Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling31
- Electrical system21
- Visibility17
- Fuel system, gasoline15
- Service brakes, hydraulic13
- Structure12
- Power train10
- Seat belts8
- Air bags7
- Vehicle speed control7
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 16 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10181124 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R |
| 10181123 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D |
| 10167577 | Since 12/2012 (model 166) and since 06/2013 (model 242) the glass breakage loops are no longer in the side windows and rear window. Suitable interior protection ensures that the interior monitoring function continues to operate correctly. |
| 10167564 | Customer experiences low battery conditions, resulting in jump starts, and eventually requiring battery replacement. |
| 10167563 | The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30). |
| 10167553 | Combination message: "Clean fuel filter" is displayed. The fault code 162500 (water level message - Bosch) or P226997 (water level message - Delphi) or 171600 (filter load - Bosch) is stored in the engine control unit. |
| 10166990 | Thumping noises from front axle when driving over bumps on road. |
| 10166976 | Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual" |
| 10135598 | Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor" |
| 10052151 | XENTRY (MERCEDES): RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE SYSTEM, WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROAD AND WHEN ACCELERATING OR BRAKING, THERE WOULD BE CRACKING NOISES. MODELS 164, 251. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10051989 | MERCEDES: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP SHOULD BE REPLACE, UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, DUE TO POWER STEERING LEAKAGE FROM CONNECTION TO POWER STEERING COOLER. MODELS 1998-2003 163.154, (ML320, 430, 55, 500, 350). *PE |
| 10044181 | XENTRY: RATTLING/THUMPING NOISES FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING ON ROUGH ROADS OR WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD UNDULATIONS. NO MODEL YEARS GIVEN. ALSO INCLUDED MODELS 168 AND 172. *JS |
| 10037985 | MERCEDES-BENZ: THE LOAD COMPARTMENT ROLLER BLIND HAS CATCH BOLTS LOOSE OR BROKEN FROM IMPROPER FORCE WHEN USING. *RM |
| 10034608 | MERCEDES: THE ELECTRICALLY FOLDING 3RD SEAT ROW MAKES NOISES WHILE FOLDING UP AND DOWN, OR THE FOLDING FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. A WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT LOCKING THE 3RD SEAT ROW MAY ALSO APPEAR IN THE DISPLAY. *PE |
| 10034152 | MERCEDES: BATTERY SYMBOL AND SERVICE REQUIRED (IN WHITE). FAULT MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED IF THE CHARGE LEVEL IS TOO LOW OR THE PARK PAWL ADDITIONAL BATTERY IS DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION FAULT CODE FC 9061 AND/OR FC 9062 IS STORED IN THE FRONT SAM. *PE |
| 10033074 | XENTRY: OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER RETURNS TO END POSITION. DUE TO A BENT PIN IN THE DYNAMIC BALANCER, THE SUPPORT SPRING OF THE BEARING BRACKET CAN SLIDE OUT OF PLACE OR BECOME UNHOOKED. MODELS 164, 251, 166, 204, 212. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 2/1/12. *PE UPDATED 10/3/12. *PE UPDATED 10/21/13. *PE |
| 10033070 | XENTRY (MERCEDES): ENGINE WARNING LAMP IS CURRENTLY ON OR WAS ON AND A DELAY FAULT OF THE CAMSHAFT ADJUST TO CURRENT OR STORED IN THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. MODELS 171, 203, 209, 211, 219, 221, 216, 230, 164, 251, AND 403. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10032725 | MERCEDES: ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), STABILITY CONTROL (SR). REFERENCES REVISED AND REFERENCE TO AF DELETED/SUPERSEDES DTB TB 42.45/42. ESP LAMP ON. CONTACT FAULT AT CONNECTION FOR ESP CONTROL UNIT MK25 (N47). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10032707 | MERCEDES: ENSURING UNOBSTRUCTED MOVEMENT FOR THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. WHEN INSTALLING THE LEFT OR RIGHT FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR IT TO HAVE UNRESTRICTED, UNOBSTRUCTED MOVEMENT. *PE |
| 10029105 | MERCEDES BENZ: FUEL LOSS AT PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE AND/OR POOR ENGINE RUNNING CHARACTERISTICS (SHAKES, KNOCKS, SURGES, CHANGES TO LIP HOME MODE, POOR OUTPUT, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, COMBUSTION NOISE, VEHICLE STALLS). MAY BE CAUSED BY MALFUNCTION AT PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE (PRV) DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION. *PE |
| 10028686 | MERCEDES: AIR MATIC VISIT WORKSHOP DISPLAYED WITHIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. MODELS 164, 211, 219, 221 AND 251. INCLUDED 4MATIC, AMG (COMPRESSOR) AMG, BLUETEC AND WAGON. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE UPDATED 9/18/09. *PE |
| 10028664 | MERCEDES: A NONFUNCTIONAL BLOWER MOTOR (BLOWER MOTOR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY) OR WATER DROPS IN FRONT PASSENGER FOOTWELL AFTER ENGINE WASH. CAUSED BY AN INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF AIR/WATER BOX WHEN WATER IS USED WHEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS CLEANED NEAR RIGHT SIDE OF FIREWALL. |
| 10025663 | SLOW ACCELERATION WITH GAS PEDAL HESITATION. MODELS 164.122/8SS (ML 320 AND GL320); 211.022 (E320); 251.122 (4320). YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10025648 | RATTLING/THUMPING NOISE ON ROUGH ROADS AND/OR KNOCKING NOISE WHEN MOVING STEERING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ON ALL MODEL 164 AND 251 VEHICLES. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10025647 | WATER ENTRY INTO VEHICLE INTERIOR FOR ALL MODEL 164 VEHICLES. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
PE03058 · Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleysopened 17 Dec 2003 · closed 22 Apr 2004
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation