2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine923.1%
- Fuel system923.1%
- Powertrain (other)410.3%
- Body & structure37.7%
- Airbags37.7%
- Electrical37.7%
- Brakes25.1%
- Visibility12.6%
- Interior & seats12.6%
- Exterior lighting12.6%
- Other / unspecified12.6%
- Suspension12.6%
- Tires & wheels12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE INTERSTATE WHEN WE STARTED TO SMELL AN ODD SMELL. WE PULLED INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHERE WE STARTED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL DRIVEWAY, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED 911 AND HOTEL STAFF TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT IT CONTINUED TO GROW. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED.
ENGINE COOLER SEAL LEAKING MASSIVELY AND LEAKING OIL IN TURBO.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL BADLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REMOVED SOME OF THE FUEL BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
ENGINE LIGHT CODE RELATED TO DEFECTIVE HEATER ELEMENT IN BLUETEC FLUID TANK. MERCEDES STATES IT IS AN EMISSIONS SYSTEM BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER EMISSIONS WARRANTY. NO CHANGE IN VEHICLE PERFORMANCE, 35,000 MILES.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE COOLER SEAL LEAKING MASSIVELY AND LEAKING OIL IN TURBO.
ML320 BLUETEC, RANDOMLY LOSES POWER. THE POWER WILL BE RESTORED ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 7 TIMES FOR REPAIR OF THIS ONE ISSUE, INCLUDING TWICE IN A STATE WITH LIMITED POWER. DEALER HAS DONE MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES, TURBO REPLACEMENT, EXHAUST VALVES REPLACEMENT AND THE ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT. ON ONE OF THE LAST OCCASIONS THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR LOST POWER WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ON TO THE HWY. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN ME BEING REAR ENDED BY A BIG RIG. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE I WAS REAR ENDED. THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECTIFIED. AS OF 02/17/2014 THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear coil springs rusted through and broke resulting in greatly diminished vehicle stability, especially in emergency maneuvers. Have had numerous repair facilities evaluate, including the dealer. All have refused to replace rear springs due to safety risk
OUR VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE INTERSTATE WHEN WE STARTED TO SMELL AN ODD SMELL. WE PULLED INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHERE WE STARTED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL DRIVEWAY, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED 911 AND HOTEL STAFF TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT IT CONTINUED TO GROW. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER (COURTESY AUTOMOTIVE CENTER, (530) 345-9444) WAS CALLED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL - ALL THE MERCEDES BENZ LOCATIONS I CALLED (PORTLAND, BEAVERTON, TIGARD, HILLSBOROUGH AND WILSONVILLE), ARE NOT ACCEPTING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT AS THEY CLAIM THEY DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED PARTS TO DO IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE INTERSTATE WHEN WE STARTED TO SMELL AN ODD SMELL. WE PULLED INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHERE WE STARTED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A HOTEL DRIVEWAY, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED 911 AND HOTEL STAFF TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT IT CONTINUED TO GROW. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED.
ISSUES WITH SUNROOF MB HAS DONE A RECALL ON ALL MODELS OTHER THAN "M" CLASS I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2009 ML 320
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR (L/F) FAILED ON HIGHWAY AT 50MPH. ALL BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAR SKIDDED TO A HALT! LUCKILY NO TRAFFIC OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MB DEALER. MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ... THEY HAVE UPDATED THESE SENSORS BUT ARE NOT REPLACING THEM UNDER WARRANTY (AND OF COURSE THEY ARE GETTING ABOUT $450 PER SENSOR)! MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THESE SENSORS!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL UNIT, HEAT ELEMENT AND DOOR LOCK FAILED. UPDATED 05/07/15*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GLOW PLUG CONTROL UNIT, HEAT ELEMENT AND DOOR LOCK FAILED. UPDATED 05/07/15*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLEAR HEADLIGHT LENS COVER GETS WET ON INSIDE EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO RAIN CAUSING LIGHT FROM HEADLAMP TO BE DIFFUSED AND RESTRICTING REACH OF BEAM. MANUFACTURER SAYS LEAVE HEADLIGHT ON DISSIPATE MOISTURE, HOWEVER SEEMS UNSAFE WHILE MOISTURE PRESENT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES ML 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER HITCH FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AT THE SEAMS WHILE GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY RUST OF THE HITCH. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT USE A DIFFERENT AND LARGER VEHICLE TO HAUL A TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE WAS ADHERING TO THE HAILING SPECIFICATIONS LISTED FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT STATED REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V242000 (TRAILER HITCHES). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear coil springs rusted through and broke resulting in greatly diminished vehicle stability, especially in emergency maneuvers. Have had numerous repair facilities evaluate, including the dealer. All have refused to replace rear springs due to safety risk
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN FEBRUARY OF 2012 WE HAD A TIRE FAILURE-TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES WE WERE SOLD AS 'RUN FLAT' WERE IN FACT MOEXTENDED BY BRIGDESTONE. THIS TIRE HAS A VERY LIMITED RUN LOW ABILITY THAT ALLOWS 18-30 MILES AT 30 MPH AND 10 PSI. WE WERE TOLD WE HAD RUN FLATS THAT ALLOWED OPERATION AT 50MPH FOR 50 MILES AT ZERO PSI. MERCEDES AND BRIDGESTONE DENIED ANY LIABILITY. THIS FRAUD WILL PUT SOMEONE ELSE IN DANGER AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE WARNED. WE HAVE SINCE REPLACED PSEUDO RUN FLATS W REAL RUN FLATS AND WILL DO NO FURTHER BUSINESS WITH MERCEDES BENZ. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .