1999 Mercedes Benz ML320

The contact owns a 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and other various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she refilled the power steering reservoir several times and noted that there was a stain underneath her vehicle after parking overnight. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to a closed NHTSA Action Number: PE3006 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

There was a recall on the steering on my 1999 Mercedes Benz . The Manufacturer said its closed . The steering is leaking and hard to drive and I fear the power steering pump will go out while I am driving the Vehicle. I fear for my safety. How can I get this recall opened and my vehicle fixed .

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT A WEEK AGO MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNDER SERIOUS IMPACTS MY CAR ROLLED SERVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMMING TO A STOP ON ITS SIDE NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF ALSO THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT LIT UP ABOUT THE BAS SYSTEM AND SOME OTHER MALFUNCTION THE TWO WARNING LIGHTS NEVER WENT OFF THEY STAYED ON CONSTANT WHILE DRIVING I HAVE SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO NO AIRBAGS GOING OFF IM VERY DISSAPPOINTED IN THE FACT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED AND PREVENTED ANOTHER FRIEND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DO AND WILL FILE THEIR OWN COMPL;AINT NOW I DONT HAVE A VEHICAL PERIOD WHAT AM I SUSPOSED TO DO? IF MY KIDS WERE WITH ME I WOULD SUE FOR SURE THANK GOD THEY WERE NOT WITH ME !!! COME ON MERCEDES FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET HURT YOUR WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ALREADY DO SOMETHING!!

THE YAW RATE SENSOR IS CAUSING THE CAR TO UNINTENDED BREAKING. IT STARTED THE BREAKING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE, HOWEVER OVER A WEEK AGO THE ACTUAL CAR WILL BREAK WHILE IM DRIVE AND BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WILL NOT GO UNTIL I CUT THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 10-15 MIN AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THEN IT WILL DRIVE AGAIN.

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED 65MPH, THE ML320 SLAMMED ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE BREAK CAUSING TRUCK TO SWERVE RIGHT NEARLY OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN STOPPING AND CHECKING THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, HUB AND BRAKE PAD WERE SMOKING AND VERY HOT

THIS IS IN REGARD TO NHTSA ID #10033607, ALSO MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CAMPAIGN #2009100002 DATED JAN 2010, FOR MODEL 163. MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED BY ABOVE MERCEDES SERVICE CAMPAIGN BECAUSE IT'S V-6 MODEL, BUT SHOWING EXACTLY THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM. I'VE TAKEN AND ATTACHED A FEW PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM AREA SHOWING SEVERE DAMAGE TO FUEL LINE AND LESS SO TO BRAKE LINE. THE PHOTOS SHOWING SEVERE CHAFING BETWEEN FUEL LINE & BRAKE LINE JUST BELOW MASTER CYLINDER. THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN ONLY COVERS 8 CYLINDER MODELS, BUT MY 6 CYLINDER MODEL IS SHOWING EXACTLY THE SAME CHAFING AT THE SAME AREA. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM, BUT JUST NOTICED THIS ISSUE LAST FEW DAYS.

UNCOMMANDED BREAKING OF FRONT WHEELS RESULTED IN DECELERATION AND SEVERE OVERHEATING OF FRONT BRAKES. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE MILE OF DESTINATION. HIGH ENGINE REVS AND DOWNSHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION WERE REQUIRED TO OVERCOME THE UNCOMMANDED BREAKING FORCE AND REACH THE DESTINATION. A SIMILAR SECOND OCCURRENCE EFFECTED ONLY THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. DJR

99 MERCEDES ML320 FRONT RIGHT BRAKE OVERHEATED TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH. *TR

MY 1999 MERCEDES ML-320 WAS TRAVELING ON A THROUGH HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN IT WAS BROADSIDED AT THE INTERSECTION BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH APPARENTLY DIDN'T STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, MY VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY WERE DEFECTIVE; THEREFORE, I AM REQUESTING A SAFETY INVESTIGATION REGARDING POSSIBLE DEFECTS IN THE AIRBAGS OR DEVICES CONTROLLING SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

WENT TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEM TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR AN ACCELERATING, CAUSING IT TO LUNGE FORWARD INTO A LIGHT POLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCERDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 10/31/11 *BF UPDATED 12/08/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKES AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO A BOULDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM PARK BUT THE SHIFTER REMAINED STUCK IN PARK. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, THE CONTACT WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING. TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INQUIRY OVER 3 YEARS AGO; NO RESOLUTION PRESENTED. PROBLEMS HAVE PERSISTED AND GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. ONLY WHEN RESEARCHING, WAS I MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL. NO NOTIFICATION FROM MANUFACTURE OR DEALER. SUBSTANTIAL COSTS INCURRED AND VEHICLE CONTINUES TO LEAK AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS. MOONROOF UNABLE TO CLOSE 100% - TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. ADVISED THE PROBLEM WAS SEEN ROUTINELY WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOONROOF. ADVISED TO FORE-GO REPAIR DUE TO COST. UPON EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE CUSTOMARY AND UNSURE AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED OR REPAIRS MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER. WOULD LIKE A WRITTEN RESPONSE OUTLINING OPTIONS AND RESOURCES TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES. *TR

I HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS AGAINST MERCEDES ML320 SUV. 1) WITH IGNITION OFF AND KEY REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CAN BE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND THE TRUCK STARTS TO ROLL. IT POSTS EXTREME DANGER TO PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY, KIDS LEFT IN A PARKED VEHICLE, AS WELL AS PEDESTRIANS IN FRONT OR BEHIND THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE STANDING IN BETWEEN THIS VEHICLE AND ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE ON A SLOPE. 2) THE WELL KNOWN POWER LOCK FAILURE CAUSES THE MANUALLY LOCKED DOORS (INCLUDING CHILD PROOF REAR DOOR LOCKS) TO BE UNLOCKED AUTOMATICALLY WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STARTS IN MOTION FROM FULL STOP. IT IS DUE TO THE AUTO-LOCK FEATURE WHICH ATTEMPTS TO LOCK ALL DOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS TO MOVE FROM FULL STOP (E.G STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT). HOWEVER, DUE TO POWER LOCK FAILURE, IT CANNOT LOCK ALL THE DOORS AFTER 4-5 TIMES AND EVENTUALLY UNLOCKS ALL DOORS. THIS LEFT CHILDREN IN THE REAR IN DANGER OF OPENING THE DOORS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME TWICE; ONE AT 9700 MILES IN 2001 AND AT 70,000 MILES IN 2007. I HAD WRITTEN A LETTER TO MERCEDES BENZ USA TO COMPLAINT ABOUT THE POWER LOCK AND THEY JUST DENIED THAT IT IS A DEFECT. *TR

GAS PEDAL STUCK ON THE MERCEDES ML320 AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR (NO BRAKES) UNTIL A SECOND AND THIRD TRY. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE CAR'S IDLE WENT TO ZERO. THIS HAPPENED HALF-WAY HOME. ITS A 30+ MILE DRIVE FROM WORK TO HOME. ESSENTIALLY THE CAR JUST QUIT OPERATING WHILE MERGING ON THE INTERSTATE. POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND THIS LEFT MY 8 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MERGING LANE TO THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT THE CAPABILITY TO RESTART THE CAR. SUCCESSIVE TRIES TO START THE CAR FAILED. ONLY AFTER 5 MINUTES THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START AND BE PULLED OVER TO A SAFE PLACE. TRIED A 2ND TIME TO DRIVE IT HOME AND IT LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN WITHOUT IT BEING ABLE TO RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TOW TRUCK HOME THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE HOME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED AND THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE ONLY THE HOSE REPAIRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

POWER STEERING FAILURE - DRIVING THIS LEMON OF AN SUV, CAR STARTED TO PULL AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THANK GOD, I WAS NOT ON A FREEWAY AND COULD PULL OVER WITHOUT KILLING SOMEONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AGAIN, NEARLY CRASHING INTO HIS FRONT DOOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14,800.

REFERENCE: VEHICLE COMPLAINT - 47046 IN SEPTEMBER 1999, WE PURCHASED A NEW MERCEDES-BENZ, ML-320. IN 2003, THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF A RECALL CONCERNING A LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP AT THE RADIATOR FITTING. ON AUGUST 7, 2007, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF LOSING ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID. WE LOST THE POWER STEERING AND HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH A FAMILY MEMBER'S ML-320. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FROZEN FOUR TIMES IN FIRST GEAR. THE MERCEDES DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE HOSE; HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER BECAUSE WE ARE FEARFUL ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THESE RECURRING PROBLEMS. *JB

