2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Airbags Problems

SRS. ETS. ABA LIGHTS ON. BUZZING. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327057

Incident

Jun 2, 2020

Mileage

195,000 mi

DEFECTIVE 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

NHTSA ID

10676171

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF A 2000 MERCEDES ML320 FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER WITH APPROX. 30,000 MILES. TODAY IT HAS APPROX 73,000 MILES. SINCE OWNING IT, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WHICH WERE ALL OUT OF WARRANTY AND WHICH I FEEL WERE UNWARRANTED AND WERE NOT SERIOUSLY ATTENDED TO BY MB OR THE DEALER: THIS COMPLAINT FORM WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE ACCORDING TO THE FIELDS PROVIDED. THE EQUIPMENT INFORMATION INCLUDED IS NOT CORRECT AND WAS INCLUDED JUST TO GET TO THE FORM. I FELT THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHOULD BE REPORTED SPECIFICALLY THE ESP LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG PROBLEMS AT ABOUT 51,000 MILES, THE AIRBAG BECAME INOPERATIVE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2000 TO REPAIR AND CORRECT. DEALER OFFERED A SMALL ADJUSTMENT. I CHOSE NOT TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT. AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES, I BEGAN HAVING VERY LOUD NOISES THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AND APPEARED TO BE A BRAKE PROBLEM. DEALER DID TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS, BUT COULDN'T ISOLATE THE PROBLEM UNLESS "HE HAD TO TAKE THE WHOLE CAR APART" THERE WAS A RELATED PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ESP LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY THAT THE DEALER ADVISED COULD NOT BE ISOLATED UNLESS I DID THE WORK ON THE BRAKE AND THE CRANKSHAFT:" AT ABOUT 72,000 MILES, THE CAR DEVELOPED OIL LEAKS FROM THE MOTOR. EST. COST OF REPAIR WAS $2000. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING. IN MAY, I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL OF THE CAR. NO WORD ON THAT ISSUE SINCE. BECAUSE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL NOTICE I RECEIVED, I WAS PROMPTED TO WRITE YOU ABOUT THESE OTHER ISSUES AND BECAME FURTHER CONCERNED ABOUT THE ESP LIGHT AND THE FAULTY AIR BAG THE CARE HAS HAD., CAR IS DRIVEN AN AVERAGE OF 150 MILES A WEEK IN MOSTLY CITY DRIVING. CAR IS SERVICED BUT NOT BY THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST AND RELATIVE DISSATISFACTION FROM THE SERVICE PROVIDED. UPDATED 07/27/11 *TR

NHTSA ID

10408880

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

Mileage

51,000 mi

SRS LIGHT CAME ON 2006. I CALLED DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS LIKELY A FAILED CHILD SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS ADVISED THE SRS WAS STILL INTACT AND THAT THESE SENSORS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL [MB 2000 ML 320]. AUGUST 2008 DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT I'VE HAD NO SRS WORKING SINCE THE LIGHT WENT ON AND SO I PAID $900 TO HAVE A $291 PART REPLACED - $700 IN LABOR. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT A SAFETY FEATURE LIGHT WARNING LIKE THE SRS - AND A FAILED SENSOR - NEEDS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238468

Incident

Aug 11, 2008

Mileage

90,000 mi

THIS IS A COMPLAINT CONCERNING A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT COMES INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. FIRST TIME WAS APRIL 2006, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPERVILL MERCEDES BENZ. ADVISED THAT THERE WOULD BE A $300 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. PROBLEM WAS "BABY SMART" SENSOR IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD EITHER EAT THE $300 CHARGE OR HAVE IT FIXED. FINAL BILL WAS $1,063.86 PROBLEM RE-APPEARED FEBRUARY 2008. CALLED SAME DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT SAME PROCEDURE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX. I HAVE DECLINED TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. CHECKED ON INTERNET BY GOOGLING "ML 320 SRS FAILURE" AND FOUND NUMEROUS CASES OF SAME PROBLEM. CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10217442

