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Mercedes-Benz ML500Model year report

2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Problems

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
98,863miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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
14 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The part named most often is steering, with 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and electrical system (3). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 35% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,863 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 58 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 3 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: Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “My car lost all of the power steering fluid and I almost had an accident. I lost almost all steering control. It is related to mercedes benz recall #2003-040005. I received a letter about this recall and it said my car had already been fixed. They said that is what their records show. That is not true and now I almost lost my life because of this defect and I am quite upset. My car is completely immobile.”

NHTSA complaint #10261055, filed 2009-03, 135,257 miles

Brakes: “While driving, ML500 began to brake randomly . Also ABS turned on while stopping and accelerating. Also brakes were constantly screeching. Warning lights for ABS, bas, and washer fluid. Fluid level was fine. I told dealer about these problems before warranty had expired. They ran a diagnostics test and found nothing was wrong. They advised me to bring the vehicle in should the same events occur. (the random breaking began to occur after warranty expired). The problem continued to persist and with the failure of ABS system, I brought the ML500 back to the service center. …”

NHTSA complaint #10189784, filed 2007-05, 77,000 miles

Electrical system: “I, 12 years ago was driving my ml 500 mercedes on us 23 between ann arbor, michigan and sylvania, in ohio. My car suddenly lost all power. I fortunately was able to swerve to the right and the car stopped. This occurred twice. I have since sold my car several years ago. I called my dealership in sylvania at the time, and they checked with mercedes, who relayed that it has to do with the weight of the keys on my keychain. This sounded eerily similar to what apparently has occurred with the GM cars being recalled. …”

NHTSA complaint #10577315, filed 2014-04, 50,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “While driving at 70 MPH with cruise control on esp/bas light came on. Cruise control failed to disengage when brake pedal pushed to slow vehicle, causing engine to race forcing vehicle to speed up almost crashing into vehicle ahead. Cruise control could only be disengaged by putting transmission into neutral and depressing brake. This is first time failure occurred. Dealer replaces stop lamp switch (part is available), recommended replacing brake pressure sensor and bas release switch at a cost to me over $1,000. I believe this is a serious safety matter.”

NHTSA complaint #10308930, filed 2010-02, 110,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

35% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,014 and 110,500 miles.

15%0–1015%10–255%25–505%50–7510%75–10035%100–15015%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: 98,863 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’02’04’07’097’11’14’19’23
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 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 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
ML500 4WD/AWD5.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic131614$5,850

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

Recall details for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 58 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 58 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20079123,0002—14—Not enough data
20063771,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20041890,0000—14—Falling
200313104,5000—14—Not enough data
20022798,8631—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mercedes-Benz ML500 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 (ML500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,863 miles and the middle half falls between 22,014 and 110,500 miles; 35% 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.