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Mercedes-Benz ML320Model year report

2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
94,500miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel 4WD/AWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 6 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and steering (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 6% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 82 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 15 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.

Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “Both rear brake light assemblies have failed. These failures increase the likelihood of a rear end collision. When the left assembly failed in 2011, I attributed it to bad luck. When the right assembly failed at 66000 miles in 2012, it occurred to me that mercedes may have a problem that deserves a recall action. Instead of costing about $5 to $10 for light bulbs these assemblies cost about $300 each to replace and install. $600 is enough to cause some people to not repair them and thus create a safety hazard. …”

NHTSA complaint #10455203, filed 2012-04, 55,000 miles

Electrical system: “My 2008 is having the same problem as this 2009. Mercedes benz is recalling 16,130 my 2009 m-class w164 passenger vehicles equipped with the optional power lift gate. As a result of a faulty seal around the rear tail lamp assembly, water may enter the rear compartment containing the spare tire. Water contamination of the control unit for the power lift gate can result in disabling of the power lift gate motor. Hazard:water will cause a short circuit which could lead to a fire. …”

NHTSA complaint #11067316, filed 2018-02, 107,000 miles

Steering: “At 57,000 the rack and pinion seals went out on the steering making the car extremely difficult to steer. Rear seat belts had never been used until 12/1/14 at which time I found they were not usable. They were locked into position. The service writer at the mercedes dealership said he owned the same model and had to replace his twice. Dealer and factory both refused to repair either item.”

NHTSA complaint #10664708, filed 2014-12, 57,000 miles

Engine: “A seal for the engine oil cooler failed. The cooler leaked oil onto the under-engine pan and was not detected as a leak on the garage floor. Had the cooler failed completely it would have created a safety issue in traffic. The seal failure appears to be a common problem but should not occur under normal use, which is how this vehicle is used.”

NHTSA complaint #10683293, filed 2015-02, 125,781 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

6% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,658 and 125,500 miles.

6%0–100%10–250%25–5025%50–7519%75–10044%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 94,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2008201220144201620212024
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 2008 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 rated5 / 5——4 · 17.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2008 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

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 2008 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 CDI 4matic 4WD/AWD3.0L 6-cyl · diesel7-speed automatic182421$4,550

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

Recall details for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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. 82 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 82 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 6 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 (ML320 CDI 4matic, 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,500 miles and the middle half falls between 70,658 and 125,500 miles; 6% 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.