Most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 problems
Share of the 18 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 →
What 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 owners say
Electrical system
During regular vehicle use the front right headlight stopped working. Upon inspection it was found that the headlight holder had melted under extreme temperatures due to a manufacturers defect in the wiring harness.
This could be related to a software problem in all ml class. 1. OBD system cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly 2. Stuck fuel-level sensor cause to report incorrectly 3. The speedometer out of tolerance is reporting incorrectly 4. OBD system is reporting incorrectly causing faults in systems.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he los control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel turned 360 degrees however, the wheels remained in a straightforward position. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle to drifted to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed Mercedes Benz of cary (2400 auto park blvd, cary, nc 27511, [phone]) but was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 248,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500. While driving 65 MPH, the power steering seized. A mechanic confirmed that the power steering hose needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 123,000.
2004 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 ML500 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the ML500 at the same age. 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500?
The electrical system — 5 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (5) and lights (2).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 110,000 miles; 29% 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.