2009 Mercedes Benz ML320

Do not drive

Owners filed 28 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine5
000
Fuel System, Diesel4
000
Air Bags3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline2
000
Electrical System2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Trailer Hitches1
000
Tires1
000
Suspension1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum24V298000Do not drive
Filed Apr 26, 202415,604 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum22V315000Do not drive
Filed May 9, 2022350,294 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk. Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V081000
Filed Feb 11, 2016711,159 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 4, 2022CA

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.

Suspension
Filed Jun 9, 2022SC

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

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Feb 9, 202089,000 milesVA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 12, 2020100,000 milesWA

ISSUES WITH SUNROOF MB HAS DONE A RECALL ON ALL MODELS OTHER THAN "M" CLASS I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2009 ML 320

Air Bags
Filed Jun 8, 2018CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 8, 2017OR

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.

Structure
Filed Oct 12, 201784,251 milesCA

CPSC:2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 WITH APPROVED, DEALER INSTALLED TRAILER TOW HITCH PURCHASED USED ON 9/05/2017. RATED CAPACITY IS 7200 LBS. ON MONDAY, 9/11/2017, ATTACHED AN 2005 AIRSTREAM TRAILER, WEIGHING 5240 LBS. , MOVING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HEARD A LOUD "POP" SOUND. .ON 9/22/2017, AND CONFIRMED AS FAULTY, DUE TO LACK OF PENETRATION AT THE POINT OF WELDS. *BF...UPDATED 11/14/17 *BF UPDATED 10/16/2017*JS UPDATED 7/27/18*JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 23, 201794,542 milesCA

DEALER INSTALLED FLEX-N-GATE TRAILER HITCH, NOT CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V242000. HAVE EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL WELD FAILURE, AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL INFORMATION. WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST EXPANSION OF RECALL TO INCLUDE 2009 MODELS.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 3, 201699,000 milesNC

I WAS SOLD THIS VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 27, 2016, AFTER THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RELEASED. THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION A RECALL, AND I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF A RECALL UNTIL SEARCHING TODAY. SHOULDN'T THE DEALERSHIP HAVE INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL? DO THEY HAVE ANY CULPABILITY FOR NOT SHARING THIS INFORMATION.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 24, 201658,000 milesFL

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
Filed Feb 5, 2016CA

ENGINE COOLER SEAL LEAKING MASSIVELY AND LEAKING OIL IN TURBO.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 4, 201535,000 milesCA

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.

Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2015100,000 milesMA

OIL LEAKING FROM COIL COOLER, 1-2OZ OVERNIGHT ON GROUND + OIL LOSS AT SPEED.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 201545,520 milesFL

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!

Engine
Filed Feb 17, 201560,000 milesWA

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

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Jan 12, 201558,331 milesWA

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING WITH CODE #20BE1B. REPAIR INDICATES NEED OF DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) HEATER REPAIR KIT. DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM IS PART OF EMISSIONS SYSTEM. MB DEALERSHIP SAYS NO WARRANTY FOR REPAIR. INTERNET RESEARCH WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH DEF SYSTEM AROUND 50,000 MILES. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Dec 19, 201464,000 milesVA

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. TOWED TO LOCAL MB DEALER, DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED FUEL PUMP FAILURE. FUEL PUMP REPLACED. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 64000. VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON 4 OTHER OCCASIONS OVER COURSE OF NEXT 8 MONTHS. TWICE THE VEHICLE STARTED THE NEXT DAY. ONCE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE FAILED TO START AGAIN 10/10/14 AND WAS TOWED TO AREA MB DEALER. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED FUEL PUMP FAILURE AGAIN. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AGAIN! APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 145000. WAITING FOR IT TO LEAVE ME STRANDED AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 8, 201450,000 milesWA

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

Engine
Filed Feb 20, 201424,000 milesCA

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

Engine
Filed Jan 22, 2014CA

THIS CAR SHOULD QUALIFY AS A LEMON. WE SPENT OVER $65K ON IT NEW IN JANUARY OF 2009 AND IT HAS EASILY COSTS US $65K TO KEEP IT RUNNING SINCE. SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT BREAKS ON IT EVERY 60 DAYS SINCE OWNING IT. THE TURBO WENT OUT MOST RECENTLY AFTER A BAD OIL SEAL LET OIL INTO IT. $6500! THE CAR MAY HAVE SADLY BEEN CURSED SINCE DAY ONE. OUR SALES PERSON AT MERCEDES BENZ OF SF DIED RIGHT AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. THINGS STARTED TO BREAK IMMEDIATELY AFTER. PEOPLE RAN INTO IT, ETC. IT HAS BEEN THE WORST CAR OWNER EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE. *TR

20 of 28 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20111000Routine
20100100Routine
2009 — this page28310Do not drive
200821200Do not drive
200716220Do not drive
20061000Routine
20055000Routine
200322040Routine
200288180Routine
2001136070Routine
2000166060Routine
1999125020Routine
1998133050Routine

Compare every ML320 year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 26, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.