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Mercedes-Benz ML500Model year report

2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
104,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The part named most often is engine, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and electrical system (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 104,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Engine: “Loss of power steering driving on the freeway due to sudden break of idler arm pulley and subsequent shredding of belt. Problem is the pulley is made of plastic and cracked in two, leaving 1/2 the pulley and shredding the belt. This occurred at driving speed of 50 MPH and mileage around 169,650 on 2003 ML500. This was very dangerous. I was able to pull off the freeway as I was driving in the lane nearest freeway exits. Almost impossible but able to steer into a parking lot. Lucky it was 'rush' hour and traffic was slow on surface streets. …”

NHTSA complaint #10960216, filed 2017-03, 169,650 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz ML500. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond intermittently. The ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000...updated 08/06/15 the consumer stated two lines from the reservoir to the hydraulic pressure regulator failed. Further investigation revealed all the brake lines had severe pitting and corrosion , as well as the fuel lines. …”

NHTSA complaint #10730545, filed 2015-06, 81,000 miles

Electrical system: “Driving 45mph on highway, car shuts off completely. Towed to closest gas station, who put a computer on it to find out it was the crank shaft sensor. After completely cooling it will start again, but in less than 10 min it cuts off.”

NHTSA complaint #10622600, filed 2014-08, 111,000 miles

Seats: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 97,000 and 133,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7550%75–10025%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 104,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2006201120132201520172019
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ML-Class · sedan AWDnot rated———3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 104,500 miles and the middle half falls between 97,000 and 133,000 miles; 0% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.