IN SEPTEMBER 1999, WE PURCHASED A NEW MERCEDES-BENZ, ML-320. IN 2003, THE VEHICLE WAS A PART OF A RECALL FOR A LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP AT THE RADIATOR FITTING. ON AUGUST 7, 2007, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF LOOSING ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID. WE LOST THE POWER STEERING AND HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH A FAMILY MEMBER'S ML-320. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FROZEN FOUR TIMES IN FIRST GEAR. THE MERCEDES DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HOSE; HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER BECAUSE WE ARE FEARFUL ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THESE RECURRING PROBLEMS. *TR

STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IN WORM WEATHER CAUSES FRONT BRAKES TO HEAT UP AND DRAG CONSTANTLY TO THE POINT OF CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF COOLING DOWN, IT WILL BEHAVE NORMALLY. DEALER AND A SPECIALTY SHOP CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN THE SUMMER OF 2005, FOUR INCIDENTS SINCE, THE LAST ONE ON THE DATE INDICATED.

CAR STRUCK IN DRIVER'S SIDE, DAMAGING BOTH FRONT AND REAR DOOR ,AS WELL AS PARTIALLY BENDING THE POST BETWEEN THE DOORS. HOWEVER, THE SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

I HAVE A MERCEDES ML 320. IT IS A 1999 MODEL WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS IN GEAR..SO WHEN PULLING OUT IN AN INTERSECTION AND ONE THINKS THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN LOW FOR POWER, IT IS LOCKED IN HIGH AND THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID A POTENTIAL COLLISION WITH ONCOMING VEHICLES. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT SLIP OUT OF GEAR AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AS WELL. ONE HAS TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN RESTART WHICH RESETS THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT MERCEDES HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO RECALL. I AM HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT BUT I BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED ON THE 1999 THROUGH 2001 MODELS BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS AND WE'VE HAD THE MERCEDES DEALER TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT RESORTING TO A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE ALSO HAD IT TO VARIOUS INDEPENDENT MECHANICS THAT ALSO FAILED IN THEIR EFFORTS.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SECONDARY ROAD THE THROTTLE LOCKED, THERE WAS LOUD ENGINE NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DIDN'T WORK, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE BUSHING FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WAS PRESENT TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NOTES LISTED PER THE INVESTIGATION, THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHARE THE DETAILS WITH THE CONTACT AND THAT THE CASE WAS CLOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 85115. *AK

TL * - THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 03V121000. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO MERCEDEZ BENZ OF PALM BEACH JANUARY 3, 2007, AND WAS DENIED ARECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE REPAIRS TO BE DONE UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE SAME RECALL LAST YEAR AND CHOSE NOT TO ADDRESS IT AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES , AND WAS NOW BEING DENIED REPAIR SERVICE. *AK THE COSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATEDTHERE WAS NOTHING WROG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER SATED WHILE DRIVING, THE THE EXHAUST BROKE IN HALF AT THE WELD. UPDATED 01/22/07. *JB

I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. I WAS IN DRIVING IN I-5 NORTH FROM LAKE OSWEGO TO PORTLAND, OREGON. WITH MY WIFE AND MY SISTER-IN-LAW AND HER DAUGHTER WITH A FRIEND, IT STARTED TO RAIN AND IT STARTED TO BECOME FOGGY. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON THE DEFROST, THE NOSE CAME ON BUT NO AIR CAME OUT. THIS MADE ME HAVE ZERO VISIBILITY AND IT PUT US IN GRAVE DANGER WHEN I HAD TO WIPE THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HANDS. THE NEXT DAY WE WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AND GOT THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT THERE MIGHT BE OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T BE AS LUCKY AS WE WERE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A CASE THAT IS HANDLED AND IF YOU HELP OUR COMMUNITY OUT, YOU WILL BE THE PREVENTION OF A FUTURE HAZARD. *NM

I AND MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND WERE ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY ON AUG 14,2006, PAUSED TO OPEN MY GARAGE DOOR FROM THE CAR AND I WAS SLOWLY MOVING IN. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR WENT OUT OF MY CONTROL IN A FLASH THAT I DID NOT EVEN HAVE TIME TO REACT. IT WENT AND HIT OUR OTHER PARKED CAR IN THE GARAGE WITH SUCH A HUGE FORCE THAT THE SECOND CAR LITERALLY WENT AND TORE THE BEDROOM WALL. OUR SECOND CAR IS BADLY DAMAGED ON THE FRONT, BACK AND ONE SIDE (SCRAPING A POLE IN GARAGE) AND WALL NEEDS FIXING TOO. I TRULY SUSPECT THERE IS SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEM FOR THE SUDDEN/UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT LED TO THIS UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR. SO FAR WE FOUND THE IGNITION GOT JAMMED (COULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN), OTHER THAN THE BUMPER/FRONT DAMAGES. CAR IS STILL IN THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS, ONCE FINISHED IT WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS AND CHECK UP. *NM

