Model year record
2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 recalls & problems
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 18 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is steering (6 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
ML500
| City / highway | 13 / 16 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SteeringHydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections | 6 | 116,500 mi |
| Electrical system | 5 | 92,750 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor | 3 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler | 3 | — |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights | 2 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 1 | — |
| VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system | 1 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- 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, 919-380-1800) BUT WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,000.
- Steering
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.
- Structure › Body
SMELL GAS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. RUST AROUND FRONT AND REAR FENDERS
- Electrical system
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. *TR
- Electrical system
THE BOSE DVD STEREO HAS NO SOUND EVERYTHING WORKS JUST NO SOUND THIS APPEAR TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
- Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CONTROL THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOR THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V465000 (STEERING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING FLUID WAS LOW AND NEEDED TO BE REPLENISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
- Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
- Seats1 injury
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY MERCEDES ML 500 WITH MY 17 DAUGHTER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL AND MY DAUGHTERS SEAT FELT HOT TO HER. SHE TRIED TO MOVE HER SELF OVER AND BURNT THE PALM OF HER HAND ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE HEATED SEAT HAD BEEN BURNING AT A VERY HOT TEMPERATURE AND WAS MELTING THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TO HELP COOL IT OFF. IT TOOK 30 MINUTES OR MORE FOR THE SEAT TO COOL OFF IN THAT SPOT. MY DAUGHTER JUMPED TO THE BACK SEAT WHILE IT WAS STILL HOT SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT GET BURNED AGAIN. *TT
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.