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Electrical systemPart report

2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
11%of 27 total for the year
Median mileage
50,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 11% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.

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.

“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

“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

“The vehicle was parked at a parking lot for approximately 2 hrs. I attempted to start the engine. It started then abruptly stopped. This happened 3 times. Upon the 4th attempt the engine would not start at all. I looked at the dash lights the computer was showing error start. I proceeded to jiggle the key and even used the second master key. The car would not start at all. I talked with mb roadside service they suggested cleaning the key, jiggling the ring around the ignition key area. Nothing worked. After 2 hours of attempts, I had the ml towed by flat bed truck to the nearest mb dealership. …”

NHTSA complaint #10188707, filed 2007-04, 51 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2007111%
2006822%
2004528%
2003323%
2002311%

Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

Steering
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

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