1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys (10.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys complaints here are 2.0× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys | 13 · 10.4% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 12 · 9.6% | not available | — |
| Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 12 · 9.6% | not available | — |
| Steering | 8 · 6.4% | not available | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 · 5.6% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 6 · 4.8% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 125 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“FAILURE OF HARMONIC BALANCER, AN EVENT THAT HAS OCCURRED ON MANY MERCEDES WITH THIS DESIGN FOR THE HARMONIC BALANCER. NEW COVER, OIL PAN. AND BALANCER…”NHTSA complaint 10100735 — filed 11/29/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
“FAULTY HARMONIC BALANCER IN FLY WHEEL 1999 ML 320, 66,000 MILES NHTSA ACTION NO.PE03058.”NHTSA complaint 10086740 — filed 08/12/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
“THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND…”NHTSA complaint 10083445 — filed 07/21/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys issues are the most-reported category, cited in 13 of 125 NHTSA complaints (10.4%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (12), steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections (12), steering (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?
125 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
