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Electrical systemPart report

1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
11%of 44 total for the year
Median mileage
65,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430, 11% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“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

“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

“While drving in the left lane of a highway with my baby on board, my ML430 shutoff. This happened before while I was drving around town and the service dealer declared the problem fixed each time I reported it. When I took the car in this time around the dealer immediately recognized the problem because they said it has been happening to others. This is a very dangerous situation and owners of these cars should be notified immediately. I narrowly escaped a collision while travelling at a high rate of speed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10000129, filed 2002-12, 15,500 miles

“Ln late august, the check engine light was illuminated on the dashboard of a 1999 mercedes benzml430. Car was delivered to the dealer to remedy this problem. After several weeks and tests, mercedes benz decided to replace transmission. Owner incurred cost of labor. In november, driver was parking car and removed key from ignition while transmission was in drive. Key released in error causing car to roll into a ravine and hit a tree. Mercedes has done nothing to correct the failure of this important safety feature. …”

NHTSA complaint #10100723, filed 2004-11, 66,000 miles

“While driving 60 MPH and without warning vehicle will shut off. While vehicle was restarted steering wheel locked up due to a malfunction within the computer system. Please provide any further details.”

NHTSA complaint #8005001, filed 2002-03

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2001614%
200049%
1999511%

Other parts of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430

Engine cooling
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430

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