedal nor the accelerator pedal for the brakes to lock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the yaw rate sensor failed. The repairs were scheduled under warranty. The failure and current mileages were 63,000. Updated 02/05/09 the bas/esp light illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #10254094, filed 2009-01, 63,000 miles

“2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320. Consumer is having some warranty repair problems with Mercedes-Benz. He also states that Mercedes-Benz is refusing to pay for any recall repairs. The consumer stated noises and lack of power from the vehicle were reported to the dealer. An independent repair shop found dirty solid metal residue in the transmission fluid, there were missing parts in the planetary gear. …”

NHTSA complaint #10323089, filed 2010-04

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2009414%
2008210%
2007531%
200256%
200132%
20002716%
19993528%
19983123%

Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320

Brakes
25 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 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