FRONT BRAKES ON A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320 OVERHEATED, BRAKES WERE SMOKING . IT STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO ON THE RIGHT FRONT, THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE LEFT SIDE THIS MONTH. * DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER STATED THIS H HAPPENED BEFORE WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE, WHERE FRONT BRAKES ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE OVERHEATING BRAKE PROBLEM , SO THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING ALL THE WAY UP TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYCLINDER. BRAKE FAILURE CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT OR WDEATH IF NOT CORRECTED. *AK

MY PWR STEERING PRESSURE HOSE, FROM BOTTOM RADIATOR THRU PWR STEERING RACK ARE FOUR TIMES POP OUT AT HOSE CLAMP, EVERY WINTER PROBLEM! ( 2002 ) (2003) (2004) MERCEDES DEALER REPLACES A RECALL HOSE LAST WINTER & HOLD FOR A YEAR. (2005) AGAIN WINTER 2 DEC 05 THE SAME THING PROMBLEM (HOSE POP OUT AGAIN) I NEED HELP TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, PLS!!! TODAY, I WILL DROP OFF MY SUV 10 DEC 05 AT THE SAME DEALER. *NM

POWER STEERING HOSE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CRACKED ALONG THE WELD THAT ATTACHES TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED DUE TO A LACK OF PARTS. THERE WAS A TEMPORARY WELD PERFORMED, BUT IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK

MY WIFE DROVE FROM LAS VEGAS ON 15 FWY BACK HOME WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SO SHE STEERED TO THE RIGHT BUT IT PULLED TO THE LEFT AGAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING, SHE APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW IT DOWN BUT IT SEEM LIKE THE VEHICLE WENT FASTER AND FASTER. SHE HEARD A SOUND "SHHH" SOUND LIKE A VACUUM LEAKS. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLING TOO HARD TO THE LEFT SO SHE COULD NOT HOLD ON ANYMORE. THE CARE THEN WENT OFF ROAD AND ROLLED OVER, LANDING IN THE SECTION SEPARATING THE CARS GOING TO LAS VEGAS AND THE CARS GOING BACK. AFTER LANDING SHE SCREAMED HOW THE BABY, HOW THE BABY, HE WAS 14 MONTHS, HOW EVERY BODY--HER DAUGHTERS AND PARENTS...ALL 4 TIRES ARE SUV MICHELIN, JUST REPLACED ABOUT A MONTH. WE BELIEVE SOME THINGS WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT E OIL FILTER HOUSING FAILED. WHEN THE FILTER HOUSING FAILED THE OIL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE MANIFOLD. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED ON 7-30-2005. THE OIL FILTER ON FAILED ON AUGUST 1, 2005. THE OIL FILTER HAD BEEN TIGHTENED AND CHECKED. THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY AFTER THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE OWNER CHANGED THE OIL HIMSELF. THE OIL FILTER TAKES 8 ' QUARTS OF OIL. CONSUMER HA NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. INSTEAD, HE PURCHASED AN OIL FILTER,A PLASTIC HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE FILTER) AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM HIMSELF. CONSUMER TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. TCONSUMER HA NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER SAID THAT THE OIL FILTER DESIGN CHANGED SINCE THE OIL WAS CHANGED LAST, AND THIS NEW DESIGN WAS SUPPOSE TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT.*AKI

DT: INTERMITTENT DELAY OF 7 SECONDS WHEN GIVEN GAS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES, AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE THE PROBLEM OUT. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS. THE CAR IS WORSE WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE AND WHEN THE CONSUMER IS PULLING OUT. THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM WHEN IT'S COOLER OUTSIDE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED OUT THE PEDAL VALUE SENSOR, A SLIDE MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, A WIRING HARNESS AND FAN FOR THE ECM, THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER WITH UPGRADES, THE ECM, AND NOW THE WIRING HARNESS HAS TO BE CHANGED SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN GERMANY.

