NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
88 reports200,000 miles · Mar 16, 2017
EngineSteering
I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB, STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING WHINING NOISES AND HARDER TO TURN. I CONTINUED ON CITY STREETS THEN TO A FREEWAY WHERE MY CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION OPENED THE HOOD AND COULD SEE FLUID ALL OVER RIGHT LOWER DRIVER SIDE. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM A HOSE BY THE POWER STEE…
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I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB, STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING WHINING NOISES AND HARDER TO TURN. I CONTINUED ON CITY STREETS THEN TO A FREEWAY WHERE MY CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION OPENED THE HOOD AND COULD SEE FLUID ALL OVER RIGHT LOWER DRIVER SIDE. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM A HOSE BY THE POWER STEERING CAP AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR. UNDER THE CAR SAME SPOT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE I COULD SEE POWER STEERING AND RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING FROM THAT AREA.
NHTSA ODI #10966233
150,000 miles · Mar 1, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PART WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION AND THAT THE CONTACT MAY REPLACE THE PART WITH AN AFTERMARKET CATALYTIC CONVERTER; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT PASS AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE PART WITH AN OEM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10957858
135,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OCCURRING IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS REGARDING SPEED, WEATHER, ROAD CONDITIONS, ETC., I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING THE FRONT BRAKES, BOTH WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AND ON STRAIGHTAWAYS. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TRIANGLE HAZARD LIGHT AND ESP LIGHTS START FLASHING. MOST OFTEN I HA…
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ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OCCURRING IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS REGARDING SPEED, WEATHER, ROAD CONDITIONS, ETC., I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING THE FRONT BRAKES, BOTH WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AND ON STRAIGHTAWAYS. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TRIANGLE HAZARD LIGHT AND ESP LIGHTS START FLASHING. MOST OFTEN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THANKFULLY SAFELY, OR ON ONE OCCASION STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS THE CAR WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING WHICH WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE SENSORS, WHICH DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, AND RETURNED TO HAVE THEM AGAIN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND DECLINED THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS SUCH AS REPLACING THE BACK BRAKE SENSORS, UNTIL I CAME UPON THE REPEATED ISSUES OF THE STABILITY SENSORS FAILING (SPECIFICALLY THE YAW SENSOR). I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT, TO DATE, THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUE AND NO ONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM (I FILED A PREVIOUS CLAIM, BUT THE WEBSITE WENT UNDER MAINTENANCE AND CLOSED MY COMPLAINT AS I WAS FILING AND WAS GIVEN ID #10923983, BUT THERE IS NO INFORMATION FILED IN ASSOCIATION THAT I COULD FIND HENCE THE RE-FILING). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10923995
135,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND NUMEROUS DIFFERENT SPEEDS, WEATHER, BOTH DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY OR TURNING, AND OTHER ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP ON THE CAR CAUSING IT TO VEER RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES. MOST OFTEN I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER, THANKFULLY SAFELY, OR ON ONE OCCASION, STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE R…
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND NUMEROUS DIFFERENT SPEEDS, WEATHER, BOTH DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY OR TURNING, AND OTHER ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP ON THE CAR CAUSING IT TO VEER RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES. MOST OFTEN I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER, THANKFULLY SAFELY, OR ON ONE OCCASION, STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WHICH IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME REPLACE THE BRAKE SENSORS WHICH WERE OBVIOUSLY NOT THE PROBLEM AND THEN RECOMMENDED OTHER REPLACEMENTS, SINCE THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, THAT I DECLINED UNTIL I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE STABILITY SENSORS IN THIS VEHICLE (SPECIFICALLY THE YAW SENSOR). I'M AMAZED THIS IS NOT A RECALL SITUATION AND THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10923983
144,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #10894297
600,014 miles · Jul 25, 2016
Service Brakes
BRAKES APPLIED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT PEDAL PRESSURE WHILE CAR WAS MOVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FRONT BRAKES WERE SMOKING BY THE TIME I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP OFF THE 4-LANE ROAD ON A SIDE ROAD. REAR BRAKES SEEMED HOT, BUT NOT SMOKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THIS HIGHWAY EVENT, CAR HAD JUST BEEN TRAVELING…
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BRAKES APPLIED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT PEDAL PRESSURE WHILE CAR WAS MOVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FRONT BRAKES WERE SMOKING BY THE TIME I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP OFF THE 4-LANE ROAD ON A SIDE ROAD. REAR BRAKES SEEMED HOT, BUT NOT SMOKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THIS HIGHWAY EVENT, CAR HAD JUST BEEN TRAVELING AROUND 35 MPH ON HILLY SIDE ROADS WITH STEEP ASCENTS AND DESCENTS. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME BRAKES HAVE SELF-APPLIED IN A SIMILAR MANNER. AFTER SECOND EVENT, DEALER EXAMINED CAR BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANY FAULTS ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. WHEN BRAKES COOL, CAR RESTARTS WITHOUT BRAKES COMING ON. BRAKE PADS AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED 6,000 MILES EARLIER; SIGNIFICANT BRAKE DRAG WAS PRESENT FOR AROUND TWO HUNDRED MILES AFTER THAT REPAIR; DEALER SAID BRAKES WERE SELF-ADJUSTING AND DECLINED TO EXAMINE CAR AT THAT TIME. IT WAS ABOUT 4,000 MILES AFTER BRAKE PAD/SENSOR REPLACEMENT THAT THE SELF-BRAKING PROBLEM STARTED.
NHTSA ODI #10888170
180 miles · Jun 19, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I HAVE A 2002 ML320, THE RADIO IS OUT AND THE HOLE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING CAUSING A LEAK, ESP/BAS STAYS ON CAUSING LOW TRACTION AND THE DOOR LOCK. THESE ITEMS WERE RECALLED ON THE M-CLASS 320, WHAT HAPPENED TO THES RECALLS.
NHTSA ODI #10875060
175,000 miles · Mar 1, 2016
Electrical SystemService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EBS AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND WHEN BEING DRIVE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EBS AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.
NHTSA ODI #10839233
154,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS FRACTURED AND FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS FRACTURED AND FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 2003-040005. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
NHTSA ODI #10820893
139,000 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RED AND HOT. THE ESP WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE ESP CABLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RED AND HOT. THE ESP WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE ESP CABLE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 7/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10723025
NHTSA investigations
1PE10050 · 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
Illustration