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NHTSA — Engine Problems

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,130 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 092017

ML500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine keeps getting over-heated even after a new engine fan has been replaced. However, after its replacement I took it to two Mercedes dealership to re-inspect and make adjustment to their installment of the fan but it keeps getting overheated. I also had a new water coolant tank installed but it is also leaking out the coolant and showing the warning light. These events happen after I top up the coolant tank and drive around 50 miles, then the overheating starts and the tank starts becoming empty.

- Lake Mary, FL, USA

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problem #4

Feb 022017

ML500

  • 169,650 miles
Loss of power steering driving on the freeway due to sudden break of idler arm pulley and subsequent shredding of belt. Problem is the pulley is made of plastic and cracked in two, leaving 1/2 the pulley and shredding the belt. This occurred at driving speed of 50 mph and mileage around 169,650 on 2003 ML500. This was very dangerous. I was able to pull off the freeway as I was driving in the lane nearest freeway exits. Almost impossible but able to steer into a parking lot. Lucky it was 'rush' hour and traffic was slow on surface streets. Incredible safety issue due to difficulty to steer without power steering. Car is regularly maintained by german mechanic familiar with repair of mb engines in germany.

- Marina Del Rey, CA, USA

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problem #3

May 162016

ML500

  • 150,000 miles
Takata recall. Power steering brake issue, power steering hose became detached during vehicle operation, could not steer vehicle. Transmission and radio drain, car cut off on me during driving.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

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problem #2

Aug 112014

ML500

  • 111,000 miles
Driving 45mph on highway, car shuts off completely. Towed to closest gas station, who put a computer on it to find out it was the crank shaft sensor. After completely cooling it will start again, but in less than 10 min it cuts off.

- Henrico, VA, USA

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problem #1

Jun 082012

ML500

  • miles
Notes taken on phone by bowman, ODI, NHTSA: Vehicle shuts off after impact with irregular road surfaces condition such as pothole, transversing a change road grades / surfaces such as speed bumps, etal. Vehicle can be immediately restarted after shut-off. One incident allegedly occurred when attempting to merging onto interstate.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

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