IllustrationDEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR TURNS AIRBAG AND SEAT-BELT TENSIONER OFF WHENEVER THERE'S A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE CAR, PREVENTING THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING AND THE SEAT-BELT FROM WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
2000 Mercedes Benz ML320
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most ML320 years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all ML320 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
2025–50K
2250–75K
1775–100K
20100–150K
19150K+
107 reports with mileage · 59 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.
- Steering. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
166 reportsI WAS ON THE FREEWAY, I WAS USING MY CRUISE CONTROL (LUCKILY JUST AFTER HEAVY TRAFFIC HOURS) JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY. A CAR SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME, SO I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES. AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES NOT ONLY DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE BRAKES GOT STIFF AND WOULD NOT WORK NO MATTER HOW HARD …
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I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, I WAS USING MY CRUISE CONTROL (LUCKILY JUST AFTER HEAVY TRAFFIC HOURS) JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY. A CAR SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME, SO I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES. AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES NOT ONLY DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE BRAKES GOT STIFF AND WOULD NOT WORK NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THEM. AT THE SAME TIME THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED AND THE CAR WAS TRYING TO GO WHAT SEEMS LIKE 130-140 MPH. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TRY AND KEEP IT AT AN APPROPRIATE SPEED. LUCKILY MY PASSENGER TOLD ME TO STAY CALM AND TRIED TO HELP ME DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I HAD TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE SLOWEST LANE AND SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL. THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION I HAD BESIDES CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I AM EXTREMELY SHAKEN FROM THIS EVENT, I HAVE ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS WHENEVER I DRIVE ANY VEHICLE NOW. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A PHYSICIAN TO HELP ME WORK OUT SOME KIND OF TREATMENT/THERAPY.
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FL AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP FOR 5-10 SECONDS AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ACCIDENTALLY CUT OFF SEVERAL CARS IN THE LANE TO MY RIGHT. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS INJURED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGERO…
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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FL AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP FOR 5-10 SECONDS AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ACCIDENTALLY CUT OFF SEVERAL CARS IN THE LANE TO MY RIGHT. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS INJURED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS! AFTER STOPPING, AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF, AT AN EXIT FOR SO I COULD SEE IF I COULD SPOT ANYTHING I TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY HOME (OFF THE INTERSTATE). THE BAS/ESP LIGHT WAS OFF, AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE ALRIGHT. HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MPH, BUT I WAS FORCED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS A CAR BEHIND ME, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET AROUND ME SAFELY. *TR
THE VEHICLE BRAKES, WITHIN A FIVE SECOND PERIOD, VIOLENTLY ENGAGE AT SEEMING RANDOM PATTERNS AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS HAPPENED TWICE ON TWO DIFFERENT DAYS ROUGHLY A MONTH APART, AND ONLY TWICE, IN THE SAME LOCATION AT EXACTLY THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS (VEHICLE SPEED, WEATHER - SUNNY DAY NO RAIN, STRAIG…
