2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 complaints

2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 WHILE DRIVING 45MPH THE BRAKES CAME ON SUDDENLY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THEN RELEASED ITSELF. THE BAS ESP LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FINE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE. THIS STATED ONLY A FEW SENSOR HAS GONE BAD ONCE AGAIN. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TO SIX TIMES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGED ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT THAT HAD NOT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THEN RELEASED WITHIN TWO TO THREE MINUTES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE BUT THE ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ESP PUMP VOLTAGE RELAY STUCK HAD A SHORTAGE IN SOME OF THE WIRES. THE RELAY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE, THE DEALER COULD NOT PINPOINT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,648. UPDATED 05/18/10. *LJ

I WAS DRIVING UP HILL IN SLOW TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR FOR A FEW MILES THEN ALL THE SUDDEN LEARNED CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL I PUT PRESSURE ON. THE CAR JERK A LITTLE BID AND WON'T MOVE MUCH ONLY BY THE INCHES. THEN I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR FEW MINUTES AND STARTED AGAIN, TURNED AROUND AND CANCELLED MY TRIP. A SIMILAR INSTANCE HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT TRIED TO REMOVE ONE OF THE REAR SEATS IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT TWO OF THE BOLTS ROTATED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE FAILURE CONFIRMED THAT THE BOLTS WERE IMPROPERLY WELDED. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED HIM TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000. UPDATED 03/09/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB

I PARKED MY CAR IN A STRIP MALL FOR DINNER. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER DINNER, IT WOULDN'T CRANK, NOR WOULD IT START. CALLED IN AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY SHOWED UP HALF AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR STARTED FINE. TWO DAYS LATER, WHEN I WAS DRIVING TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AROUND 7:45AM ON A SURFACE STREET, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN INTO A DRIVE WAY TO AVOID OTHER CARS AND THE CAR STOPPED AT THE ENTRANCE. AGAIN CALLED AAA AND A TOW TRUCK SHOWED UP 5 MINUTES AND THE DRIVERS HELPED PUSH AND PARK MY CAR, BUT WAS TOLD TO WAIT AT LEAST 45 MINUTES FOR THE RIGHT TOW TRUCK. TRIED TO START MY CAR EVERY 5 MINUTES, AND IT FINALLY STARTED AFTER 15 MINUTES. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A FLETCHER JONES DEALER AND PAID $600 TO HAVE A SENSOR REPLACED TO FIX THE STALLING PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE THIS PROBLEM AND MY FRIENDS WHO OWNED 98, 99 ML320 ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS STALLING PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE (EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FLETCHER JONES AGREED WITH ME ON THIS). I THANKED GOD THAT MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE NOT HURT IN THIS INCIDENT, BUT AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY HAPPENED. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN DIFFERENT ML320 MODEL YEARS, AND IT COST THE DRIVER A BUNDLE TO HAVE IT FIXED, MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

EXCESSIVE RUST WITHIN 3 YEARS OF PURCHASE. *TR

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REFUND FOR THE RECALL #2003-040005 ON HER 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. *NJ THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, SEAL, PUMP, FLUID AND STEERING HOSE CLAMP WERE ALL REPLACED. RECALL 03V121000. *JB

SAME PROBLEM AS DISCUSSED IN NHTSA PE 07007-LEFT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGES FOR NO REASON-ESP/BAS LIGHT COMES ON-THIS LAST FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND AS STATED AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING ENGINE SEEM TO GO AWAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V121000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND HAD THE NECESSARY REPAIRS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. HOWEVER, SHE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TIME. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, SHE RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE POINTLESS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL WHEN ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS WERE AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF THE STEERING FAILURE. THE INITIAL RECALL STATED THAT CONSUMERS WHO HAD REPAIRS MADE BEFORE NOVEMBER 23, 2003 COULD POSSIBLY HAVE THE HOSE REPLACED, IF FOUND DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HAD REPAIRS MADE PRIOR TO THAT DATE. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,582 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, SHE NOTICED FLUID NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,619.

CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR WORK ON HIS 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP. *NJ RECALL # 03V121000. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 SUV. THIS VEHICLE SHIFTS AUTOMATICALLY FROM DRIVE TO FIRST GEAR WHEN GOING AT LAWFUL HIGH SPEED AND SOMETIMES LOW SPEEDS, DANGEROUSLY SLOWING THE VEHICLE PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIVES AND OTHER DRIVERS IN PERIL ON THE ROAD. THE ABOVE INCIDENT OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

WINDOW SWITCH KEEPS GOING OUT. WINDOW IS WILLING TO GO DOWN, WHEM PULLING THE SWITCH UP, WINDOWS WONT GO BACK UP. *TR

SRS LIGHT CAME ON 2006. I CALLED DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS LIKELY A FAILED CHILD SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS ADVISED THE SRS WAS STILL INTACT AND THAT THESE SENSORS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL [MB 2000 ML 320]. AUGUST 2008 DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT I'VE HAD NO SRS WORKING SINCE THE LIGHT WENT ON AND SO I PAID $900 TO HAVE A $291 PART REPLACED - $700 IN LABOR. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT A SAFETY FEATURE LIGHT WARNING LIKE THE SRS - AND A FAILED SENSOR - NEEDS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ABS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET. THE ABS THEN RELEASED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ESP YAW RATE SENSOR. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,080. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE POWER STEERING HOSE LWAKED. UPDATED 09/10/08. *JB

TWO RECENT INCIDENTS OF MY 2000 ML-320 SUDDENLY BRAKING AND LOSING POWER. ALL BRAKE AND ESP LIGHTS LIT UP. I WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR TO AN EXIT - IT HAD VERY LIMITED POWER AND THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT SEEM TO REACT WHEN PRESSED. ONE INCIDENT WAS WEDNESDAY 7/23/2008 AT APPX 12:50 PM CST. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON US 431 S AT APPX 60 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURED ON SUNDAY JULY 27, 2008 AT APPX 6:30 AM DRIVING NORTH ON US 431 ALSO A CLEAR DAY. 7-30-08 EPS MODULE FAILURE PLACED VEHICLE IN LIMP HOME MODE*SMCH

I OWN A 2000 MERCEDES ML320 - WHILE DRIVING A FEW YEARS AGO ON CRUISE CONTROL DOING 65 MILES PER HOUR THE TRUCK JAMMED ON THE BRAKES. IT TOOK ME TO JUST ABOUT A COMPLETE STOP FROM 65 MILES PER HOUR ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY ROUTE 287 IN NJ. WHEN I CALLED AND WAS PUT ON WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM HE ASKED "HOW FAR DID YOU SKID" AND LAUGHED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DROVE IT AROUND FOR TWO WEEKS AND TOLD ME IT DOES NOT DO THIS WHEN THEY TRY IT. IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME SO I WAITED UNTIL IT RAINED AGAIN AND TRIED IT AGAIN. I DID IT AT A LOWER SPEED IN A SAFER SITUATION AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE YAW SENSOR BUT WE ARE NOT TRUSTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND NEVER USED IT AGAIN. WELL, NOW FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE TRUCK LOCKS UP ONE OR MORE WHEELS RANDOMLY AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. SOMETIMES FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS AND OTHER TIMES LONGER. SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM FAILS AND TURNS THE LIGHT ON AND OTHER TIMES IT JUST RECOVERS AND STARTS DRIVING AGAIN. IT HAPPENS ON DRY DAYS JUST DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. WHEN ONLY ONE WHEEL LOCKS UP IT PULLS THE TRUCK IN THAT DIRECTION AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME AND MY WIFE TO CRASH. IT IS RANDOM IT MIGHT HAPPEN THREE TIMES IN A DAY OR NOT AT ALL FOR A WEEK. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. IT DID NOT SHOW A CODE UNTIL LAST WEEK. THE TRUCK WAS NEVER IN A ACCIDENT SO IT CAN NOT BE FROM DAMAGE! IT IS STILL IN THIS STATE AT THIS TIME AND NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT A

THIS IS A COMPLAINT CONCERNING A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT COMES INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. FIRST TIME WAS APRIL 2006, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPERVILL MERCEDES BENZ. ADVISED THAT THERE WOULD BE A $300 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. PROBLEM WAS "BABY SMART" SENSOR IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD EITHER EAT THE $300 CHARGE OR HAVE IT FIXED. FINAL BILL WAS $1,063.86 PROBLEM RE-APPEARED FEBRUARY 2008. CALLED SAME DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT SAME PROCEDURE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX. I HAVE DECLINED TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. CHECKED ON INTERNET BY GOOGLING "ML 320 SRS FAILURE" AND FOUND NUMEROUS CASES OF SAME PROBLEM. CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. *TR

