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Exterior lightingPart report

2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
7%of 88 total for the year
Median mileage
105,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 7% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.

“Numerous problems with exterior and interior lighting. Most importantly the left turn signal continually goes out without notice. Sometime the interior left turn lights up and sometimes it doesn't. Other times the interior left turn light goes completely out placing me and my children in great danger. Also I made a left turn and the steering went out just as I entered the beltway and was unable steer the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10136498, filed 2005-09

“I purchased a used 2002 ML320. Once the vehicle came of the lot it was fine in the beginning; however, the bas/esp continues to come on every two to three months. This prevents me from moving the gear shift from park to drive also the brake lights are not working (on or off when pressing on the brake pad)and when it does come on when I am driving at night other drivers cannot see any brake lights at all which puts my family and I in a safety situation or safety hazard which has occurred many times while driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #10286007, filed 2009-10

“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ML320. For the past two years, the contact has taken her vehicle to the dealer to have the brake light switch repaired. When the brake light switch failed, the esp and ABS indicators illuminated. The vehicle would stop and the gear would have to be placed into park to manually override the warnings. Once the vehicle was placed into park, it would not move. The brakes lights do not illuminate, which is a hazard to the vehicles in the rear of the contact. The switch has been changed at least eight times, but the failure still occurs. …”

NHTSA complaint #10250821, filed 2008-12, 105,000 miles

“This vehicle has numerous defects, and has been in for service countless amounts of times. Mb promised to replace the vehicle if their factory representative could verify my complaints. They absolutely found numerous, redundant defects and now only want to fix the vehicle, rather that replace the vehicle. What a bunch of liars. …”

NHTSA complaint #10039020, filed 2003-09

“The exterior headlights on our mercedes ml 320e have become very cloudy and rough to the touch. This is now a problem because they do not emit enough light to safely drive at night.”

NHTSA complaint #10230956, filed 2008-06

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200914%
2008629%
200267%
200053%
199854%

Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320

Brakes
25 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 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 Nov 1, 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