2003 Mercedes-Benz ML
No clear pattern 1.3% of complaints about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2003 vehicle, but with only 79 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is steering (20 complaints), typically at 6.4 yr or about 74,072 miles.
Covers 3 variants: ML350 (31), ML320 (31), ML500 (19)
- Complaints
- 79
- Median age at failure
- 6.4 yr
- Median mileage
- 81,000 n=59
- Crash / fire / tow
- 20.3% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 0
Seats 18,000 mi 6 mo in service crash / fire / tow
THE HEATED PASSENGER SEAT OVER HEATED AND BURNED A HOLE ON THE FAR RIGHT EDGE OF THE LEATHER CAPTAIN SEAT.*JB
Seats 14,500 mi 1.4 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HEATED SEATS CAUSED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO THE DRIVER'S BOTTOM. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S SEAT. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSE SOME REDNESS TO ANOTHER DRIVER'S BOTTOM. *NM AFTER VISITING DOCTOR FOR TREATMENT OF BURNS, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER THE SAME WEEK. WAS INFORMED BY THREE DIFFERENT MECHANIC'S PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND OR RESOLVED. "PICTURES ENCLOSED" THE VEHICLE SEATS WERE HEATED.
Seats 17,000 mi 1.9 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH A NEWER MODEL.*AK
Steering 62,000 mi 5.3 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT EXITED AN OFFRAMP AT 10 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND LATER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND ONE OF THE O-RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.