2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 6%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 6% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,500 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.
“Car gets stuck in the park gear and has to be towed. During the second incident, a mechanic put a pen into a slot in the gear box and it slipped into neutral. This is a defect the manufacturer knew about, otherwise how did they know what to do?”
NHTSA complaint #10175521, filed 2006-12, 1,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10164811Aug 5, 2019Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of rear axle
- 10019822Jan 1, 2007Inspect transmission pilot bushing at electrochydraulic unit and replace if necessary. The transmission pilot bushing may have been installed on the control units with…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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