2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Problems

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM THE AUCTION IN ALGONA NAMED WHITEY'S PUBLIC AUTO AUCTION AND THAT VERY DAY I HAD TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAK AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES TO LEAK. I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND STARTED TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL.

STEERING IS HARD TO TURN. OVER HEATS AND WILL NOT KEEP COOLINAT DOWN

I was driving full freeway speed when the brake assist system suddenly engaged which slammed on my brakes immediately and sent me skidding all over the freeway trying to maintain control of the vehicle and not crash into anything. All the while the cars behind me had to veer out of the way. Several accidents were almost caused by this incident. This safety feature is now a safety hazard. This should never ever happen. This I'd comparable to an airbag suddenly deploying while driving. An absolutely terrifying experience. The bas fct light came on which is how I learned of the brake assist system. This problem is repeatable because it happened 2 more times as I had to get my vehicle home but luckily I didn't date take the freeway again. Problem just started 5/7/23 without any warning at all.

Hard braking suddenly activated without driver input, smoke coming from front wheels. YAW SENSOR malfunction indicated by OBD scanner (checked after incident)

ONGOING ISSUE THAT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE. VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DIE WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, WITHOUT WARNING, AND TAKE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES TO RESTART. IGNITION WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND NOT START. VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ONE INSTANCE WHERE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED WHILE APPROACHING STOP LIGHT.

2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS VISUALLY INSPECTED AND DOCUMENTED THAT RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *JS

STEERING IS HARD TO TURN. OVER HEATS AND WILL NOT KEEP COOLINAT DOWN

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

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM THE AUCTION IN ALGONA NAMED WHITEY'S PUBLIC AUTO AUCTION AND THAT VERY DAY I HAD TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAK AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES TO LEAK. I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND STARTED TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL.

TAKATA RECALL I JUST BOUGHT A 2000 MERCEDES ML 320. MY AC STOPPED WORKING AND TOOK IT TO A MERCEDES CERTIFIED MECHANIC. TOLD ME IT WAS A PRESSURE SENSOR. HE THEN CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD FALLEN APART AND ALL WIRES WERE TOUCHING EACH OTHER MAKING SHORTS THRU OUT THE CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT THE SHORTS HAD FRIED MY COMPUTER AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX ALL THIS WAS TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. AT ALMOST $2000.00 FOR THE REPAIR IT SEEMS THAT MERCEDES INTENTIONALLY DID THIS TO MAKE MONEY. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE AS THEY DID IT SO THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD BIO DEGRADE WHEN THE CAR WAS JUNKED. NOT A GOOD PRACTICE TO SELL CARS IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE METHOD IN WHICH A FUEL TANK IS FASTENED TO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS USES A STEEL STRUT TO SUPPORT A SERIES OF STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS. THE DISSIMILARITY IN METALS USED IN FASTENING THE HARDWARE OF BOTH COMBINED WITH EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS WILL CAUSE THE STRUT TO CORRODE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL TANK TO DROP ONTO THE ROADWAY WITHOUT PRIOR SYMPTOMS OR WARNING. THE CORROSION AT THE CRITICAL FASTING POINTS IS NOT OBVIOUS WITH ROUTINE INSPECTION. WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM 1998 THROUGH 2005 STILL ON THE ROAD TODAY, OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.

AS I NOTICED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THEY ALL FOCUS IN THE POWER STEERING ISSUES, FUEL / OIL LEAKS AND LOSS, ESP OPTION , ELECTRICAL MAIL FUNCTIONS THAT RELATE WITH THE ECU, PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTER. ALL THESE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS SINCE ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT . I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN MY CAR AND IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AS THE CAR IS NOT IN SPEED MOTION UNLESS YOU USE STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL , THE ESP IS NOT WORKING AT ALL , THE SHIFTER IS NOT CHANGING TO DRIVE UNLESS YOU OVERRIDE IT AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO START IT AND THE FUEL ALONG WITH THE OIL IS LEAKING AND ALL THE FLUIDS ARE DISAPPEARING IN NO TIME . ALL THESE ARE SAFETY HAZARDS AND NOT JUST A SIMPLE PROBLEM . THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REPAIR FOR ALL OF THESE ISSUES ASAP FREE OF CHARGE FROM MERCEDES FOR THE OWNERS OF THE PARTICULAR DEFECTIVE VEHICLES . THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