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THE VEHICLE BRAKES, WITHIN A FIVE SECOND PERIOD, VIOLENTLY ENGAGE AT SEEMING RANDOM PATTERNS AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS HAPPENED TWICE ON TWO DIFFERENT DAYS ROUGHLY A MONTH APART, AND ONLY TWICE, IN THE SAME LOCATION AT EXACTLY THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS (VEHICLE SPEED, WEATHER - SUNNY DAY NO RAIN, STRAIGHT ROAD, LIGHT TRAFFIC, SAME 25-30 MPH SPEED). I WENT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER IN TYSONS CORNER AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW OF A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE LOCATION IS THAT IT IS IN WITHIN 50M OF HIGH CAPACITY POWER LINES WHICH GO OVER THE ROAD, AND WITHIN 300M OF AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL RADIO ANTENNA TRUCTURE TOWER. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRONICS OF ONE OR BOTH OF THESE ARE CAUSING THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC STABLILITY CONTROL /BRAKE ASSIST COMPUTER TO GO HAYWIRE AND CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE LOCATION IS ON ROUTE 29 LEE HIGHWAY, VA RIGHT BEFORE THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES OVER THE BELTWAY GOING WESTBOUND, JUST PAST WHERE YOU CROSS UNDER THE POWER LINES THAT GO OVERHEAD. THE RADIO TOWER IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS BRIDGE. 95% OF THE TIME I DROVE THIS EXACT ROUTE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN, SO IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. TURNING THE ENGINE OFF TWICE SEEMS TO RESET THE SYSTEM AND IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE. ALSO NOTE THAT THESE POWERLINES, WITHOUT FAIL, ALSO CAUSE THE SAME CAR'S ALARM TO GO OFF 100% OF THE TIME WHEN I PARK WITHIN 100M OF THEM. THE DEALER DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR CAN HAVE A SPONTANEOUS CAR ALARM ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE CARS BRAKING SAFETY COMPUTER AND PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. IT WOULD USEFUL FOR YOUR STAFF TO USE A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO MAP THE SIMILAR INCIDENTS. I SUSPECT THEY ARE ALL NEAR ELECTRICAL OR RADIO INTERFERENCE AS WELL. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AND ABRUPTLY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SKID AND IT ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
WHILE PULLING OUT THE DRIVEWAY AS IT SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER. AS I DROVE ON AND TURNED AGAIN STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY IT LASTED A WAS BIT LONGER. THE MORE RECENT EVENT OCCURRED ON 12-22-13. NOW ITS VERY HARD TO STEER SO HARD THAT TO DRIVE IS TOO RISKY. I CHECKED THE P…
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WHILE PULLING OUT THE DRIVEWAY AS IT SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO STEER. AS I DROVE ON AND TURNED AGAIN STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY IT LASTED A WAS BIT LONGER. THE MORE RECENT EVENT OCCURRED ON 12-22-13. NOW ITS VERY HARD TO STEER SO HARD THAT TO DRIVE IS TOO RISKY. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS OK. NOW THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT MAY BE THE RACK. *TR
FIRST INCIDENT IN AUGUST 2012 DRIVING 20-30 MPH JUST GOT ON HWY AND CAR SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES. COULD NOT GO OVER 1000RPM WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING BUT FORTUNATELY A POLICEMAN WHO WITNESSED THIS ESCORTED US TO SAFETY ON SINGLE LANE HWY VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED YAW RATE SENSOR FOR $1000. NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN 2/2…
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FIRST INCIDENT IN AUGUST 2012 DRIVING 20-30 MPH JUST GOT ON HWY AND CAR SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES. COULD NOT GO OVER 1000RPM WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING BUT FORTUNATELY A POLICEMAN WHO WITNESSED THIS ESCORTED US TO SAFETY ON SINGLE LANE HWY VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED YAW RATE SENSOR FOR $1000. NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN 2/27/13 AND IS UNDRIVABLE. MOST LIKELY FACING ANOTHER REPLACEMENT OF YAW RATE SENSOR FOR ANOTHER $1000 THAT ONLY LASTED 6 MONTHS LAST TIME. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THESE SAME STORIES ONLINE AND RIDICULOUS THAT MERCEDES BENZ WITH ITS CLASSY REPUTATION WOULD NOT RECALL SUCH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED TO JUSTIFY A RECALL?! I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ANYMORE AND STILL OWE ON THIS HUNK OF JUNK SO I AM STUCK. *TR
MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE 2000 MODELS YEARS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS, DUE TO A FAULTY PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. TH…
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MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE 2000 MODELS YEARS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS, DUE TO A FAULTY PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER, STATING THE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER ASKED ABOUT THE PUMP AND HOSE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THE PUMP WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL AND IT WOULD COST $ 1190 TO REPLACE IT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT JUST THE RECALL PARTS BE REPLACED. BUT, THE DEALER STATED IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55-58 MPH FOR NO REASON BRAKES ENGAGED AND LOCKED WHEELS. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TIRES AND ESP LIGHT CAME ON. MY WIFE (SHE WAS DRIVING) AND TWO SMALL KIDS AS WELL AS I WERE SCARED TO DEATH. WE WERE LUCKY, NOBODY WAS RIGHT BEHIND US AND WE AVOIDED ACCIDENT. AFTER THE ESP LIGHT COME ON EVER…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55-58 MPH FOR NO REASON BRAKES ENGAGED AND LOCKED WHEELS. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TIRES AND ESP LIGHT CAME ON. MY WIFE (SHE WAS DRIVING) AND TWO SMALL KIDS AS WELL AS I WERE SCARED TO DEATH. WE WERE LUCKY, NOBODY WAS RIGHT BEHIND US AND WE AVOIDED ACCIDENT. AFTER THE ESP LIGHT COME ON EVERYTHING WENT TO NORMAL. WE FINISHED OUR TRIP WITH NO MORE BRAKE INCIDENTS. NEXT DAY AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR LIGHT WAS OFF BUT BRAKES LOCKED IN THE MOMENT RPM WENT OVER 1000. SPEED AT THAT TIME WAS ONLY 5-10 MPH. AFTER COMPLETE STOP ESP LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. NONE OF THE MERCEDES BENZ MECHANICS WANTED TO TELL ME WHAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE LIKE THAT FOR THE NEXT YEAR. EVERY TIME I WOULD DRIVE WITHOUT THE ESP LIGHT ON THE BRAKES WILL LOCK IN AND BRING THE CAR TO COMPLETE STOP. I ALSO LEARN THAT IF I START THE CAR AND WAIT FIVE MINUTES LIGHT WILL COME ON AND I CAN RIDE WITHOUT BRAKES LOCKING IN. THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THEN ESP LIGHT STOPPED COMING ON BEFORE DRIVING AND I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE AND CAUSE THE LIGHT TO COME ON. AT THAT TIME ON APRIL 2011 I HAD THE CAR TESTED AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT HAS FAULTY YAW RATE SENSOR AND THE PART COST IS ABOUT $550.00 NOT COUNTING LABOR. I DIDN'T HAVE THIS REPLACED BECAUSE THE COST OF IT AND BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID TRAGEDY ONE DAY. SOMEDAY SOMEBODY WILL DIE IN THE CAR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY YAW RATE SENSOR AND NOBODY WILL EVEN KNOW WHAT LED TO THIS CRUSH. PLEASE HAVE THIS CHECKED QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEBODY WILL GET HURT AND WHO KNOWS MAYBE SOMEBODY ALREADY DID DIE ALREADY AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT. THERE WERE A LOT OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS REPORTED. IT IS DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR ON MERCEDES BENZ PART. REGARDS, ML320 USER *TR
WHILE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH ON THE BQE ROAD (NY), SUDDENLY THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON, ALL THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP. WARNING LIGHT ON A DASHBOARD WAS FLASHING AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE ENGINE DIED. *TR NOT REALIZING WHAT IS HAPPENING, I TRIED TO ADD POWER/GAS TO THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE DIDN'T WANT TO GO P…
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WHILE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH ON THE BQE ROAD (NY), SUDDENLY THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON, ALL THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP. WARNING LIGHT ON A DASHBOARD WAS FLASHING AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE ENGINE DIED. *TR NOT REALIZING WHAT IS HAPPENING, I TRIED TO ADD POWER/GAS TO THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE DIDN'T WANT TO GO PAST 1000 RPM. BEING IN A FAST LANE AND HAVING HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR, I??VE NOTICED OVERPOWERING SMELL OF THE BRAKES. I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED BY THE EVENT AS THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND I WAS JUST HOPING NO ONE WILL REAR ME. STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL HAD ALMOST NO RESULT EVEN THOUGH THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. IT THEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE VERY SLOWLY WHEN MY FOOT WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. SOME 5-10 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND BEHAVING AS NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. HOWEVER, 15 MINUTES INTO THE RIDE, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THIS TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN A SLOW LANE - SOME 30-35 MPH. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND IT STARED FINE AND DROVE FINE FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING. ONCE I PARKED THE CAR, THE BAS ESP LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR VERY NEXT DAY TO A CAR MECHANIC, BUT THE COMPUTER READING DIDN??T GIVE ANY ERRORS, FAULTS NOR NOTIFICATIONS. BY THAT TIME, THE ESP LIGHT WAS OFF ONCE AGAIN. THE INCIDENT RECURRED 3 DAYS LATER WHILE COMING TO A STOP DUE TO A TRAFFIC LIGHTS - SOME 15-20 MPH. MY MECHANIC (AND MY INTERNET SEARCH) ADVISED ME TO CHANGE THE YAW SENSOR. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE SENSOR CAN BECOME FAULTY, BUT FULLY ENGAGING THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I'M NOW WAITING FOR THE YAW SENSOR TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Official recalls
0No 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
4PE10050 · Brake Lamp Switch Failure.