Incident

Feb 2, 2008

Mileage

79,533 mi

THE CONSUMER'S MERCEDES BENZ M L 320 SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. *BF AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE CONSUMER PARKED IN A MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER IT WENT INTO STICK MODE AGAIN. THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER AND WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT END VIBRATED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10113591

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

Mileage

31,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERE NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY IN FOR SERVICE FOR RELATED REPAIRS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10049920

Incident

Aug 1, 2003

Mileage

40,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS BEING SERVICED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER AND CAUSED DAMAGE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH SIDES OF THE DOORS WERE SMASHED AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN THE PASSENGER'S CABIN. OTHER PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, ENGINE LOW LEVEL OIL LIGHT HAD COME ON, WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT REAR WINDOWS WERE ERRATIC WHEN GOING DOWN, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE REAR CARGO ACCESSORY PLUG WAS INOPERATIVE, THE TRIM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT SEAT CRACKED, THERE WAS A BULDGE ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, LUG BOLTS WERE MISSING ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND THE REAR PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD IN THE REAR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, THE POWER SUPPLY PLUG IN THE REAR CARGO AREA WAS INOPERATIVE, THE LIGHT BEHIND THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW WAS INTERMITTENT, THE LEFT FRONT PARK LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WAS NOT CLOSING DUE TO THE LATCHING, THE REAR ELECTRICAL PLUG IN THE REAR CARGO AREA WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MATERIAL ON THE CENTER CONSOLE WRINKLED, THE SUNROOF WOULD BIND WHEN OPENED, THE REAR TIRE HAD A KNOT ON THE SIDEWALL, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD GO DOWN, THERE WAS A NOISE IN HE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHEN DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WAS STIFF. *SC

NHTSA ID

10065115

VARIOUS PROBLEMS INVOLVING 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 / ALSO AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*MR CONSUMER WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL THE DOORS WERE SMASHED IN YET NONE OF THE SIX AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE MECHANIC MANY TIMES FOR REPAIRS BUT TO NO AVAIL. CONSUMER FELT VEHICLE MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE OR GET MONEY BACK. *PH

NHTSA ID

10053541

I WAS SEVERELY INJURED WHEN MY 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 FAILED TO STEER IN AN ATTEMPTED U-TURN RESULTING IN IMPACT WITH A TREE. I WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH THREE FACIAL FRACTURES (EYE SOCKET, JAW, AND NOSE). THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REASON FOR THE ACCIDENT WAS FAILURE OF THE CARS STEERING MECHANISM WHICH HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN RECALLED. I ALSO FEEL THE DEALERSHIP LIED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR (SUV) SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. I HAVE AN ONGOING MEDICAL ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10037604

Incident

Jun 19, 2001

Mileage

6,000 mi

IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR 25/30 MINUTES AND TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ID

10024252

Incident

Jan 17, 2003

Mileage

450,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 30 OR SO MINUTES, STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR, THE "AIR BAG OFF" AND "SRS" WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. PER VEHICLE MANUAL, WHEN THESE TWO LIGHTS ARE ON IT MEANS THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE AIR BAGS MAY GO OFF WHEN THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO OR THEY MAY NOT TRIGGER WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. THE MANUAL SAYS THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT WHEN I ASKED THEM IF THEY COULD ASSURE ME THE AIR BAGS WOULD WORK PROPERLY OR NOT, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SAY THAT EITHER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 10 TO 12 MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10023230

Incident

Jun 1, 2002

Mileage

45,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER WAS HIT ON DRIVE SIDE AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *TT

NHTSA ID

8010644

Incident

May 24, 2002

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERE MAUNFACTRUING DEFECTS IN THE ENITE SRS ( SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM). THESE DEFECTS ARE ON-GOING. TO DATE, THE MANUFACTRUER HAS NOT COMPLIED WITH 2 WRTTEN REQUETS VIA CERTIFIED MAIL TO REPLACE THE VEHILCE OR TO REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE. A FRIEND WHO PURCHASED AN S-CLASS CAR THE SAME WEEK HAS HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SRS SYSTEM OF HIS MERCEDES.

NHTSA ID

727327