Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My wife drove the vehicle to work one day and when she was pulling out of the parking lot onto a busy street, the yellow triangle with exclamation point started to flash and engaged the brakes. My wife quickly pull over to the side of the street and made her way back into the parking lot while the brakes where engaging. My wife was unable to drive the vehicle home from work. We let the vehicle sit for several minutes and I was able to get the vehicle moving but the brakes were engaging again. I was able to get the vehicle back home. I have taking the vehicle to several shops and all the shops are saying that there is an issue with the traction control system. When driving the vehicle from one of the shops, as soon as I pulled out of the shop's parking lot the brakes engaged and the yellow triangle with exclamation was flashing. …
While driving, went over bump in road, and truck immediately lost speed. Pressure on gas pedal weakend. There was absolutely no acceleration. I pulled over after almost being hit, and turned vehicle off. Restarted and pull over into autozone to have them hook it up to diagnostic reader. It came back with several codes, that all stated "throttle pedal positioner malfunction" I have bought and replaced this item 4 times since this incident, and the problem still exists. I am forced to drive the vehicle because I have to get back and forth to work, but I'm always very afraid that this part is going to malfunction while in a busy intersection or street, and I along with my kids are going to be killed. It happens at least two to three time a week, sometimes more.
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.
To whom it May concern, I had a near death experience while driving one of your vehicles. I am the owner of a Mercedes 2002 ML320, which was purchased at a phillips Mercedes dealership in virginia beach va. I need to address a very serious incident that occurred over the weekend (December 18, 2010). I was driving back from richmond going toward virginia beach, I was driving 70 MPH on I-64 and had it on cruise control, ahead I saw that traffic slowing down so I stepped on the break; I then realized that my brakes weren't working and I was unable to stop or slow the car down. …
The failed component is the YAW rate sensor, original part number A1635426340 (ATE part number 10.0980-0454.2), manufactured by ATE. I have experienced multiple incidents of sudden, unintended braking at highway speeds. These events occurred without warning and created an immediate and significant risk of a serious collision, endangering not only myself and my family but also other motorists sharing the roadway. While the defect has not been reproduced or confirmed by either a Mercedes-Benz dealer or an independent repair facility, the absence of a successful diagnosis does not diminish the seriousness of the safety hazard. In fact, your agency opened an investigation into this issue in 2007, yet no corrective action was ultimately taken despite reports indicating that more than 100,000 vehicles may have been affected. …
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. …
I am the owner if a 2000 Mercedes ML320. This morning as I came home on this car and suddenly it sped up and lost control when it came to the driveway. I leg was on the brake when I came to the driveway no way I could have put my leg on the accelerator. I believe there is a defect in its design and cause it to suddenly speed up. Please look into this since it can be a serious matter. My other 2 cars in the garage were badly damaged in addition to the this ML320.
Was driving truck at highway, when brakes activated by itself, ABS, traction light, brake lamp and hazards flashed. Had to immediately move to side of road, while brakes where activating. Felt as if ABS was activating as if I was sliding on and icy road. Had to have vehicle towed as I was not able to move more that 5 feet
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz ML320 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (16), 2002 (11), 2000 (9), 1998 (7) and 1999 (7) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz ML320 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Mercedes-Benz ML320 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz ML320 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles; 8% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (4 mentions), followed by the linkages (1).
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.