2001 Mercedes Benz ML320 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 195
- 2 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- 33 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 0
- none on record
- Reported harm
- 19 reported crashes · 17 injuries · 7 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#2,634
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Mercedes Benz median
+26
median 169 across 69 Mercedes Benz records
Vs 1999-2003
-55
median 250 complaints in 747 records
Top component share
17%
Electronic Stability Control (esc): 33 complaints
What owners report fails — 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 33
- SERVICE BRAKES 26
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12
- STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS 10
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320 reliable?
NHTSA has 195 consumer complaints on record for the 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. The most-reported problem area is electronic stability control (esc) (33 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320?
Owners most often report problems with: electronic stability control (esc) (33), service brakes (26), vehicle speed control (13), service brakes, hydraulic (12). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.