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED BY RUPTURE OF CORRODED METAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE AS CONFIRMED BY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER (HOLLAWAY MOTOR CARS-MANCHESTER-NH). HOLLAWAY ALSO CONFIRMED SAME FAILURE AND CAUSE ON 2 OTHER SAME MODEL VEHICLES. *TR

MY 200 ML320 (WITH +75000 MILES) HAS AN INTERMITTENT BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT COME ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. THE MECHANIC SAYS ITS SOME YAW SENSOR THAT HAS FAILED AND THAT IT MIGHT PULL TO ONE SIDE UNDER BRAKING. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES ITS IS HARD TO BRAKE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH, IF I NEED TO MAKE A QUICK STOP. *JB

MY 2000 ML WITH 47K MILES SUDDENLY LOCKED ON THE BRAKES. THE ESP LIGHT HAD BEEN SHOWING ON VERY RARE OCCASIONS FOR 2 MONTHS. I HAD THREE INSTANCES OF SUDDEN LOCK-UP OF ONE OR MORE TIRES BEFORE THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE "YAW SENSOR" HAD FAILED. ALL INSTANCES WERE AT LOW CRUISE 30-40 MPH WITH PERFECT CONDITIONS WITHOUT THE ESP LIGHT SHOWING. SOME HOW I AVOIDED ACCIDENTS BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE ESP TOOK CONTROL OF THE BRAKES AND APPLIED BRAKING TO ONE OR MORE WHEELS IN AN ATTEMPT TO BRING THE TRUCK UNDER CONTROL. THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONTROL TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE BUT THE ERRONEOUS SENSOR INFORMATION CAUSED IT TO APPLY THE BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AT NIGHT WHEN KNOB IS TURN TO HEADLIGHT POSITION. *JB

RECENTLY, MY 2000 ML320 WOULD END UP CRANKING WHILE STARTING. TOOK 2 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE CAR STARTED UP. TOOK MY MERCEDES TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED & FILTER & THE NEW UPDATED LINES. PREVIOUSLY BACK IN DECEMBER 2005, POWER STEERING LINE WAS DAMAGED. SERVICED AT SAME DEALERSHIP. A SMALL HOLE WAS DISCOVERED ON THE PIPE AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ALMOST MADE ME HIT THE GARAGE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE SMELL OF GAS WAS PRESENT WHEN PARKING AND A PUDDLE OF GAS WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS OF THE FUEL PUMP MELTED AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER BEING DRIVEN OVER A BUMP. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE TRANSFER CASE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65-70MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED FROM THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THERE WAS A 30 MINUTE DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTARTED. THE ENGINE STALLING FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES AND OCCURRED MORE OFTEN DURING HOT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WERE FAULTY. SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED WHO EXPLAINED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED BY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE AIR MASS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO OWNS AN E320 WHICH HAD THE SAME FAILURE LAST YEAR. IF THE AIR MASS SENSOR IS NOT REPLACED, FURTHER DAMAGE CAN RESULT TO THE ENGINE.

WE OWN A 2000 MERCEDES ML320 WE HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT SIX MONTH AGO AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE CAR AS OF YET. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE CALLS TO MB OFFICES AND I WAS TOLD THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND SHOULD BE INSTALLED ALREADY. NOBODY FOLLOWS THROUGH. *JB

OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. OIL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BETWEEN 200-600 MILES OF DRIVING. TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VERY POOR. *NM

MY MERCEDES YEAR MODEL 2000 ML320 ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING; MOST OFTEN IT COMES AS A SURPRISE WHEN I AM CRUISING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND SLIGHTLY BACK OFF ON THE THROTTLE. THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN AND WILL RESTART AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES. IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR WILL RUN FINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AFTERWARD WITHOUT SHUTTING DOWN. *JB

THIS IS FOR A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. IT JUST PASSED 60,000 MILES AND NOTICED A BROKEN SPRING (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE. BROKEN SECTION IS THE BOTTOM MOST "RING" OF THE SPRING AND THE BROKEN PIECE IS STILL ON THE CAR. *JB

