Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling18
- Power train8
- Steering6
- Electrical system5
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Unknown or other2
- Suspension2
- Fuel system, other1
- Engine1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430.
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 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 606282 | COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *TT |
| 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). |
| 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" |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 10033607 | MERCEDES BENZ: CHECK FOR INSTALLATION OF SPACER BETWEEN BRAKE AND FUEL LINE, INSTALL IF NECESSARY. THE SPACER BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND FUEL LINE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. CHECK FOR PRESENCE OF A SPACER, AND IF MISSING, INSTALL THE SPACER. CHECK THE BRAKE LINE FOR CHAFE MARKS FROM THE FUEL LINE AND REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE IF NECESSARY. MODEL 163. *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 |
| 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 |
| 10022893 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ UPDATED 8/28/08. *PE |
| 10020460 | PLAY IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. MODELS 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. MERCEDES BENZ. *KB UPDATED 5/13/09. *PE |
| 10019967 | FLOW NOISES FROM AREA OF POWER STEERING PUMP AND/OR FOAMING OF POWER STEERING OIL IN RESERVOIR. ON MERCEDES BENZ ML AND R CLASS MODELS. *AK |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
EA08009 · Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsopened 28 Apr 2008 · closed 16 Dec 2009
BRAKE LINE CHAFE
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