Mercedes Benz / ML320 / 1998
1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 problems
Owners have filed 200 complaints about the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 16% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 11.5%.
Complaints200
Crashes15
Fires5
Injuries28
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 16.0% · 32
Electrical system 11.5% · 23
Visibility 10.0% · 20
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.0% · 16
Fuel system, gasoline 7.5% · 15
Structure 6.0% · 12
Power train 5.5% · 11
Seat belts 4.0% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 15 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 28 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the Mercedes Benz ML320 in this data, 1998 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2000 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 97,615 miles.
In owners' own words
98 Mercedes ML320 with 75,000 miles harmonic balancer went up and destroyed half of the engine which cost over $5,000 in repairs. Mbusa said they had no previous complaints and that I was responsible for all repairs since it was out of warranty. I have since found out that this is a known problem for these vehicles/engines that mb is trying to cover up. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 75,000 miles
Harmonic balancer broke apart at 140k , no indication of failure, just lots of smoke and no steering capabilities, was in the middle of the intersection. Police pushed me to safety. Plastic shattered everywhere in engine compartment.. The defect was the plastic pully, internet research showed other people had same problem and cost them thousands. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 148,000 miles
Belt tensioner failed at 73886 mile,$308.00. Harmonic balancer failed @80,772 miles. Lost power steering and all accessories. Replaced belt ,oil pan ,tensioner(AGAIN),harmonic balancer,oil ,oil seal. Mercedes paid for parts. I paid for labor $675.00. Did tensioner fail first time because of balancer. Was balancer a known defect? Engine and engine cooling · reported at 80,772 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…