CAUSED BY A RE-CALL CATALYTIC CONVERTERS HAVE BEEN ON ORDER SINCE OCTOBER 17, 2005. MY VEHICLE IS HAS NOT BEEN LEGALLY DRIVABLE FOR NOW TWO WEEKS. THE ONE OF THE CATS IS TOTALLY OPEN CAUSING UN-MUFFLED EXHAUSTION. AFTER ATTEMPTS FROM BOTH THE DEALER AND THE IMPORTER, MERCEDES BENZ USA TO BLAME THE OTHER PART OR THEIR SUPPLIER AND AFTER SEVERAL PROMISES, I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT. I NEED THE USE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IN A SLIPPERY PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED BECAUSE THE RETURN LINE DISCONNECTED FROM THE RACK DUE TO IMPROPER CRIMPING. BOTH LINES WERE REBUILT BY THE CONTACT. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER A FEDERAL RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ACCORDING TO A SERVICE TECHNICIAN, THIS PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN OUT OF STOCK OF THE PART FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO GIVE ME AND OTHER OWNERS A DELIVERY DATE ON THE PART. MEANWHILE, I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE AND LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL APART! I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN A MONTH AND IT GETS WORSE EVERY WEEK THAT I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PARK MY VEHICLE AT THE DEALER AS OTHER OWNERS OF ML320S HAVE DONE. HOW CAN A FEDERAL RECALL BE ISSUED AND THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOT BE PREPARED? *JB

DT: THERE IS A CRACK IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT WAS LEAKING CARBON MONOXIDE. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN JUNE OF 2005. THE CRACK OCCURRED SOMETIME BEFORE THIS. THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, AND ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE RIGHT ONE. BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CRACKED. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE CONCERNING CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT SHE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. *AK *JB THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED NAUSEA, DIZZINESS AND SLEEPINESS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN JULY, AUGUST AND SEPT 2005. AFTER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED ALL OF THE CONSUMER'S SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED. A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE ON 9/15/05. *NM

DT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN STAYING ON SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE ON MARCH 20, 2004. THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE MARCH OF 2005. IT HAPPENED WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE FROM A COLD START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT RUNNING FOR FIVE TO TEN MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. ALSO, IT WILL STALL WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST RUN ON THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH THE MASS OXYGEN SENSORS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS, AND SOMETHING ELSE THAT HE WAS NOT SURE OFF. THEY REPLACED THE MASS OXYGEN SENSORS. THIS HELPED THE PROBLEM A LITTLE, BUT, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. . ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW SWITCH CONSOLE. IT STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2005, AND HAD IT REPLACED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WELD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN DECEMBER 2004. COMPLETE SEPARATION HAPPENED IN APRIL OF 2005. THE CONTACT HAD THEM WELDED BACK TOGETHER. *AK

POWER STEERING FAILURE - AT LEAST 4 TIMES. LUCKILY NO INJURIES OR DEATHS. MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED 150 MILES FROM HOME IN MOUNTAINOUS REGION. *NM

MY 2000 ML320 WITH 53000 MILES HAD SUDDENLY SHOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY AT ~65 MPH. I EXIT AND AS I SLOWED I COULD SENSE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH WITH SHAKE AND STRONG VIBRATION. THEN AS I STOPPED THE CAR AT THE RED LIGHT AT THE EXIT, THE CAR IDLED VERY ROUGH AND LOTS OF VIBRATION AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED (AND SHUT OFF). I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED THE KEY BACK ON AND THE CAR RE-STARTED NO PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE IDLE NOW ONLY FEELS SLIGHTLY ROUGH BUT IDLE SOUND IS NOTICEABLY SLIGHTLY LOUDER THAN BEFORE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER (SAN DIEGO) THAT SAME DAY AND DESCRIBED TO THEM EXACTLY WHAT OCCURRED. THE NEXT DAY THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS SPARK PLUG FAILURE AND SPARK PLUG WIRE FAILURE OF CYLINDER #2 AND POSSIBLY #4. THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING ALL 12 SPARK PLUGS AND THEIR MODULE AND WIRES. AFTER THEY DID THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS, MY ML320 SEEMS TO RUN LIKE NORMAL BUT I STILL HEAR THE ENGINE IDLE DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE AND ENGINE REV SOUND SLIGHTLY LOUDER THAN BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THEY SAID THAT THE SOUND IS NORMAL. I GUESS I HAVE NO WAY TO PROVE THIS BEFORE AND AFTER SOUND DIFFERENCE SO I JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT ELSE FAILS. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS APPROX. $1280; WHICH INCLUDED 6 HOURS OF LABOR AT $120/HOUR. I TOLD THEM I THOUGHT 6 HOURS OF LABOR TO REPLACE 12 SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES WAS VERY INEFFICIENT AND COSTLY TO ME OR ANY CUSTOMER. THEY JUST SAID IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT AND TEDIOU

