Mercedes-Benz ML500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 104 consumer complaints across the 5 model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML500 (2002–2007) that have at least 5 complaints. 2006 has the most, with 37. Across all years, the part named most often is steering (21 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All ML500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 9 | 123,000 | 2 | 85 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 37 | 71,000 | 2 | 93 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 18 | 90,000 | 0 | 61 | — | Falling |
| 2003 | 13 | 104,500 | 0 | 60 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 27 | 98,863 | 1 | 58 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Steering21 20%
- Electrical system20 19%
- Brakes19 18%
- Seats14 13%
- Transmission and drivetrain10 9.5%
- Engine8 7.6%
- Vehicle speed control7 6.7%
- Other or unknown6 5.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2006: “My car was parked and hadn't moved since the day before. I was just sitting in front passenger seat, opened door to exit when sab deployed hitting me square on my frontal lobe aneurism coil.ambulance took me to hospital. Just had fully serviced by mercedes 2 wks prior. Sudden drastic eyesight decline”
NHTSA complaint #11385363, filed 2020-12, 100,000 miles2003: “Last time I used the heated seats, turned them on the war I always have, but driving down the road my leg felt like it was on fire. One spot in my seat became extremely hot and was smoking. Immediately I turned the seats off and have never used them again. Called dealer to ask if there was a recall, but no.”
NHTSA complaint #10622602, filed 2014-08, 98,000 miles2007: “I got into my car and turned on the seat warmer. After 10 minutes of driving on the highway I could smell smoke but thought it was outside the vehicle. A few seconds later I felt a burning sensation on my lower back. I reached my left hand behind me to check and felt something hot, when I pulled my hand out my finger tips were covered in melted leather. The smoke by then increased, I shut the seat warmer off and exited the highway as quickly as possible.”
NHTSA complaint #10958297, filed 2017-03, 123,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,963 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
657 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology