Most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 problems
Share of the 27 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz ML500 complaints by model year
Best ML500 years: 2007, 2003. Years to avoid: 2006, 2002. Compare all years →
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 recalls (1)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper arm
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The left front upper control arm May not meet the specified strength requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left front upper control arm. Owner notification began September 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500:
Brake lamp switch failure.
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of…
Brake line rupture
Mercedes-Benz's response to odi's information request letter for pe08-002 indicated that the subject fuel/brake line bundle (part no. A1634201526) was used without significant change from model year 1998 through 2002 on all m-class light truck vehicles.Mercedes further indicated that in 2002 a problem was identified in production that could cause unwanted contact between the fuel and brake lines.in May 2002, a…
Brake line chafe
Analysis of complaints to odi and Mercedes and warranty claim data submitted by Mercedes indicates that the alleged defect has occurred at a low rate (36.5 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and 0.29 percent warranty claim rate), with no discernable defect trend indicating that the rate of chafing related brake line failures is increasing.there have been no new complaints since January 2009.when the analysis is limited…
What 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 owners say
Steering
In March of 2003 Mercedes initiated a recall for my vehicle for a problem with the power steering hose, the car was taken in for servicing and the problem supposedly fixed. On April 2nd of 2008 I took the car to Mercedes because it was making a really loud sound I was told that the power steering hose was leaking a $665 fix. I had the work done. On April 15th of 2008 the check engine light came on took the car back to Mercedes and was told the power steering pump needed to be replaced a $1211 fix. I was furious at this point. In September of 2008 the NHTSA issued a recall on the model for a problem with the clamp for the power steering hose. I contacted Mercedes when I became aware of this recall earlier this week. I was told that the hose that was replaced on my car's power steering system is not the one being recalled. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML500. The contact stated that the seal in the power steering pump failed and the vehicle began to lose fuel. The repair shop replaced the power steering pump at the cost of $525.22. The vehicle was repaired according to a recall five years prior to this failure. Ten days later, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 03V121000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). He called the dealer and stated that there was an issue with the power steering pump, in which he paid to have repaired prior to receiving the recall notice. The dealer and manufacturer stated that no reimbursement would be provided. The failure mileage was 40,752.
Brakes
There is a serious defect in the YAW rate sensors in these Mercedes ML W163's. Thank God I was driving down a secluded road and nobody was behind me, but my vehicles brakes locked up, on their own, even with my foot on the accelerator pedal, with no warning lights or warning signals. I have no error codes, and my vehicle is well maintained. There are many many people that are having the same issue with their Mercedes ML's. Some people have experienced this happening to them at freeway speeds. The YAW rate sensors are at fault, and send a signal to the ABS pump which in turn locks up the brakes without even touching the brake pedal! This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to everyone in the vehicle, and to ANY other vehicle in the area. People can DIE! Again.. …
Warranty issues and/or manufacturing defects that should be covered by warranty. On October. 21, 2003 took my ML500 year 2002 to dealer for squealing and scraping brakes. Service department could not diagnose the problem the squealing and scraping and told me that brake disc and pads looks fine. However they advised me to buy newer version of brake pads, which would not squeal. I refused to buy brake pads, as they should be covered under warranty. I was not satisfied, therefore took the vehicle again next day (October 22,2003) and talked to the sales person from whom I bought the vehicle. He and service manager performed test drive. Dealership checked the brakes again and told the squealing and scrapping was due to a rock stuck between brake pads and disc. Since yesterday, I had driven my vehicle only 24 miles but now the pads and rotors have been damaged. …
Speed control & acceleration
While driving at 70 MPH with cruise control on ESP/bas light came on. Cruise control failed to disengage when brake pedal pushed to slow vehicle, causing engine to race forcing vehicle to speed up almost crashing into vehicle ahead. Cruise control could only be disengaged by putting transmission into neutral and depressing brake. This is first time failure occurred. Dealer replaces stop lamp switch (part is available), recommended replacing brake pressure sensor and bas release switch at a cost to me over $1,000. I believe this is a serious safety matter.
I own a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML500. A week ago I experienced sudden acceleration while driving on an interstate. As I was accelerating the car suddenly accelerated (the gas pedal went to the floor) and I was unable to stop the car despite fully depressing the break pedal. The car reached 80+ MPH and I was forced to drive off of the road to avoid an accident (I was able to slow it to about 50 MPH by fully depressing the break pedal). I was finally able to stop the car by shifting into neutral (it has an automatic transmission; when I shifted to neutral the engine immediately decelerated). Over the next 40 miles I experienced sudden acceleration 10+ times. This occurred both while I was accelerating and while I was braking. While attempting to stop at a stop sign in my subdivision the car accelerated and drove through the stop sign. I parked the car in my garage and called my mb dealer. …
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 ML500 rates use caution: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the ML500 at the same age. It is one of the ML500 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500?
The steering — 7 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections. Next are the brakes (6) and speed control & acceleration (3).
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500, the most recent from September 10, 2001 (upper arm). 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 ML500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2002. See the full Mercedes-Benz ML500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 101,000 miles; 35% 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.