2000 Mercedes Benz ML430

Routine

Owners filed 47 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
112,000 milesMedian miles at failure

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.

Most common 2000 Mercedes Benz ML430 problems

13 of the 47 complaints (28%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering7
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration6
302
Service Brakes · brakes5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes3
000
Air Bags · airbags3
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid2
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor · engine2
000
Traction Control System1
000
Suspension › Multiple Axle1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 2023CA

Problem is with the BAS/ABS. The problem was confirmed by two (2) separate drivers of the vehicle in question. The problem occurred on 4 or 5 separate occasions, all within the last 120 days. The BAS/ABS light on the dashboard indicated random conditions (off when first starting the engine, then on after approximately 1 to 2 minutes). Regardless of the BAS/ABS light status the vehicle appeared to be operating normally. Then suddenly without warning the brakes jammed on pulling hard to the right, then to the left. The problem occurs randomly at various speeds. Speeds as lows 3 to 5 MPH. Other times at highway speeds often in heavy traffic. On each occasion, cars following behind, and on each side had to take evasive action to prevent a collision. The vehicle has yet to be inspected by the dealer or independent service center. I'm afraid to drive the car and don't want to pay for towing.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 12, 2021CA

I have 2000 ML 430. When I drive my car once a while brakes will engage without the warning, no matter how fast or slow I go. It is a very scarry situation.. The shop I went to replaced the ABS module and the problem went away for about 6 months. After that I have experienced one more hard braking but again everything went to "normal". I do take good care of mine old ML 430 and the car is in in excellent condition,, so lack of proper maintenance is not an issue here. No matter what it is, I drive my car with both hands on the steering wheel since. I have posted a thread about this in Facebook and other Mercedes Benz Forums and asked how many others have experienced this brakes locking issue, and it is not a good outlook. There are so many instances where people have had near collisions and rear-endings. Some people have been in collisions because of this. The problem exists in older and newer cars as well. Too many instances for my liking. I'm not sure there are some instances that caused death we don't even know about. This is alarming issue. I thought I was the only one having this problem but apparently a lot of MB owners are dealing with that. Why Mercedes Benz does not have a recall? Why they are ignoring this? I do not feel safe driving the car and do not let any members of my family use the car anymore. Since this happened to me on several occasions I am the only one who kind of "knows" how to handle the car when it happens. Scarry and outrages. I hope you can investig

EngineFire
Filed May 27, 2021135,000 milesNY

The contact owned a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML430. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph the ABS light had illuminated and smoke was present coming from the steering column. Moments later flames were present coming from under the hood and the subframe of the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and the local fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not available.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 25, 2020CA

SRS LIGHT ON

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2017187,300 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON EXPRESSWAY, CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED ON ONLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BRAKING WAS A SEVERE PUMPING THAT LASTED ABOUT 2 SECONDS. WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ME AS THE CAR BUCKED AND I MOVED TO THE SIDE OF TH ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. NOTING NOTHING RELATED TO THE LEFT RONT WHEEL, I EXITED THE EXIT RAMP AND PROCEEDED DOWN A SIDE STREET AT AB OUT 35 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BRAKED AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE ESP ELECTRONIC STABILITY FUNCTION AND PROCEEDED SLOWLY DOWN THE ROAD. NOTING NO FURTHER INCIDENT, I EVENTUALLY GOT BACK ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND PROCEEDED HOME WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 11, 2017172,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, EST, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PITTSBURGH (4709 BAUM BLVD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO CODES WERE POPULATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. UPDATED 11/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER PROVIDED CODES C114214 AND C114209 UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS

Electrical System
Filed Aug 11, 2017172,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (BOBBY RAHAL MOTORCAR COMPANY, 10701 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090, (724) 935-9300) WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE WITH THE DTC PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER'S MECHANIC(S). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE A TECHNICIAN AND A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED PROBLEMS WITH VAN CONTROL, ABS LIGHT ON, BALL JOINT LIGHT ON, TRANSMISSION, BAS MALFUNCTION, ETS MALFUNCTION, AND TRANSMISSION IN LOW RANGE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 13, 2017199,205 milesNY

MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL AND WAS SERVICED ON FEB 9TH 2015 FOR BRAKE SWITCH DEALING WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND POWER STEERING LOW PRESSURE HOSE ON 3/11/2017 THE SAME PROBELMS OCCURED AND IT IS A MANUFACTOR ISSUE AND NOT GETTING JUSTICE FOR GETTING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR SAME ISSUE VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING CAR IT WAS FIXED BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF WAPPINGERS FALLS ON FEB 9TH 2015 BUT SAME ISSUE RETURNED.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2016137,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE O-SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2016137,000 milesVA

ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING MERCEDES BENZ ML430, AT EITHER SLOW SPEED OR 50+ MPH, BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY STOP THE CAR AND SKID THE TIRES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY 5 CARS AT ONE TIME BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. TODAY, 8/15/16, WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS A VERY SCARY SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY IN YOUR BACK SEAT. THE CHANCES OF GETTING REAR ENDED OR HIT BY TRAFFIC IS A HUGE CONCERN. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS?!?! I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME EXACT THING. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER 1,000$ TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED, WHEN, IF IT KEEPS HAPPENING TO OTHERS, WHY SHOULD IT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY?!?! RECALL THIS ALREADY!! BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SEVERLY INJURED, OR, GOD FORBID, A DEATH OCCURS!! COME ON, GET YA'LLS ACTS TOGETHER. THE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS ENOUGH!!!

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 16, 2015100,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 15, 2014174,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE ESP FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 31, 2013DC

NO IDEA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 19, 2013CA

2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML-430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND HAD THE ISSUE ADDRESSED. HOWEVER, SHE FELT THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED ABS, SRS, BAS, ESP AND ETS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. SOME OF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, WHILE SOME HAVE REMAINED ON.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 4, 2012101,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 2, 2012140,950 milesOK

ON FRIDAY (09-28-2012 02:35 PM), I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT 30 MILES NE OF DALLAS, TX, I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 75. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY 75 SOUTH BOUND AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. ALL THE SUDDEN, MY SUV STARTED BRAKING AND I SAW THE SPEEDOMETER DROP FROM 65 DOWN AND I COULD HEAR MY TIRES CATCHING AS IT WAS BRAKING BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRIED THE GAS PEDAL TWICE BUT NO RESPONSE AND I SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE MINIVAN BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO REDUCE SPEED AND AS I WATCHED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DROP BELOW 20 MPH, MY SUV QUIT BREAKING. I WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE (PER USUAL) AND EXITED OFF THE FIRST CHANCE I GOT. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALLED MY MERCEDES MECHANIC ASKING IF HE KNEW WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM I JUST EXPERIENCED. I MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVERS INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED THE BAS/ESP INDICATOR LIGHT. MY MECHANIC ASKED IF MY SUV WAS WORKING OKAY AND IF SO, HE RECOMMENDED I TURN AROUND AND HEAD BACK TO TULSA. I GOT BACK WITH NO SUDDEN BREAKING PROBLEMS AND TOOK MY SUV INTO THE SHOP ON MONDAY (10-01-2012 08:00 AM). I GOT IT BACK LATER THAT AFTERNOON AND THEY NOTED THE REPAIR REASON WAS THEY HAD REINITIALIZED THE YAW SENSOR. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND YOUR WEBSITE DESCRIBING MY EXPERIENCE EXACTLY AND I CAN SAY MY SUDDEN BREAKING EXPERIENCE WAS MORE THAN .03 SECONDS. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 28, 2012121,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S CHEST, ARMS AND HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

Steering
Filed May 25, 2012134,000 milesMN

CAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POWER STEERING FLUID HOSES FELL OFF AND POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND REATTACH THE HOSES THE BEST I COULD. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP RECALL AND MB PERFORMED THE REPLACEMENT. THIS YEAR, THE CLAMPS CAME OFF AGAIN AND THE RACK ITSELF WAS DAMAGED AND PROFUSELY LEAKS FLUID NOW. THE NEW HOSE CLAMPS HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE STEERING SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 31, 201275,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, RESULTING IN POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Parking Brake › Driveline › Hydraulic
Filed Oct 12, 2011112,000 milesAL

