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Mercedes-Benz ML430Model year report

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 Problems

Complaints
44filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
104,124miles, 32 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430. The part named most often is brakes, with 23 complaints (52% of the total), followed by electronic stability control (7) and electrical system (6). 32 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 104,124 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 33 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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: Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I was driving on interstate 285 east at a speed of 70mph suddenly the the bas/esp warning light came on and my car automatically applied brakes and the car couldn't run. So I turned of the engine and started the car again and everything went back to normal except the cruise control stopped working and bas/esp waring lights are still on but the car is running. How do I fix the cruise control and the bas/esp warning lights?”

NHTSA complaint #10715649, filed 2015-05, 153,100 miles

Electronic stability control: “Re: 2001 mb ML430 electronic braking sensor the front passenger brake initially locked up at low speed upon acceleration. After stopping and turning the vehicle off and back on the system was back to normal. Then one day I was traveling at near 70 MPH in the passing lane of an interstate highway when the front driver brake locked up and brake tire smoke billowed from my vehicle which caused traffic behind me to swerve and brake behind and on the side of me. I proceeded to pull off onto the shoulder of the highway and turned my vehicle off and back on, after which my vehicle operated normally. …”

NHTSA complaint #11035778, filed 2017-10, 125,000 miles

Electrical system: “There is an active recall for the all activity module on 2001 m class vehicles. There is an extensive amount of data that owners from the release of the mercedes benz ML430 have had problems identical to those in the active recall. When I call mercedes, they say my car is not impacted. Based on the number of issues and history on 2001 m class all activity modules, I feel this recall should extend to all 2001 m class cars.”

NHTSA complaint #10549512, filed 2013-10, 117,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Safety concern - yesterday while traveling at 65mph locked on cruise control, the cruise control failed to disengage when the brake pedal was pressed. Instead, upon releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle began accelerating back to 65mph and almost caused me to ran into the truck in front of me. I slammed on the brakes to bring the car to a stop to avoid rear ending the car in front of me, at which time the bas/esp light came on. Again, the cruise failed to disengage since I could feel the car dragging while the brake pedal was pushed down. …”

NHTSA complaint #10332201, filed 2010-05, 86,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

9% of the 32 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 131,200 miles.

0%0–103%10–256%25–5013%50–7525%75–10038%100–15016%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (32 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 104,124 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’03’06’095’11’135’16’25
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 2001 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 automatic141916$5,150

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 2001 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. 33 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 33 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 have?

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 23 complaints (52% of the total), followed by electronic stability control with 7.

Has the 2001 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 (ML430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 reported?

Among the 32 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 104,124 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 131,200 miles; 9% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.