Most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems
Share of the 21 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 →
2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
What 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 owners say
Lights
Water entered the vehicle (rain) standing water in the spare tire area of the car. The windshield wiper quit working. Got error messages on the dash rear hatch open, checked rear hatch was closed and it would not open either manually or using the remote opener or the button in the car, multiple error messages rear brake lights left right side and trailer, error message SRS failure, fuel gauge quit working, locks not working..... Parked the car it was raining unable to drive, the next day drove it to a mechanic who found 1" of standing water in the spare tire well. …
While driving the Mercedes ML320 at night the vehicle suddenly posted the following message "battery voltage is too low. Please start the engine. Otherwise, comand will shut off in 3 minutes." the engine was running at this time and the vehicle was in motion. A short time later the headlights on the vehicle suddenly went out. I turned on the flashers and they also went out in a short time. The vehicle was parked and would not re-start. About 15 minutes went by and the vehicle was started and fully functional. No signs of codes or reduced lighting performance. Also, no signs or reduced battery perfomance was observed.
Engine & cooling
A seal for the engine oil cooler failed. The cooler leaked oil onto the under-engine pan and was not detected as a leak on the garage floor. Had the cooler failed completely it would have created a safety issue in traffic. The seal failure appears to be a common problem but should not occur under normal use, which is how this vehicle is used.
Both rear brake light assemblies have failed. These failures increase the likelihood of a rear end collision. When the left assembly failed in 2011, I attributed it to bad luck. When the right assembly failed at 66000 miles in 2012, it occurred to me that Mercedes May have a problem that deserves a recall action. Instead of costing about $5 to $10 for light bulbs these assemblies cost about $300 each to replace and install. $600 is enough to cause some people to not repair them and thus create a safety hazard. At 65000 miles I also encountered some very expensive to repair oil leaks that make messes on my driveway and cause water pollution when the oil runs off. Have you had any reports of rear seal leaks, oil pan leaks or oil cooler leaks on this vehicle?
Electrical system
Water entered the vehicle (rain) standing water in the spare tire area of the car. The windshield wiper quit working. Got error messages on the dash rear hatch open, checked rear hatch was closed and it would not open either manually or using the remote opener or the button in the car, multiple error messages rear brake lights left right side and trailer, error message SRS failure, fuel gauge quit working, locks not working..... Parked the car it was raining unable to drive, the next day drove it to a mechanic who found 1" of standing water in the spare tire well. …
My 2008 is having the same problem as this 2009. Mercedes Benz is recalling 16,130 my 2009 m-class w164 passenger vehicles equipped with the optional power lift gate. As a result of a faulty seal around the rear tail lamp assembly, water May enter the rear compartment containing the spare tire. Water contamination of the control unit for the power lift gate can result in disabling of the power lift gate motor. Hazard:water will cause a short circuit which could lead to a fire. Remedy:dealers will replace the seal of the rear tail lamp assembly with a thicker one and reposition the affected power lift gate control unit inside the chassis. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during April 2009. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at [phone]. Additional info:Mercedes Benz recall no. …
2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | 7-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 a good car?
Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 ML320 rates better than average: 73% fewer complaints than a typical year of the ML320 at the same age. It is one of the best ML320 years by this measure. 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320?
The lights — 6 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about brake lights. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and electrical system (4).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320, the most recent from April 26, 2024 (vacuum). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 6% 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.