THIS CAR HAS ALMOST WRECKED ME OVER 6 TIMES. THE BRAKES WOULD COME ON AND STOP THE CAR AND YOU COULD NOT GO FORWARD UNTIL YOU TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART. THIS EVEN HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE ONCE. EACH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT WOULD COME . THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE YAW SENSOR AND WOULD COST AROUND $1,000 TO REPLACE. THE MERCEDES DEALER ACTED LIKE THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF OTHER CARS LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING BUT WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET THERE WERE MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE ON THE INTERSTATE. HOW CAN MERCEDES GET AWAY WITH THIS DEFECT. IF A SENSOR FAILS IT SHOULD NOT LOCK THE BRAKES UP AND GET YOU WRECKED OR START A CHAIN REACTION WRECK ON THE INTERSTATE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER ON A TWO LANE ROAD THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND WENT OFF THE ROAD LUCKY NO YOU WAS HURT. *KB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 21, 2011200,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILE AND SHE SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND MINOR BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 24, 2011123,000 milesFL

I OWN A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 430, ON 07/12/10, 07/15/10, 07/23/10, 07/25/10, 07/28/10 AND 07/29/10 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHCILE WOULD BRAKE-SKID-BRAKE-SKID THIS LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE; THEN THE BAS/ESP AND EST LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON MY DASHBOARD, THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN BE DRIVEABLE WHILE THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, ONCE THESE LIGHTS WENT OFF THE VEHICLE WOULD START BRAKING & SKIDDING AGAIN. I REPORTED THIS TO NHTSA ON 07/30/10 UNDER CASE #10346283. ON OR ABOUT 08/20/10, MERCEDES BENZ OF USA TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MALFUNCTION & ASKED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 08/24/2010. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI APPROXIMATELY 4 OR 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND HAS COME CLOSE TO CAUSING MANY ACCIDENTS. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 01/28/11 AND WASNT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNTIL 02/23/11 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE KEPT MALFUNCTIONING EVEN WHEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART THEY SAID NEEDED REPLACING. THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL CAUSE GREAT BOLDILY HARM AND/OR DEATH AT ONE POINT. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED WITH A PART THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE, WHILE BEING OPERATED, TO SUDDENLY,WITHOUT ANY WARNING, COME TO A COMPLETE ST

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 30, 2010116,885 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IMMEDIATELY, THE "BRAKE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM ELECTRONIC STABILITY" AND "ELECTRONIC SYSTEM PROGRAM" WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,885. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BAS/ESP AND EST LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD BRAKE AND THEN SKID. UPDATED 10/19/10*JB UPDATED 12/02/10. *LJ

Steering
Filed Feb 12, 201086,000 milesCA

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 HAS A SEVERE POWER STEERING LEAKAGE. TWO RECALLS BY THE NHTSA HAVE BEEN ISSUED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY LEAKAGE IS DUE TO SEVERE LEAKAGE AT THE POWER STEERING RACK SEALS AND RESERVOIR. I WANT TO NOTIFY THE NHTSA THAT THERE ARE MECHANICAL FAILURES RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING LEAKAGE THAT MAY BE IN ADDITION TO THE SPECIFIC RECALL ISSUES AND THE DEALERSHIP/MB DECLINES TO ADDRESS WITHOUT COMPENSATION. MY VEHICLE HAS 88,900 MILES I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND MUST CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS CONSTANTLY. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Feb 2, 201083,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING RECALL RELATED TO THE HOSE AND THE CLAMP ON THE RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS ACCORDING TO RECALL#03V121000, STEERING, HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Traction Control System
Filed Aug 26, 2009CA

1. ACCELERATION AND LANE CHANGING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 65 MPH 2. THE TRACTION CONTROL STARTS BUGGING OUT AND THE CAR STARTS FRANTICALLY PUMPING THE BRAKES FROM WHEEL TO WHEEL TRYING TO FIND TRACTION, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT LIGHTS UP ON DASH. LASTS FOR ABOUT 2-4 SECONDS, VERY SCARY. 3. NO REPAIRS DONE YET. *TR

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 8, 2009120,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DOORS DID NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. MOST STATES DO NOT WANT TO REPAIR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE DUE TO THE AIR BAGS IN THE DOORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $300-$500 TO REMOVE THE DOORS AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 17, 200995,000 milesWA

