NHTSA lists 27 complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 1 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 1 complaints mention an injury, with 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as MERCEDES BENZ ML500.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
1 recalls.
Date: 2001-09-10. Systems: SUSPENSION.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
3 investigations; 0 open.
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 reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch con
Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Linked campaign numbers: 11V208000.
EA08009
Opened: 2008-04-28. Closed: 2009-12-16.
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
Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE08002
Opened: 2008-01-10. Closed: 2008-04-28.
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.I
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
58 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 8 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 7 |
|---|
| STEERING | 7 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 5 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 4 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY | 4 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
|---|
11038186
Date: 2026-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.
Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibra
11036101
Date: 2026-08-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. a ? If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary
11035005
Date: 2026-07-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
11031580
Date: 2026-04-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
11029959
Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the la
11029025
Date: 2026-02-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the la
11025648
Date: 2025-11-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the out
11019018
Date: 2025-05-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the out
11017496
Date: 2025-04-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Remedy NOTE: If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover
11017500
Date: 2025-04-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A leak test must be performed to determine i