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Mercedes-Benz ML430Model year report

1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 Problems

Complaints
44filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
78,000miles, 31 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, 4.3L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 18 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and steering (6). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 6% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). 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), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “December 11, 2013 I was driving home from work my benz quit on me in the road would not start back (my home is within 2 miles of my work) the day before it had quit as I was making a turn but restarted a couple of days prior I had the car warming and it shut off while warming up but restarted. There was no lights on the instrument dash panel lit or staying lit. After some internet investigating I assume it was the crankshaft position sensor as it had all the signs that others have had I purchased one for the repair shop to install. …”

NHTSA complaint #10557938, filed 2013-12, 65,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I own a 1999 mercedes benz ML430 SUV. While driving my vehicle to work on the highway, it lost complete power and power steering. Thank god I was operating the vehicle and not my wife, with infant child. …”

NHTSA complaint #10054361, filed 2004-01, 55,000 miles

Steering: “Mercedes benz 1999 ml 430. Harmonic balancer failed. Driving 65+ on the mass. Pike, the power steering failed, and then the engine begin to overheat. The vehicle had to be wrestled from the left lane, across 3 very busy lanes of traffic to the side of the highway. The state police were called and the vehicle was towed. I later learned that the crank shaft pulley had broken apart and caused a chain reaction of failures ultimately leading to the above. * cb”

NHTSA complaint #10054362, filed 2004-01, 78,000 miles

Electrical system: “My vehicle sometimes won't start again after if has been running and shut off. For example it frequently happens at the gas station. I can't get my car started again after I fill up for sometimes 45 minutes.”

NHTSA complaint #10218412, filed 2008-02, 200,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

6% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 98,000 miles.

3%0–103%10–250%25–5042%50–7526%75–10019%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 78,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20002002122004200820102013
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 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
ML430 4WD/AWD4.3L 8-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 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 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.

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. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 17 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML430

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200144104,1240—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200047106,5000—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19994478,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mercedes-Benz ML430 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 have?

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 18 complaints (41% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.

Has the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 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 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 (ML430, 4.3L 8-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 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 98,000 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. 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.