2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 38%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 38% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 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.
“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“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“Takata recall. Power steering brake issue, power steering hose became detached during vehicle operation, could not steer vehicle. Transmission and radio drain, car cut off on me during driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10887829, filed 2016-07, 150,000 miles“Engine keeps getting over-heated even after a new engine fan has been replaced. However, after its replacement I took it to two mercedes dealership to re-inspect and make adjustment to their installment of the fan but it keeps getting overheated. I also had a new water coolant tank installed but it is also leaking out the coolant and showing the warning light. These events happen after I top up the coolant tank and drive around 50 miles, then the overheating starts and the tank starts becoming empty.”
NHTSA complaint #11072930, filed 2018-02“Notes taken on phone by bowman, odi, NHTSA: vehicle shuts off after impact with irregular road surfaces condition such as pothole, transversing a change road grades / surfaces such as speed bumps, etal. Vehicle can be immediately restarted after shut-off. One incident allegedly occurred when attempting to merging onto interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #10461541, filed 2012-06Related service bulletins
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant…
- 10135598Mar 25, 2015Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor"
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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