DT: CALLER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN 6 TIMES FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/SPARK PLUGS BEING CORRODED/LOOSE WHEEL BEARING/CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT/FOR SHAKING AND SPUTTERING AT IDLE, AND THE ELECTRIC FUNCTION CHECK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK

MERCEDES ML 320 POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING, EVENTHOUGH A RECALL REPAIR WAS CARRIED OUT. WAS NEARLY RAMMED INTO BY AN ONCOMING TRUCK BUT WAS SAFE BECAUSE OF FORCED THAT I USE TO GET OUT OF THE PROBLEM. IN PROCESS WRIST AND SHOULDER SUFFERED INJURY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, IN THE LEFT LANE OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, A SLOWER MOVING SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK CHANGED INTO MY LANE SUDDENLY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS MUCH MORE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE REQUIRED THAN NORMAL TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TOWARD THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON, INDICATING A FAILURE ON THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THEY ALWAYS KEPT THEM IN STOCK FOR THAT REASON. APPARENTLY THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ALSO CONTROLS TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. AFTER THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED I VERIFIED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE IN FACT NOT WORKING, AND ALSO VERIFIED THAT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT CANCEL THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ALSO CONTROLS THE SHIFT KNOB RELEASE, ALLOWING YOU TO SHIFT OUT OF "PARK" AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. *AK

THE CONSUMER'S MERCEDES BENZ M L 320 SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. *BF AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE CONSUMER PARKED IN A MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER IT WENT INTO STICK MODE AGAIN. THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER AND WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT END VIBRATED. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED DOWN TO 10 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

WITHIN SIX MONTHS, BOTH STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST PIPES CRACKED AT THE WELDS, JUST AHEAD OF THE CAT. CONVERTER. IN THE FIRST CASE, THE PIPE WAS REPLACED. IN THE SECOND INSTANCE THE PIPE WAS WELDED (HOPEFULLY WILL LAST LONGER). WITH THE SECOND FAILURE, WHILE THE NOISE INCREASE WAS BARELY NOTICABLE, EXHAUST GASSES LEAKED INTO THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT. AS A PROFESSIONAL PILOT, I KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF CO POISINING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS POWER STEERING FAILED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

THE POWER ASSIST FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONDITION CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING WHILE PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE HIT SIDE BARRIER. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *JB

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE HARD TO MANEUVER.*AK

I TOOK AN 8 MILES ROUND TRIP TO HOMEDEPOT IN THE MORNING AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. @ HOURS LATER, I NEEDTO MAKE ANOTHER TRIP AND AS I WAS BACKING OUT THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF SHINY STUFF ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. SINCE I HAVE READ ABOUT STEERING HOSE CLAMP FAILURE BEFORE, I IMMEDIATELY PARK THE VEHICLE AND JACK IT UP TO HAVE CLOSE INSPECTION. TO NO SURPRISE, THE UPPER CLAMP WAS LOOSE. SO I TIGHTEN UP THE CLAMP AND TOOK A SHORT 2 MILES TEST DRIVE. RE-INSPECTED THE CLAMP, FOUND NO LEAKS. IF I HAVEN'T READ ABOUT THE CLAMP FAILURE BEFORE AND LET THE LEAK CONTINUE, I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES. THUS THE COMPLAIN.

RE: INVESTIGATION PE 03-006. 2000 MERCEDES ML320.IN [XXX] VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY 8 HOURS BEFORE FIRE WAS SPOTTED AT APPROX 4:00 A.M. VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS SERVICED MY SCHUMACHER MERCEDES OF SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA. LAST SERVICE WAS APPROX SEP 10, 2004. I DO NOT KNOW IF REPAIR TO POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY WAS EVER PERFORMED. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGE ,THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE INJURIES OR DEATHS. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET. VEHICLE WAS PARKED NOSE UP ON AN INCLINE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED , BUT I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MERCEDES PENDING YOUR ADVICE.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED4 YEARS AGO WITHIN 2-6 MONTHS, AND UP TO 40,539 MILES THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE NECESSARY IN A MERCEDES ML 320: BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY, LATCHING MECHANISM RT. FRONT DOOR, OXYGEN SENSOR, -POWER STEERING RACK AND TWO TIE RODSFROM 2/17/04 TO 6/18/04. *AK