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Mercedes-Benz ML500Model year report

2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
90,000miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by steering (5) and seats (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 61 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 7 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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “This could be related to a software problem in all ml class. 1. Obd system cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly 2. Stuck fuel-level sensor cause to report incorrectly 3. The speedometer out of tolerance is reporting incorrectly 4. Obd system is reporting incorrectly causing faults in systems.”

NHTSA complaint #10668448, filed 2014-12, 125,500 miles

Steering: “2004 mercedes benz ML500. Vehicle was serviced / repaired by zembrick mercedes in adison wisconsin on feb 3 2011. The repairs / service included replacing a seal on the power steering pump. Within days of the repair the power steering unit leaked all it's fluid from a hose clamp. Found the recall 08v465000 for this problem which per the recall covered all 1998-2004 mb ml's . However, the dealership and mbusa states this recall is VIN specific and this vehicle is not covered under this recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10382577, filed 2011-02, 110,000 miles

Seats: “I was driving on the highway and the heated seat was turned on the passenger side of my mercedes ml 500 with my 17 daughter sitting in the seat. The car started to smell and my daughters seat felt hot to her. She tried to move her self over and burnt the palm of her hand on the side of the seat. The heated seat had been burning at a very hot temperature and was melting the leather on the seat. I immediately turned off the seat and opened the windows to help cool it off. It took 30 minutes or more for the seat to cool off in that spot. …”

NHTSA complaint #10445967, filed 2012-01, 141,000 miles

Brakes: “Overly excessive brake pad and brake rotor wear associated with 2004 mercedes ML500 SUV. Replacement/repair cost not covered by mercedes new vehicle warranty and repair costs in excess of $1300.00.”

NHTSA complaint #10155406, filed 2006-04, 18,284 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,284 and 141,000 miles.

21%0–107%10–250%25–5021%50–750%75–10029%100–15021%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 90,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2005200720112013320162021
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 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 2004 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. 61 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 61 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by steering with 5.

Has the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 18,284 and 141,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.