THE COMPUTER LET THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT BRAKE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE, WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE OUT ON A TEST DRIVE CALIPER LOCKED UP. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING VEHICLE WAS STARTING IN THIRD GEAR, INSTEAD OF FIRST GEAR. IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE OUT IN TRAFFIC. DEALER/MECHANIC EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, AND FUEL LINE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IN PARK. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE COULD SHIFT THE GEAR LEVER TO ALL GEARS WHEN THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND ENGINE IN AN OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND RAN OVER A MAILBOX DAMAGING THE VEHICLE AND BACK WHILE THE GEAR LEVER WAS STILL IN PARK. THE REAR SEAT BELTS DOES NOT RETRACT AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED BACK INTO THE MECHANISM. *TC

FAILURE OF HARMONIC BALANCER, AN EVENT THAT HAS OCCURRED ON MANY MERCEDES WITH THIS DESIGN FOR THE HARMONIC BALANCER. NEW COVER, OIL PAN. AND BALANCER NEEDED. *AK

REAR SEAT BELT BEHIND DRIVER DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT. CLAIMED IT COULDN'T BE FIXED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE REAR SEATS ARE USED INFREQUENTLY THUS, THE REAR SEAT BELTS ARE USED INFREQUENTLY. REAR SEAT BELTS TO BE VIRTUALLY USELESS THREE TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME.*AK

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE CRANKSHFT PULLEY HAS FAILED MAKING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. THE PULLEY AND THE OIL PAN WERE REPLACED AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS KIND OF PREMATURE FAILURES HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS MODEL. THE DEALER WILL NOT PICK UP THE FULL COST FOR REPAIRS SINCE THE CAR HAD 85000 MILES. I THINK MB REALIZES THAT THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF FAILURES BUT WILL NOT DO A RECALL. *JB

1999 MERCEDES ML320 HARMONIC BALANCER. I WAS AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION BEING PERFORMED AND HAD MERCEDES CHECK THE BALANCER IN JANUARY. THEY SAID IT'S FINE. ON 9/6/04, IT FAILED CAUSING $1500 IN DAMAGE. I WAS NOT INJURED BECAUSE I KNEW NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER FAILURE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL THE HARMONIC BALANCER. IT IS FAILING ON MOST VEHICLES AND CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.*AK

1.SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. MAKING RIGHT TURN AT @ 5 M.P.H. IN PARKING LOT. MOMENTARY PAUSE IN ENGINE POWER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY UNASSISTED ACCELERATION. 2. IMPACT PARKED CAR AND CONCRETE MEDIAN "CURB". NO INJURIES. DAMAGE LEFT DRIVER SIDE FENDER AND BUMPER OF ML 320. DAMAGE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE OF OTHER CAR'S FENDER AND BUMPER. 3. TOWED CAR BY VALLEY TOWING TO SCHMACHER EUROPEAN IN SCOTTSDALE AZ. *JB

FAULTY HARMONIC BALANCER IN FLY WHEEL 1999 ML 320, 66,000 MILES NHTSA ACTION NO.PE03058. *AK

THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PULLEY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *LA

(1)VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. (2) CRANKSHAFT DAMPENER BECAME SEPARATED AT POINT OF RUBBER VULCANIZED AND CAUSED SERPENTINE BELT TO COME LOOSE LEAVING POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING ALONG WITH ALL OTHER PULLEYS RUN BY THE SAME BELT. (3) DAMPENER AND BELT WERE REPLACED. (OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE) THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS IS HAPPENING VERY FREQUENTLY. NEW TYPES OF REPLACEMENT DAMPENERS HAVE BEEN CHANGED SIX (6) TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE (5) YEARS IN THE PARTS BOOK. SEVERAL LOCAL MECHANICS SAY IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WONDER WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ORDERED. IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO FIND OUT HOW MANY CRANKSHAFT DAMPENERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND REPLACED BY BOTH DEALERS AND PARTS SALES. AGAIN, LET ME SAY THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT IS VERY COMMON. MY PRIMARY WORRY IS THAT A SMALL PERSON WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IF THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AS IN THESE BROKEN DAMPENER CASES. I'M A 225 LB MAN AND I COULD BARELY BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP AT ONLY 25 MILES PER HOUR. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD? PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY. THANK YOU!! *LA