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Exterior lightingPart report

2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
29%of 21 total for the year
Median mileage
117,778miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 29% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,778 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.

“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

“While driving the mercedes ML320 at night the vehicle suddenly posted the following message battery voltage is too low. Please start the engine. Otherwise, comand will shut off in 3 minutes. The engine was running at this time and the vehicle was in motion. A short time later the headlights on the vehicle suddenly went out. I turned on the flashers and they also went out in a short time. The vehicle was parked and would not re-start. About 15 minutes went by and the vehicle was started and fully functional. No signs of codes or reduced lighting performance. …”

NHTSA complaint #11164312, filed 2018-12, 200,000 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

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

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

Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320

Electrical system
4 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