Most common 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems
Share of the 125 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz ML320 complaints by model year
Best ML320 years: 2005, 2007, 2008. Years to avoid: 1998, 2000, 1999, 2001, 2002. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320:
Engine crankshaft pulley failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all Mercedes-Benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures…
Power steering hose assembly leakage
The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the steering fluid cooler May not provide sufficient clamping force for the connection.the loss of power steering fluid May result in gradual reduction in power steering assist (I.e., increased steering effort) over time, with potential damage to the power steering pump.
What 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 owners say
Engine & cooling all 35 →
I and my 7 year old daughter and her friend were entering my driveway on aug 14,2006, paused to open my garage door from the car and I was slowly moving in. All of a sudden car went out of my control in a flash that I did not even have time to react. It went and hit our other parked car in the garage with such a huge force that the second car literally went and tore the bedroom wall. Our second car is badly damaged on the front, back and one side (scraping a pole in garage) and wall needs fixing too. I truly suspect there is some mechanical problem for the sudden/unintended acceleration that LED to this unexpected behavior. So far we found the ignition got jammed (could not start and had to be towed in), other than the bumper/front damages. Car is still in the body shop for repairs, once finished it will be taken to the dealer for further analysis and check up.
1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 SUV. On Thursday, December 19, my wife was driving the vehicle when suddenly the "harmonic balancer" failed (became detached), causing a complete loss of power to the vehicle, resulting in a disabled vehicle and leaving my wife and family stranded. The "harmonic balancer" is the main pulley wheel which is attached to the crankshaft. This pulley wheel in turn drives all other belt-driven items, such as power steering pump, ac, alternator, water pump, etc. First, this item should be so resilient that failure is nearly impossible, and second, both the tow truck driver and the dealer who is repairing it stated that this type of failure is "not at all surprising or uncommon" on the mb ML320 SUV. …
Steering all 29 →
The contact owns a 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and other various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she refilled the power steering reservoir several times and noted that there was a stain underneath her vehicle after parking overnight. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to a closed NHTSA Action Number: PE3006 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
There was a recall on the steering on my 1999 Mercedes Benz . The Manufacturer said its closed . The steering is leaking and hard to drive and I fear the power steering pump will go out while I am driving the Vehicle. I fear for my safety. How can I get this recall opened and my vehicle fixed .
Transmission & drivetrain
Consumer was able to remove the key from ignition without the vehicle being in park. The consumer stated that she could shift the gear lever to all gears when the key was not in the ignition and engine in an off position. The vehicle rolled down the hill and ran over a mailbox damaging the vehicle and back while the gear lever was still in park. The rear seat belts does not retract and had to be manually pushed back into the mechanism.
Car was in park at the top of the driveway and rolled down my driveway down a hill and crashed into a tree to stop. The car maker sent an investigator out (after a month) who determined it was a defect in the transmission. (I am awaiting their report to me) car is not drivable.
1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 a good car?
Based on 125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 ML320 rates avoid: 4.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the ML320 at the same age. It is one of the ML320 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
The engine & cooling — 35 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys. Next are the steering (29) and transmission & drivetrain (19).
How many recalls does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz ML320?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2007 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998, 2000, 1999, 2001 and 2002. See the full Mercedes-Benz ML320 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.