2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 recalls and problems

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 has 1 recall and 88 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is service brakes.

How the 2002 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 10 ML320 model years — 3rd most.

1recalls
88complaints
4crashes
8fires
6injuries
89,670median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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1 recall

Suspension

Sep 10, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V290000 · 870 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: Passenger vehicles. The left front upper control arm May not meet the specified strength requirements.

Original NHTSA wording

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFIED STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS.

Risk: The control arm could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THE CONTROL ARM COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the left front upper control arm. Owner notification began September 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Service Brakes24
Steering24
Electrical System19
Vehicle Speed Control11
Electronic Stability Control10
Engine8
Exterior Lighting6
Seats5
Suspension5
Unknown or other4

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2003: 9 complaints20032004: 3 complaints2005: 3 complaints20052006: 5 complaints2007: 4 complaints20072008: 10 complaints102009: 10 complaints20092010: 8 complaints2011: 5 complaints20112012: 2 complaints2013: 5 complaints20132014: 2 complaints2015: 3 complaints20152016: 7 complaints2017: 4 complaints20172018: 4 complaints2019: 1 complaints20192020: 1 complaints2022: 1 complaints20222024: 1 complaints20241

NHTSA investigations

Brake lamp switch failure.

PE10050 · opened Dec 21, 2010 · closed May 4, 2011 · led to recall 11V208000
Summary

ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on ev…

2002 vs. other Mercedes-Benz ML320 years

2000: 166 complaints20001662001: 136 complaints20012002: 88 complaints20022003: 22 complaints20032005: 5 complaints20052006: 1 complaints20062007: 16 complaints20072008: 21 complaints20082009: 28 complaints20092011: 1 complaints20111

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320, the latest from Sep 10, 2001 (suspension). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention service brakes (24), steering (24), electrical system (19). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.