2002 Mercedes-Benz Ml320 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz Ml320 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 870 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 01V290000 2001-09-10 870 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFIED STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence

THE CONTROL ARM COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
17
2fires
SERVICE BRAKES
15
STEERING
15
1injuries
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
10
1crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
7
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
1crashes1fires1injuries
SUSPENSION
4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
1crashes1fires1injuries
Total complaints139

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz ml320. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 mph, the driver’s side front wheel independently braked. The contact stated he had not depressed the brake pedal but heard an abnormal sound from the tire screeching as the wheel had stopped…”

WHEELS · reported 2024-04-30

“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz ml320. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 mph, the driver’s side front wheel independently braked. The contact stated he had not depressed the brake pedal but heard an abnormal sound from the tire screeching as the wheel had stopped…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2024-04-30

“The car brakes suddenly by itself just after the esb/abs lights come on along with an exclamation point (!). This has happened randomly at least 4 times since we purchased the car. Once at high speeds on the highway. It appears this problem is common with other owners of mercedes 2001-2002 ml's.…”

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · reported 2022-04-07

“The car brakes suddenly by itself just after the esb/abs lights come on along with an exclamation point (!). This has happened randomly at least 4 times since we purchased the car. Once at high speeds on the highway. It appears this problem is common with other owners of mercedes 2001-2002 ml's.…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2022-04-07

“Fuse box some has power some not. Front left wheel making this noise and stops after 25 miles per hour radio volume low when ignition key is on position 3 when key it's in the position 2 laud volume when key is not in I can turn on the stereo”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2020-01-06

“Fuse box some has power some not. Front left wheel making this noise and stops after 25 miles per hour radio volume low when ignition key is on position 3 when key it's in the position 2 laud volume when key is not in I can turn on the stereo”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2020-01-06

“Fuse box some has power some not. Front left wheel making this noise and stops after 25 miles per hour radio volume low when ignition key is on position 3 when key it's in the position 2 laud volume when key is not in I can turn on the stereo”

WHEELS · reported 2020-01-06

“Front end collision - airbags failed to deploy.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-12-08

Defect investigations

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

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…

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

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…

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

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…

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

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…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Ml320 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.