2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 problems
NHTSA has received 33 complaints about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500, and 21% of them involve brakes. Next are steering (21%) and cruise control (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 33 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 26 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 | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 26 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 87,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 80% of model years in our database.
It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
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.
Transmission stuck in first gear, three attempts to remedy by owner, finally on fourth attempt.(placing in park and turning off an on ignition) transmission finally woked normally. Contacted manufacturer through roadside assistance told to return vehicle to dealer, contacted dealer, was told that they have seen this problem on this model several times. Thought I should advise someone at nhsta. Dt
The gears jammed when the consumer attempted to put the vehicle in reverse. The vehicle would rev to about 2000 rpm's or mor but the vehicle still wouldn't move. After several attempt the vehicle would eventually move. The doors were difficult to close. The vehicle consumed alot of fuel. The fuel gauge didnt work properly. Steering wheel didn't disengage from the ignition and excessive reflection from glare shield onto the windshield. *nlm
Warranty issues and/or manufacturing defects that should be covered by warranty. At the first 10,000 miles, the consumer noticed brake travel was too long and was advised by an service advisor that this was normal. However at less than 3,000 miles, the brakes were still not adequate and there was a squeaking noise from the rear brakes when braking.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ml500. The contact stated that the seal in the power steering pump failed and the vehicle began to lose fuel. The repair shop replaced the power steering pump at the cost of $525.22. The vehicle was repaired according to a recall five years prior to this failure. Ten days later, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 03v121000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections).
Power steering fluid leaking in small drips when parked. Hard to steer at times and makes loud noise. Have concerns that steering may be affected and cause total loss of steering.