Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
725–50K
2950–75K
1375–100K
12100–150K
6150K+
72 reports with mileage · 53 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
125 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2001
Steering
I HEARD A SNAP SOUND WHILE DRIVING AND A BURNING RUBBER SMELL AFTERWARDS. WE WERE GOING TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO INVESTIGATE,BUT HALF WAY TO MAKING A LEFT TURN, WE LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF A INTERSECTION. I NORMALLY DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY, AND IF THIS HAPPENED THEN, I AM SURE I WOULD HAVE HA…
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I HEARD A SNAP SOUND WHILE DRIVING AND A BURNING RUBBER SMELL AFTERWARDS. WE WERE GOING TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO INVESTIGATE,BUT HALF WAY TO MAKING A LEFT TURN, WE LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF A INTERSECTION. I NORMALLY DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY, AND IF THIS HAPPENED THEN, I AM SURE I WOULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #753652
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER STATES FUEL PUMP FAILED THREE TIMES.*YH
NHTSA ODI #562345
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE WAS SHUTTING OFF AND BURNING A LOT OF GAS. CONSUMER WAS GOING ON A TRIP, AND DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE THE DAY BEFORE THE ROAD TRIP. CONSUMER WAS 100 MILES AWAY, AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. CAUSE STILL CANNOT BE FOUND.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888502
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ONCE ROTORS. BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEAKING SOUND. FRONT AND BACK BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NEVER GOT PERMISSION TO DO REPAIRS, BUT CHARGED CONSUMER FOR SERVICE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888498
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE ROTATING MY TIRES, THE MERCEDES BENZ MECHANIC REPORTED THAT MY FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 44 YEARS IN MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES. I HAVE DRIVEN IN 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND ACROSS THE US SEVERAL TIMES. I DO NOT ABUSE MY CAR. MY BENZ HAS NEVER BEEN OFF THE ROAD. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN FOUR-WHEEL…
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WHILE ROTATING MY TIRES, THE MERCEDES BENZ MECHANIC REPORTED THAT MY FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 44 YEARS IN MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES. I HAVE DRIVEN IN 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND ACROSS THE US SEVERAL TIMES. I DO NOT ABUSE MY CAR. MY BENZ HAS NEVER BEEN OFF THE ROAD. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.IT IS 18 MILES TO MY OFFICE OF WHICH 15 MILES ARE FREEWAY DRIVING. I CANNOT BELIEVE BRAKE PADS SHOULD WEAR OUT AFTER ONE YEAR AND 15,500 MILES. $250 PER YEAR TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS IS CRAZY. MERCEDES SHOULD ADVISE PROSPECTIVE OWNERS OF THIS ANNUAL COST. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS?*AK
NHTSA ODI #735862
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Power Train
WHEN ON A HILL OR INCLINE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACK, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #867998
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
EquipmentFuel System, OtherSeats
WIRES ON THE FUEL SENDING UNITS CORRODE IN GASOLINE AND SEND FALSE ELECTRICAL SIGNALS TO THE FUEL GAUGE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #553625
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A NO START CONDITION. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #864570
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Power Train
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE UPON TAKING OFF. DEALER IS NOT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863982
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Suspension
CONSUMER HEARS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR SUSPENSION UPON RIGHT TURNS, DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA ODI #551974
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure
Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
PE03006 · Power Steering Hose Assembly Leakage
Opened Feb 13, 2003 · Closed Apr 4, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
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