2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 26%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,384miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 26% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,384 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.
“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“In march of 2003 mercedes initiated a recall for my vehicle for a problem with the power steering hose, the car was taken in for servicing and the problem supposedly fixed. On april 2nd of 2008 I took the car to mercedes because it was making a really loud sound I was told that the power steering hose was leaking a $665 fix. I had the work done. On april 15th of 2008 the check engine light came on took the car back to mercedes and was told the power steering pump needed to be replaced a $1211 fix. I was furious at this point. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259385, filed 2009-02, 102,041 miles“Power steering fluid leaking in small drips when parked. Hard to steer at times and makes loud noise. Have concerns that steering may be affected and cause total loss of steering.”
NHTSA complaint #10503612, filed 2013-03, 169,700 miles“This car was purchased in sacramento ca in aug of 06, at this time we also purchased an extended 2 year warranty which we understood to be expiring in aug of 08. The car worked fine with no issues until sept of 07. I started the car at 4 am to head to work and it make a really loud noise, it got worse when I turned the steering wheel. I contacted the mb dealer and was told to bring the car into the dealership. I expressed concern about not wanting to drive the car making that sound, he assured me that it was fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249894, filed 2008-11“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ML500. The contact stated that the seal in the power steering pump failed and the vehicle began to lose fuel. The repair shop replaced the power steering pump at the cost of $525.22. The vehicle was repaired according to a recall five years prior to this failure. Ten days later, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 03v121000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). …”
NHTSA complaint #10259799, filed 2009-02, 40,752 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10167002Feb 25, 2014Creaking noise when making vertical or longitudinal adjustment to electrical steering column
- 10052151Apr 24, 2013Xentry (mercedes): rattling noise coming from the area of the steering column tube system, when driving over rough road and when accelerating or braking, there would be cracking…
- 10051989Feb 15, 2013Mercedes: see document search button for owner letter. The lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power steering leakage from…
- 10020460Dec 4, 2008Play in the rack and pinion steering system. Models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. Mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09.
- 10028645Dec 2, 2008Mercedes: chrome plating peeling on decorative caps on the steering wheel spokes, this is due to less than optimal adhesion between chrome plating and base material. Models 164…
- 10025648Apr 22, 2008Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both directions on all model 164 and 251 vehicles. Model years unknown.
- 10019967Apr 26, 2006Flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir. On mercedes benz ml and r class models.
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500
6 complaintsElectrical system
3 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