2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 19%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 19% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles.
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.
“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“Water entered the vehicle (rain) standing water in the spare tire area of the car. The windshield wiper quit working. Got error messages on the dash rear hatch open, checked rear hatch was closed and it would not open either manually or using the remote opener or the button in the car, multiple error messages rear brake lights left right side and trailer, error message srs failure, fuel gauge quit working, locks not working..... Parked the car it was raining unable to drive, the next day drove it to a mechanic who found 1 of standing water in the spare tire well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10817760, filed 2016-01, 127,555 miles“The rear turn signals and brakes lights are not working properly, even with new bulbs and replacement of the bulbs base case the turn signal still blinking as if the bulb is burned and the brake light doesn't work simultaneously it work when the turn signal is not used. The car was took to the dealer several times and the problem continue the same.”
NHTSA complaint #11455484, filed 2022-03“The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but the failure recurred twice. The second time the failure recurred, the vehicle did not restart. The contact also stated that the horn sounded without being prompted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where it was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10850680, filed 2016-03, 89,000 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…
- 10166088Jul 12, 2014Noises from the mounting of the rear weight sensing system (WSS) sensors
- 10167007Feb 25, 2014Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit.
- 10167006Feb 12, 2014Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit.
- 10167040Feb 1, 2014This Service Campaign has been initiated because Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that the mbrace software does not correspond to…
- 10205233Aug 5, 2013Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely.
- 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…
- 10167572Jul 3, 2013If it is necessary to replace an HV battery, the return will only be accepted with the filled-out ?Analysis Sheet for Transportability of High-Voltage Batteries Form? accompanied…
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320
6 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology