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Mercedes-Benz ML320Model year report

2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
51,723miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The part named most often is seats, with 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering (6) and brakes (4). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,723 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 55 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seats complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Seats: “While driving the vehicle heated seats caused second degree burns to the driver's bottom. There was no damage to the vehicle's seat. This problem also cause some redness to another driver's bottom. After visiting doctor for treatment of burns, took vehicle to dealer the same week. Was informed by three different mechanic's problem could not be found or resolved. Pictures enclosed the vehicle seats were heated.”

NHTSA complaint #10059309, filed 2004-02, 14,500 miles

Steering: “Loss of power steering fluid, it appears to be from the hose connection to the radiator during driving and while stationery. This issue was previously recalled, I believe twice. Dealer requested $125 diagnostic charge. Mb USA informed in a phone conversation, that this problem was already fixed october 2008 under recall, and the warranty expired and I should fix on my own cost.”

NHTSA complaint #11060855, filed 2018-01, 79,500 miles

Brakes: “Bas light turns on while driving on the freeway and the car shuts off on freeway while driving. The gas pedal didn't work so I pulled over. I feel like its a dangerous to drive and putting other driver in danger so I stopped driving it. There was a recall for 2000-2002 ML320 but my car is 2003 and its doing the same issues that the 2000-2002 ML320”

NHTSA complaint #10838717, filed 2016-02, 160,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “While driving, went over bump in road, and truck immediately lost speed. Pressure on gas pedal weakend. There was absolutely no acceleration. I pulled over after almost being hit, and turned vehicle off. Restarted and pull over into autozone to have them hook it up to diagnostic reader. It came back with several codes, that all stated throttle pedal positioner malfunction I have bought and replaced this item 4 times since this incident, and the problem still exists. …”

NHTSA complaint #10594921, filed 2014-05, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,600 and 90,000 miles.

0%0–1033%10–2513%25–5013%50–7513%75–10013%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 51,723 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2003620052008201020142018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ML-Class · sedan AWDnot rated———3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ML320 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic141715$5,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 55 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 55 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20092854,0003——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20082194,5002—21—Falling
20071643,0002—21—Falling
200555,0000———Not enough data
20032251,7230—15—Stable
20028889,6701—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200113687,8000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200016677,0000—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199912571,5000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199813379,2790—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mercedes-Benz ML320 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 is reported most often?

Seats is named most often, in 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering with 6.

Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 (ML320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,723 miles and the middle half falls between 22,600 and 90,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.