Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My name is [redacted] and I just had a small accident on June 08th, 2010 in phoenix az. It involved my 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. Facts: on June 8th, 2010 I was traveling at approximately 50 MPH on the freeway (hov lane) when the front right wheel locked. The brakes just engaged without warning and or me activating them. Luckily I the person behind me was able to swerve to avoid me but still clipped the left side of my rear bumper. I believe I'm lucky I did not caused or sustained any serious injury. I took the car to a local Mercedes Benz dealer for service and they told me it could be many things wrong. Mb knows about the problem with the mb ML320's year 1998-2001. The gentlemen @ mb told me that but they will not take any responsibility. He instructed me not to drive the vehicle in the current condition. …
Same story as I've seen thousands of times on the internet and you claim not enough occurrences! I'm on the interstate, going 70 MPH. Weather is good, traffic is light (thank god!) and my breaks slam on. The ABS system kicks in, so I'm able to get over to the shoulder before being rear ended. The triangle warning lamp is lit and the bas / ESP lamp is lit. I try turning the car off and back on, lights go out, I move forward, get up to about 20 MPH and the breaks slam on again. I shut the car off for about 15 minutes while I got out and was investigating the tires and breaks. Get back in, start the vehicle and drive another 45 minutes. Get into town, driving about 25 MPH and they slam on again. I'm able to limp home with the ABS going on and off. I park it for the night. Next day I do some research and see there are thousands of similar complaints. …
On more than one occasion, my 2001 merc Benz ML320 came to a complete stop and dramatically pulled to the right while I was driving at various speeds. The first time happened as I was making a right turn from a stand still. The second time happened as I was traveling at approximately 35-40 MPH. Finally, the last two times occurred while I was on the highway traveling at approximately 65-70 MPH. In all instances, the front brakes absolutely locked and my vehicle came to an approximately complete stop while pulling the steering to the right. Each event was a very frightening episode. Although I kept trying to accelerate, the brakes would not allow it. I had just enough momentum so that I could veer to the safety of the safety lane. The events all happened within a two (2) week period...far, far too frequent for comfort. …
While driving at 50 MPH, vehicle lights started flashing (warning for ESP and ABS) and the vehicle slowed dramatically and pulled to the right... I got to the side of the road and assumed I had a blow out... But all tires were fine and no issues... Turned off vehicle and drove about 13 miles then turned vehicle off for 10 -15 minutes came out and got in vehicle... When I started to go... Orange triangle was still on and if I even touched brakes they all locked up and would even squeal when even touching brake petal. It was 79 degrees, dry on a highway that was a smooth road, in traffic and was almost hit. Updated 05/11/16
Vehicle came to a dead stop when brakes suddenly applied automatically while driving in a straight line at 40mph in heavy freeway traffic. Very difficult to get vehicle off road onto shoulder. ESP/bas light came and remained on until ignition turned off. Now no warning light nor diagnostic code detected. Brake pedal sensor replaced by mb dealer on month ago. An extremely dangerous situation.
While driving at 40 MPH unintended brake application causing loss of control. This has happened numerous times under different speeds and condition. It has happened on curves and straight road conditions. This has been happening since May 2016 at least 15 to 20 times.
2001 Mercedes Benz ML320 without warning the vehicle applies full braking power (without the driver touching the brake pedal) at highway speeds and does not release until the vehicle stops completely. When the event happens, it is violent and sudden and it is very difficult to maintain control of the vehicle. It is very difficult to keep the vehicle in one lane of traffic, making the driver feel like he has to keep the vehicle from going into a spin. Oddly enough, it's the safety system (bas/ESP) that causes the problem. Mb dealer replaced the aam computer and returned the vehicle but we still had the same issues of the brakes lockup on the highway. Now the dealer does not really have any repair options besides replacing all the system components at a very high price. The problem manifests itself at different times and intervals. …
Bas/ESP came on again had a 2001 Mercedes ml 320 ( bought this new in 2001) 63K miles, bas/ESP on acting strangely . First it was replaced by Mercedes dealer in illinois the brake light switch on but then latter it comes again. Before the panel dash board bas/ESP came on, it seems the wheel locked and car is not moving and latter on it bas/exp light on so it is okay to drive the car. What I did I went to the local shop and they replaced again the new brake light switch on (replaced by Mercedes dealer in 10/10/12) into new one original parts. I noticed sometimes that the bas/ESP is on after 90 temperature and stay on until you shut down the car engine. Someone told that in the mb forum that yaw rate sensor is the one that cause the problem of the bas/ESP on. …
This is the 4th or 5th time this has happened to me in the last two years. The first time (jan 2017) happened on a highway outside of washington dc. Luckily I was in the right lane and was able to pull off the road. But before doing so I almost got rear ended by another vehicle that was directly behind me. I sat on side of the road for 15 minutes with car off. When I started up the car, I was able to finish my drive home to south carolina but stayed in the right lane all the way home. 2nd time was in April of 2017 while driving on highway from south carolina to georgia. Pulled over and let it set for awhile. Finished ride to atlanta airport. Week later I drive home from atlanta and it happens again. I bring it to the mechanic and he cant find anything diagnostically. 3rd time while driving home from myrtle beach. I brought it to mechanic and he keeps it for a week. …
While driving on freeway in moderate traffic the car suddenly without any warning violently applied uneven power to different wheels, brake and sped up. Originally I thought we were having an earthquake as I was trying to regain control over car. After about 15 seconds as I slowed car resumed normal operation. About 10 miles later the action repeated making me fear a crash or roll over as I was fighting to regain control and exit freeway. Luckily I was able to exit and gain control. Ended up having car towed 175 miles home. Mechanic at dealership now says it was a defective yaw sensor designed to work in conjunction with the ESP to prevent a roll over. However the defective sensor easily could have caused a roll over or a crash with a less experienced and physically strong driver. Indeed, had my wife been driving I do not know whether she could have controlled the vehicle. …
NHTSA investigations
Electronic stability control malfunction
Odi opened pe07-007 after receiving 4 complaints within a 6 week period alleging incidents of uncommanded brake application in model year (my) 2000 through 2001 Mercedes m class sport utility vehicles.information contained in the reports or gathered in subsequent consumer interviews indicated that the incidents were caused by faults in the electronic stability program (ESP) system which were repaired by replacing…
Traction Control complaints in other ML320 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 26% of the model year's 136 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.