IllustrationTOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON ALL FOUR WHEELS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF APOLLA HIGH SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL HOURS. MERCEDES SAYS MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. *JB
2002 Mercedes Benz ML320
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320 do not stand out strongly from 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
100–25K
525–50K
1150–75K
1175–100K
20100–150K
9150K+
66 reports with mileage · 22 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports8 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
88 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN SEVEN TIMES FOR SERVICE ON THE BRAKE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WA…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN SEVEN TIMES FOR SERVICE ON THE BRAKE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHUT OFF, AND RESTARTED LATER, THE GEARSHIFT BECAME STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, AND THE DEALER TEMPORARILY REPAIRED BOTH ISSUES. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TWO PROBLEMS WERE RELATED.*AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE HEATED SEAT COILS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED UP AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CLOTHING BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *NM
MY CONCERN IS ABOUT SAFETY. ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAVE SENT MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 TO THE DEALER WITH SPONGY BRAKES. IN FACT, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. I'M TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I BELIEVE IT TO BE UNSAFE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *JB
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTING. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUALLY GOES OUT WITHOUT NOTICE. SOMETIME THE INTERIOR LEFT TURN LIGHTS UP AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. OTHER TIMES THE INTERIOR LEFT TURN LIGHT GOES COMPLETELY OUT PLACING ME AND MY CHILDREN IN GREAT DANGER. ALSO I MADE A LEFT TURN…
Read full complaint
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTING. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUALLY GOES OUT WITHOUT NOTICE. SOMETIME THE INTERIOR LEFT TURN LIGHTS UP AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. OTHER TIMES THE INTERIOR LEFT TURN LIGHT GOES COMPLETELY OUT PLACING ME AND MY CHILDREN IN GREAT DANGER. ALSO I MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING WENT OUT JUST AS I ENTERED THE BELTWAY AND WAS UNABLE STEER THE VEHICLE. *NM
I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES ML320. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS ON, IT STARTED TO SMOKE, WAS VERY HOT IN ONE SPOT, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF MELTING THE LEATHER. THE HEATER HAD ONLY BEEN ON FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. COULD ALSO FEEL AN ELECTRICAL PULSING, LIKE A CURRENT AT THE SIGHT.WE PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT, FOR FEAR OF I…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES ML320. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS ON, IT STARTED TO SMOKE, WAS VERY HOT IN ONE SPOT, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF MELTING THE LEATHER. THE HEATER HAD ONLY BEEN ON FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. COULD ALSO FEEL AN ELECTRICAL PULSING, LIKE A CURRENT AT THE SIGHT.WE PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT, FOR FEAR OF IT STARTING ON FIRE. CONTACTED BLACK FOREST MOTORS THE NEXT DAY, THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT WE COULD ORDER A NEW SEAT AT OUR COST. THIS TOOK PLACE ON 1-27-05. ON 2-8-5, IN THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, THERE IS AN ARTICLE OF THIS HAPPENING IN 2003 MODELS.*AK
I OWN A MERCEDES BENZE ML320 SUV. IT IS NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING (AT THE SEED OF EVEN AT 35 - 40 MILE PER HOUR) IF THERE IS ANY WATER ON THE ROAD THERE OCCURS A HUGE FASH AND MOST OF IT COMES TO THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES THE DRIVER VIEW OF SIDE AND FRONT BLIND. WE HAVE EXPERIMENTED THE SAME WITH OTHER MINI VAN AND CARS THAT WE …
Read full complaint
I OWN A MERCEDES BENZE ML320 SUV. IT IS NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING (AT THE SEED OF EVEN AT 35 - 40 MILE PER HOUR) IF THERE IS ANY WATER ON THE ROAD THERE OCCURS A HUGE FASH AND MOST OF IT COMES TO THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES THE DRIVER VIEW OF SIDE AND FRONT BLIND. WE HAVE EXPERIMENTED THE SAME WITH OTHER MINI VAN AND CARS THAT WE OWN, NONE OF THEM DOES IT LIKE THIS ONE. WE ALMOST HAD FEW ACCIDENT BY LUCKY TO BE SAVED OUT OF IT. WE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY SUGGESETED EITHER NOT TO DRIVE OR TO DRIVE BELLOW 25 MILE PER HOUR. WHICH WE FELT IS NOT A VALUABLE SUSSESSION. SPECIALLY THE CITY I LIVE (HOUSTON, TX) ROADS WILL HAVE SOME WATER IF IT JUST RAINS FOR FEW MINUTS. WE WOULD LIKE APPROPRIATION ACTION AND WARINGS TO BE GIVEN TO ALL OWNERS / DRIVERS AS WELL AS FIX THE PROBLEM TO AVOID MAJOR ACCIDENTS. *AK
OIL SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A QUART OF OIL EVERY THREE DAYS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
FRONT END- SUSPENSION COMPONENTS/ BODY EXPERIENCING KNOCKING NOISE..
THE POWER STEERING ON THE ML320 DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND TO ABRUPT CHANGES OF DIRECTION IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I HAVE STEERED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED (<10MPH) AND THEN QUICKLY TRIED TO STEER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE POWER STEERING REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE TO CHANGE THE INITIAL STEER D…
Read full complaint
THE POWER STEERING ON THE ML320 DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND TO ABRUPT CHANGES OF DIRECTION IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I HAVE STEERED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED (<10MPH) AND THEN QUICKLY TRIED TO STEER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE POWER STEERING REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE TO CHANGE THE INITIAL STEER DIRECTION AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE DIRECTION. THIS COULD EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS BEHAVIOUR IS UNIQUE TO MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE BUT IS INSTEAD A COMMON TRAIT OF ALL MLS.*AK
Official recalls
101V290000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm
Sep 10, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFIED STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CONTROL ARM COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
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
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