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Mercedes-Benz ML320Model year report

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems

Complaints
28filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
54,000miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
32 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The part named most often is fuel system, with 9 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine (6) and engine cooling (4). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 45% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 87 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Check engine light warning with code #20be1b. Repair indicates need of diesel exhaust fluid (def) heater repair kit. Diesel exhaust fluid system is part of emissions system. Mb dealership says no warranty for repair. Internet research widespread problem with def system around 50,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #10672030, filed 2015-01, 58,331 miles

Engine: “Our vehicle caught fire. My wife and I had just gotten off of the interstate when we started to smell an odd smell. We pulled into a hotel parking lot where we started to see smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. I stopped the vehicle in a hotel driveway, put the vehicle in park. We got out of the vehicle and saw flames underneath the vehicle. We called 911 and hotel staff tried to extinguish the fire but it continued to grow. The fire dept. Arrived and put out the fire. Photos are attached.”

NHTSA complaint #11308022, filed 2020-02, 89,000 miles

Engine cooling: “The SUV slows and/or stalls suddenly at different speeds. Started around 8,000 original miles on odometer. It is a 2009 ml 320 bluetec. Occurs unexpectedly for few seconds randomly.”

NHTSA complaint #10359031, filed 2010-10, 8,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Ml320 bluetec, randomly loses power. The power will be restored once the car is turned off and on again. Car has been to the dealer 7 times for repair of this one issue, including twice in a state with limited power. Dealer has done multiple software updates, turbo replacement, exhaust valves replacement and the issue is still present. On one of the last occasions this happened, the car lost power when trying to merge on to the hwy. This almost resulted in me being rear ended by a big rig. Luckily I was able to pull to the shoulder before I was rear ended. …”

NHTSA complaint #10565170, filed 2014-02, 24,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

45% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 84,251 miles.

5%0–1015%10–2525%25–5025%50–7520%75–10010%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 54,000 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.

201120145201620182022
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 2009 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 2009 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.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 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. 87 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 87 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 9 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine with 6.

Has the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 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.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 84,251 miles; 45% 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.

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.