1998 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 32 of 133 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,550 | 4,550–5,150 | 4,850–5,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 17 | 15–17 | 14–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 20 | 14–15 / 17–19 | 12–15 / 16–18 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523 | 523–592 | 555–635 | |
| Complaints filed | 133 | 169 | 214 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 16 | 16 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 8 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 14 | 19 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class have?
No NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
Engine: 32 of 133 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class get?
EPA rates it 17 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
EPA estimates $4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 523 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 32 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 22 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 16 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 13 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 18 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls
No recalls have been issued for this model-year.