TOOK THE 2000 ML430 IN FOR RECALL IN 11/08. CAR STARTED MAKING SAME NOISE AS BEFORE. TOOK IT BACK FOR THEM TO RE-FIX IT AGAIN. THEY REFUSED. WANTED ME TO PAY 285. SAID EVEN THOUGH CAR ACTED THE SAME AND WAS STILL LEAKING FLUID, IT WASN'T A RECALL REPAIR. I DISAGREE. I DON'T HAVE 285!!! I PUT MORE POWER STEERING FLUID IN AND LEFT. IT'S STILL DOING THE SAME THING. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 23, 200985,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V121000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT STILL EXPERIENCED FAILURES. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE AS IF THERE WERE NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A SECOND RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000), WHICH STATED THAT AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED MAY BE INSUFFICIENT IN PREVENTING A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003 WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAD THE REPAIRS PERFORMED IN 2004 AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EXTENSION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 85,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 9, 2008TX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, AND NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST,HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 1, 200748,000 milesUT

PASSING ON THE INTERSTATE MY THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE IN 2 WEEKS FOR ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 7, 200695,000 milesMO

NO MATTER WHAT REPAIR IS DONE TO FRONT & REAR BRAKES THEY WILL NOT STOP SQUEAKING. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Jan 23, 200685,000 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE IN THE EXHAUST AREA OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON INSPECTION A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THERE IS A RECALL MANUFACTURER RECALL # 2005060014 ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MANUFACTURER RECALL; HOWEVER THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed May 25, 200574,686 milesOH

2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 HOSE CLAMP CAME OFF AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE PUMP RESULTING IN THE STEERING BECOMING STIFF.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL THE POWER STEERING RACK ALSO LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE RACK FAILED AS A RESULT OF THE CLAMP FAILURE AND BELIEVES IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. *NM

Seats › Front Assembly › Power AdjustFire
Filed Mar 2, 200570,354 milesNJ

SHORT CIRCUIT IN WIRING FOR SEAT BACK REST HEATER ELEMENT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Sep 3, 200459,750 milesTX

2000 MERCEDES ML 430: CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AT 59,750 MILES. MERCEDES SERVICE IN HOUSTON HAS THIS ITEMS ON A TWO WEEK BACK ORDER. THE SERVICE REPS FEEL THAT THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. THE "OLD" PRICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS ABOUT $700. NOW, THE NEW, IMPROVED, IMPORTED FROM GERMANY PART IS NOW $1,140. I FEEL THAT ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT IDENTIFIED AS A WARRANTY ITEM, MERCEDES SHOULD TREAT THIS AS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE LEAK FROM THE CATALYTIC COVERTER ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO BE SUCKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN THE HVAC SYSTEM IS ON.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Aug 13, 2003MD

CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS EVERY 5000 MILES, AND SAME PROBLEM RECURRING. *AK

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Jul 14, 2003NJ

CONSUMER CALLED COPMPLAINING ABOUT HIS VEHICLE. THE STEERING FLUID CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK, AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND HAS NOT YET CALLED THE CONSUMER TO LET HIM KNOW WAHT WAS WRONG WITH IT.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jul 1, 200310,000 milesCA

POWER STEERING FAILURE ON POWER ASSIT - HOSE COMES OFF - ALSO MAKES LOAD GINDING NOSIE LOST POWER ASST. MAKES CAR VERY HARD TO TURN MB SAYS ALSO HOSE CLAMP CAN FAL OFF CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON STEERING - THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX . *AK

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 27, 200344,934 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE DRIVER SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND THEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS BEGAN TO RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STARTED TO SMELL GAS. *NLM ALL FOUR OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPIED SEAT BELTS BECAME TIGHT AND THE SIRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ALONG WITH BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE SIRS CONTROL MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *CB *NLM

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid
Filed Jun 7, 200345,300 milesTX

LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID AT LOW SPEED, COOL ENGINE. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Mar 4, 2003CA

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid
Filed Feb 22, 2003CA

POWER STEERING OIL LEAKAGE RESULTING IN HEAVY STEERING AND DIFFICULTY TURNING CORNERS

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Apr 16, 2002OH

CONSUMER HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 15, 2002OH

IN JULY 2001 TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS TIME TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AGAIN, DEALER DETERMINED THAT PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly1 injured
Filed May 22, 2001TX

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Suspension › Multiple Axle
Filed May 3, 2001CD

DRIVER'S SIDE BOLT TO CHASSIS OF CAR FELL OUT. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER COULD NOT FASTEN SEATBELT. *AK

All 47 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200144000Routine
2000 — this page47020Routine
199944000Routine
19901000Routine

Compare every ML430 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.