Opened Dec 21, 2010 · Closed May 4, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Vehicle Speed Control
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
PE07007 · Electronic Stability Control Malfunction
Opened Feb 1, 2007 · Closed Jul 11, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electronic Stability Control:automatic (asc)
ODI OPENED PE07-007 AFTER RECEIVING 4 COMPLAINTS WITHIN A 6 WEEK PERIOD ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF UNCOMMANDED BRAKE APPLICATION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2001 MERCEDES M CLASS SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS OR GATHERED IN SUBSEQUENT CONSUMER INTERVIEWS INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY FAULTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) SYSTEM WHICH WERE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE YAW RATE SENSORS.ALTHOUGH THE SAME YAW RATE SENSOR IS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 800,000 OTHER MERCEDES M-CLASS, C-CLASS AND SLK MODELS, TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE RELATED COMPLAINT TO ODI IN THOSE VEHICLES. DURING THIS INVESTIGATION MERCEDES BENZ PROVIDED ODI WITH 327 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE ESP SYSTEM IN THE MY 2000 THROUGH 2001 M CLASS VEHICLES.SEVEN OF THE COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED BY MERCEDES ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNCOMMANDED BRAKE ACTIVATION WHILE DRIVING, WITH TWO OF THESE INVOLVING VEHICLES IDENTIFIED IN THE ODI COMPLAINTS.NONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN CRASH OR INJURY.HOWEVER, THE OWNERS DID EXPRESS SAFETY CONCERNS DUE TO THE SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN VEHICLE SPEED AND DIRECTION. ON MAY 10, 2007 MERCEDES BENZ MET WITH NHTSA TO PROVIDE A TECHNICAL PRESENTATION AND CONDUCT A DRIVING DEMONSTRATION OF THE ESP SYSTEM PERFORMANCE WITH SIMULATED ELECTRICAL FAULTS IN THE YAW RATE SENSOR.MERCEDES SHOWED THAT THE ESP SYSTEM IS PROGRAMMED TO DIAGNOSE ELECTRICAL FAULTS AND THAT BRAKE APPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM YAW RATE SENSOR ELECTRICAL FAULTS ARE VERY SHORT IN DURATION (0.3 SECONDS OR LESS) AND DO NOT AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY. NINE OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND MERCEDES ALLEGED BRAKE ACTIVATIONS LONGER THAN 0.3 SECONDS, WITH SEVERAL ALLEGING THAT THE INCIDENT LASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP.A COMPLAINT VEHICLE THAT ALLEGED MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WAS EVALUATED BY ODI AT THE VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TEST CENTER (VRTC) IN EAST LIBERTY, OHIO.VRTC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION.DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT TO ODI OR MERCEDES SINCE JANUARY 2007, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND OTHER MERCEDES PRODUCTS USING THE SAME YAW RATE SENSOR AND MERCEDES WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON FIELD EXPERIENCE (COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS) THROUGH THE END OF 2007.
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.