Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the driver's side front wheel independently braked. The contact stated he had not depressed the brake pedal but heard an abnormal sound from the tire screeching as the wheel had stopped rolling. The contact stated that the ESP traction warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over, turned off, restarted the vehicle, and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure occurred several minutes later. The contact stated that the failure occurred one other time and had not happened again. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
The car brakes suddenly by itself just after the ESB/ABS lights come on along with an exclamation point (!). This has happened randomly at least 4 times since we purchased the car. Once at high speeds on the highway. It appears this problem is common with other owners of Mercedes 2001-2002 ML's. According to the forums below, the problem seems to be a "YAW RATE SENSOR" malfunction or defect. My Mercedes mechanic saw no error codes for this component and it seem extremely expensive (forum states part is $3000) to replace. The https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w163/233486-big-problems-ml320-pls-help-2.html
On numerous occasions occurring in different conditions regarding speed, weather, road conditions, etc., I have had the vehicle pull hard to the right while engaging the front brakes, both while turning the vehicle and on straightaways. When this occurs, the triangle hazard light and ESP lights start flashing. Most often I have been able to pull off to the side of the road, thankfully safely, or on one occasion stop in the middle of the road as the car wouldn't allow me to continue driving which was incredibly dangerous and scary. I have taken it to the dealership who replaced the front brake sensors, which didn't fix the problem, and returned to have them again diagnose the issue and declined their recommendations such as replacing the back brake sensors, until I came upon the repeated issues of the stability sensors failing (specifically the yaw sensor). …
On multiple occasions and numerous different speeds, weather, both driving on a straightaway or turning, and other road conditions, the front brakes have locked up on the car causing it to veer right while engaging the brakes. Most often I have had to pull over, thankfully safely, or on one occasion, stop in the middle of the road to turn the car off to be able to continue driving which is incredibly dangerous and scary. I've taken it to the dealership and they had me replace the brake sensors which were obviously not the problem and then recommended other replacements, since the problem continued, that I declined until I found that this was a common problem with the stability sensors in this vehicle (specifically the yaw sensor). I'm amazed this is not a recall situation and that no one has been seriously injured or killed due to this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the brakes independently engaged and caused the vehicle to veer to the side of the road. The contact mentioned that the ABS warning light illuminated and then the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lamp switch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V208000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
I was driving on a busy intersection in my 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320 when driving the yellow triangle in the speedometer starts to flash and all the breaks lock up, this is followed by a stall, thankfully I was able to pull off to the side of the road without being hit. After doing some research I discovered that many Mercedes ML320 owners were having this same problem. Specifically the yaw rate sensor. This is a serious life threatening issue that can injure or worse yet kill someone. You guys need to do a recall before someone dies!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the front brakes activated independently. The contact noticed that the front rotors were red and hot. The ESP warning light illuminated. The contact disconnected the ESP cable and continued to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000. Updated 7/21/15 updated 10/18/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle felt as if it slammed on the brakes without the contact depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the ebs and ABS warning lights remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle made a loud screeching sound when being driven. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brakes would erroneously activate and abruptly stop the vehicle. The contact indicated that when the failure occurs the bas/ESP sensor light would illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, all of the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the ABS system failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Brake complaints in other ML320 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320, 28% of the model year's 88 complaints. The component named most often is power assist (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 129,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 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.