Engine
3.2L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 104 of 133 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 43 of 133 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
33 complaint records
"VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SINCE PURCHASE, DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK *TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
23 complaint records2 fire reports1 crash report
"WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE REAR UNDER THE WHEEL WELL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Fuel system
21 complaint records3 crash reports
"REPLACEMENT OF 10 FULL SENDER AND FUEL GAUGE RELATED EQUIPMENT PARTS ON 1998 MB ML320, REPLACEMENT OF TRANSFER CASE. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse fuel system parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE03058 opened Dec 2003 | closed Apr 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI27.50-P-071658 Sep 2020 | Power Train | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R | |
| LI27.50-P-049281 Sep 2020 | Power Train | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D | |
| LI07.08-P-060993 Mar 2015 | Engine | Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor" | |
| GI88.40-P-057430 Feb 2014 | Equipment | Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual" | |
| LI32.20-P-057942 Dec 2013 | Suspension | Thumping noises from front axle when driving over bumps on road. |
Show 23 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-B-67.00-29 Jul 2013 | Visibility | Since 12/2012 (model 166) and since 06/2013 (model 242) the glass breakage loops are no longer in the side windows and rear window. Suitable interior protection ensures that the interior monitoring function continues to operate correctly. | |
| LI82.95-P-056655 Jul 2013 | Electrical System | Customer experiences low battery conditions, resulting in jump starts, and eventually requiring battery replacement. | |
| LI82.85-P-055695 Jul 2013 | Electrical System | The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30). | |
| LI47.20-P-054958 Jul 2013 | Fuel System | Combination message: "Clean fuel filter" is displayed. The fault code 162500 (water level message - Bosch) or P226997 (water level message - Delphi) or 171600 (filter load - Bosch) is stored in the engine control unit. | |
| LI-72-00-P May 2013 | Structure | XENTRY: OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER RETURNS TO END POSITION. DUE TO A BENT PIN IN THE DYNAMIC BALANCER, THE SUPPORT SPRING OF THE BEARING BRACKET CAN SLIDE OUT OF PLACE OR BECOME UNHOOKED. MODELS 164, 251, 166, 204, 212. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 2/1/12. | |
| LI46-20P-055943 Apr 2013 | Steering | XENTRY (MERCEDES): RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE SYSTEM, WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROAD AND WHEN ACCELERATING OR BRAKING, THERE WOULD BE CRACKING NOISES. MODELS 164, 251. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| TB-46-30-13-B Feb 2013 | Steering | MERCEDES: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP SHOULD BE REPLACE, UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, DUE TO POWER STEERING LEAKAGE FROM CONNECTION TO POWER STEERING COOLER. MODELS 1998-2003 163.154, (ML320, 430, 55, 500, 350). *PE | |
| 20-P-053398 Mar 2012 | Steering | XENTRY: RATTLING/THUMPING NOISES FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING ON ROUGH ROADS OR WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD UNDULATIONS. NO MODEL YEARS GIVEN. ALSO INCLUDED MODELS 168 AND 172. *JS | |
| LI-68-50 Dec 2010 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | MERCEDES-BENZ: THE LOAD COMPARTMENT ROLLER BLIND HAS CATCH BOLTS LOOSE OR BROKEN FROM IMPROPER FORCE WHEN USING. *RM | |
| P-049567 Jun 2010 | Electrical System | MERCEDES: BATTERY SYMBOL AND SERVICE REQUIRED (IN WHITE). FAULT MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED IF THE CHARGE LEVEL IS TOO LOW OR THE PARK PAWL ADDITIONAL BATTERY IS DEFECTIVE. IN ADDITION FAULT CODE FC 9061 AND/OR FC 9062 IS STORED IN THE FRONT SAM. *PE | |
| LI91-22-P-048771 Feb 2010 | Seats | MERCEDES: THE ELECTRICALLY FOLDING 3RD SEAT ROW MAKES NOISES WHILE FOLDING UP AND DOWN, OR THE FOLDING FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. A WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT LOCKING THE 3RD SEAT ROW MAY ALSO APPEAR IN THE DISPLAY. *PE | |
| LI-58-40 Dec 2009 | Engine And Engine Cooling | XENTRY (MERCEDES): ENGINE WARNING LAMP IS CURRENTLY ON OR WAS ON AND A DELAY FAULT OF THE CAMSHAFT ADJUST TO CURRENT OR STORED IN THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. MODELS 171, 203, 209, 211, 219, 221, 216, 230, 164, 251, AND 403. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| SB-P-047928 Sep 2009 | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | MERCEDES: ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), STABILITY CONTROL (SR). REFERENCES REVISED AND REFERENCE TO AF DELETED/SUPERSEDES DTB TB 42.45/42. ESP LAMP ON. CONTACT FAULT AT CONNECTION FOR ESP CONTROL UNIT MK25 (N47). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| SB-47-20-56 Sep 2009 | Fuel System | MERCEDES: ENSURING UNOBSTRUCTED MOVEMENT FOR THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. WHEN INSTALLING THE LEFT OR RIGHT FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR IT TO HAVE UNRESTRICTED, UNOBSTRUCTED MOVEMENT. *PE | |
| SB-32-22-78 May 2009 | Electrical System | MERCEDES: AIR MATIC VISIT WORKSHOP DISPLAYED WITHIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. MODELS 164, 211, 219, 221 AND 251. INCLUDED 4MATIC, AMG (COMPRESSOR) AMG, BLUETEC AND WAGON. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE UPDATED 9/18/09. *PE | |
| SB-07-16-80D Apr 2009 | Fuel System | MERCEDES BENZ: FUEL LOSS AT PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE AND/OR POOR ENGINE RUNNING CHARACTERISTICS (SHAKES, KNOCKS, SURGES, CHANGES TO LIP HOME MODE, POOR OUTPUT, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, COMBUSTION NOISE, VEHICLE STALLS). | |
| TB-83-10-112B Jan 2009 | Structure | MERCEDES: A NONFUNCTIONAL BLOWER MOTOR (BLOWER MOTOR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY) OR WATER DROPS IN FRONT PASSENGER FOOTWELL AFTER ENGINE WASH. CAUSED BY AN INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF AIR/WATER BOX WHEN WATER IS USED WHEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS CLEANED NEAR RIGHT SIDE OF FIREWALL. | |
| 462046 Dec 2008 | Steering | PLAY IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. MODELS 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. MERCEDES BENZ. *KB UPDATED 5/13/09. *PE | |
| 033008 Apr 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ UPDATED 8/28/08. *PE | |
| TB-46-20-61 Apr 2008 | Steering | RATTLING/THUMPING NOISE ON ROUGH ROADS AND/OR KNOCKING NOISE WHEN MOVING STEERING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ON ALL MODEL 164 AND 251 VEHICLES. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE | |
| SB-27-00-104 Apr 2008 | Power Train | SLOW ACCELERATION WITH GAS PEDAL HESITATION. MODELS 164.122/8SS (ML 320 AND GL320); 211.022 (E320); 251.122 (4320). YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE | |
| TB 83 10 112 Mar 2008 | Structure | WATER ENTRY INTO VEHICLE INTERIOR FOR ALL MODEL 164 VEHICLES. *PE | |
| 463041 Apr 2006 | Steering | FLOW NOISES FROM AREA OF POWER STEERING PUMP AND/OR FOAMING OF POWER STEERING OIL IN RESERVOIR. ON MERCEDES BENZ ML AND R CLASS MODELS. *AK |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Mercedes-Benz Ml320 →