2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 24% of complaints. After that come fuel system (21%) and drivetrain & axles (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 42 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 24% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 58,000 miles 29 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 | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 7 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 29 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 58,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a fire.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the Mercedes-Benz ML320 with enough data (18 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 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.
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.
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.
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.