Faults:

The brakes needed replacement at 20000 miles.

A factory wheel alignment problem wore out tires at 20000 miles, but it is now fixed. I use the factory installed Dunlop brand tires for replacement, with no problem.

I replaced two light bulbs: 1 Headlight & 1 brake light.

The plastic windshield water washer tank was replaced under warrantee after 1 year of service.

The battery failed after 1 year of service.

General Comments:

Still using a free replacement battery.

The dealer changes the Mobil 1 oil at every 10000 miles and there is no need for adding more oil en between changes. All warranty repairs were made during the regular 10000 mile service appointments.

The dealer provides me with a free loaner Benz at every 10000 mile inspection. Inspections and service is completed on the same day.

This is my 2nd ML. The first one was a 1998 ML320 which performed as well as this ML500, but I like the smoothness of an 8 cylinder engine.

I have owned five used Mercedes vehicles since 1969, including a 280SE which is waiting to be restored. It has over 260000 miles on the original untouched fuel injected 6 cyl. engine.

Faults:

Brakes, ashtray, stuck, tranny popping out of gear, it thinks the brakes are off?

General Comments:

Would like to know a fix around the squeaky brakes.

Faults:

My ML320 started to show rust marks on the bonnet after 2 years. By early 2005 these had spread to each wing front, and back, and to the roof.

The rust marks have spread like measles.

The top of the back lift door has now rusted badly.

There are also substantial rust signs on the front wing panels under the bonnet, around the heads of the bolts holding them to the body shell.

General Comments:

In spite of the £40,000 + car being regularly serviced the Mercedes dealership has refused to accept any responsibility and blames "stone chips", interestingly I have no rusted stone chips on my wife's Toyota!

The cheap arrogance of this car maker is unbelievable. Mercedes should either improve their quality and service or accept the the falling sales that will inevitable follow selling junk cars like this.

Faults:

Horn relay switch. 20000 miles. Covered by warranty.

General Comments:

My wife and I really love this SUV.

It has lots of power. It's roomy, comfortable, and the grandchildren thinks it's the coolest car in the world.

So far it's been Very Reliable and we could not be more pleased.

Thanks MB for making a great little family SUV.

Faults:

Defective CD Changers (replaced)

Squealing Brakes (pads replaced)

Rattles in Dash (removed and fixed)

S/C Switch caused the seat heater to overload burning a hole through the leather seat material ; Ouch! (Replaced)

Nav system gives error messages "Please Visit Workshop" hourly (fixed on 4th dealer visit: a whole new wiring harness was needed.

Usual recalls after the power steering hose separated and squirted fluid everywhere.

Debris left over from the factory build "stored" in the heater fan.

Factory fitted tires managed 22,000 miles of light use only.

Gas gage always reading wrong (replaced)

Trip computer defect (replaced)

Alarm constantly engaging (replaced sensor)

Door trim peeled away (replaced)

Parts fell off roof rack. (replaced)

The Fenders weren't assembled correctly in the factory and were loose (dealer couldn't believe that one!)

Myriad of other defects including the Ash-tray that won't open, loose parts behind the door panel and electric seat adjuster that continually blew fuses etc etc.

General Comments:

Service at dealership (Park Place in DFW) was good, they fix everything free & mostly first time.

6 weeks in service/repair : its too long in the shop for a $50k 2002 model vehicle.

M-B USA are hopeless; they sent me a form letter stating "While every effort is made by M-B to prevent malfunctions, there is always the potential for failures to occur. It is for this reason we provide our 4 year/50000 mile warranty etc". There is no escalation possible the claim we are 'just the distributors' and neither the dealership nor MB Customer service will talk about whether my vehicle is 'normal' or a 'lemon' : That info is (quote) "Proprietary"

When it goes its great : powerful (but thirsty) and truly comfy.