2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320. Lighting is the most reported problem area, at 20% of complaints. After that come electrical system (13%) and engine (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 30 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Lighting 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 95,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 22 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 94,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML320 with enough data (10 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tow hitch weld broke resulting in vehicle accident. Interstate wreck, could have killed myself, my 9 yr old and 4 dogs along w/ any other vehicles that could have struck us.
8/1/2021 accident involving 2008 Mercedes ML320 CDI >recall faulty tow hitch< Mercedes has refused to conduct an investigation and resolve these damages. While injured (both myself and 9 yr old son w/ a heart condition), no serious injuries or fatalities happened during the accident. It resulted in totaling the vehicle and our camper.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz ml320. While the vehicle was moving through the automated car wash conveyor at approximately 1 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 100,000.
My 2008 is having the same problem as this 2009. Mercedes benz is recalling 16,130 my 2009 m-class w164 passenger vehicles equipped with the optional power lift gate. As a result of a faulty seal around the rear tail lamp assembly, water may enter the rear compartment containing the spare tire. Water contamination of the control unit for the power lift gate can result in disabling of the power lift gate motor. Hazard:water will cause a short circuit which could lead to a fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz ml320. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to open. In addition, the rear middle brake light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.