2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 11%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 11% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,500 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.
“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“I own a 2002 mercedes benz ML500. A week ago I experienced sudden acceleration while driving on an interstate. As I was accelerating the car suddenly accelerated (the gas pedal went to the floor) and I was unable to stop the car despite fully depressing the break pedal. The car reached 80+ MPH and I was forced to drive off of the road to avoid an accident (I was able to slow it to about 50 MPH by fully depressing the break pedal). I was finally able to stop the car by shifting into neutral (it has an automatic transmission; when I shifted to neutral the engine immediately decelerated). …”
NHTSA complaint #10150037, filed 2006-02Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 11% |
| 2002 | 3 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsElectrical system
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