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

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

MY ML 320 YEAR 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS GOING 30 MILES AND HOUR. NO SIGN OF ANY PROBLEM (THAN ENGINE STALLED). THIS IS SCARY AND MUST BE INVESTIGATED. I ALMOST HIT A CAR. IT DID NOT START FOR 20 MINUTES AND THEN IT STARTED. IT WILL CRANK-START FOR 20 SECONDS AND ENGINE WILL STOP AGAIN. CAR STARTED WORKING FINE AFTER 45 MINUTES WAIT. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 SUV. THIS VEHICLE SHIFTS AUTOMATICALLY FROM DRIVE TO FIRST GEAR WHEN GOING AT LAWFUL HIGH SPEED AND SOMETIMES LOW SPEEDS, DANGEROUSLY SLOWING THE VEHICLE PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIVES AND OTHER DRIVERS IN PERIL ON THE ROAD. THE ABOVE INCIDENT OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS VISUALLY INSPECTED AND DOCUMENTED THAT RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT TRIED TO REMOVE ONE OF THE REAR SEATS IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT TWO OF THE BOLTS ROTATED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE FAILURE CONFIRMED THAT THE BOLTS WERE IMPROPERLY WELDED. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED HIM TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000. UPDATED 03/09/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB

ON APRIL 21, 2016 WE PURCHASED TWO USED TIRES FROM A LOCAL COMPANY CALLED TIRE TRACKS FOR OUR SON'S CAR. THEY WERE GENERAL TIRES CALLED "GRABBERS", P255/65R16. THE REAR TIRES WERE MOVED TO THE FRONT AND THE TIRES THAT WE PURCHASED WERE PUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A "COURTESY INSPECTION" WAS PERFORMED. ON MAY 12, 2016 OUR SON HAD A LEFT REAR BLOWOUT AS HE WAS EXITING I-49 SOUTH. HE WAS NOT INJURED BUT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO HIS CAR WHERE THE STEEL BELT HAD REPEATEDLY HIT HIS CAR UNTIL HE COULD PULL OVER SAFELY. THE COMPANY REPLACED THE TIRE. THEN ON JUNE 15, 2016 I WAS FOLLOWING MY SON HOME FROM LITTLE ROCK. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-49. HE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE TRAVELING 70-75 MPH AND HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT WITH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THANKFULLY, HE WAS NOT INJURED AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. DAMAGE TO HIS CAR WAS MORE SEVERE. HIS RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS BUSTED AS WELL AS HIS BUMPER. AGAIN, THE RIGHT REAR FENDER SUSTAINED DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE STEEL BELT REPEATEDLY HITTING HIS CAR. THE COMPANY

POWER LOST ON STEERING WHEEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL DOWN BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS, THEY FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE ABS, BRAKE FAILURE SWITCH, AND ESP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN USING THE POWER STEERING TO ATTEMPT TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE COMPLETING THE TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

WINDOW SWITCH KEEPS GOING OUT. WINDOW IS WILLING TO GO DOWN, WHEM PULLING THE SWITCH UP, WINDOWS WONT GO BACK UP. *TR

THIS IS FOR A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. IT JUST PASSED 60,000 MILES AND NOTICED A BROKEN SPRING (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE. BROKEN SECTION IS THE BOTTOM MOST "RING" OF THE SPRING AND THE BROKEN PIECE IS STILL ON THE CAR. *JB

DT: CALLER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN 6 TIMES FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/SPARK PLUGS BEING CORRODED/LOOSE WHEEL BEARING/CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT/FOR SHAKING AND SPUTTERING AT IDLE, AND THE ELECTRIC FUNCTION CHECK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER BEING DRIVEN OVER A BUMP. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE TRANSFER CASE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM

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

STEERING IS HARD TO TURN. OVER HEATS AND WILL NOT KEEP COOLINAT DOWN

ON APRIL 21, 2016 WE PURCHASED TWO USED TIRES FROM A LOCAL COMPANY CALLED TIRE TRACKS FOR OUR SON'S CAR. THEY WERE GENERAL TIRES CALLED "GRABBERS", P255/65R16. THE REAR TIRES WERE MOVED TO THE FRONT AND THE TIRES THAT WE PURCHASED WERE PUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A "COURTESY INSPECTION" WAS PERFORMED. ON MAY 12, 2016 OUR SON HAD A LEFT REAR BLOWOUT AS HE WAS EXITING I-49 SOUTH. HE WAS NOT INJURED BUT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO HIS CAR WHERE THE STEEL BELT HAD REPEATEDLY HIT HIS CAR UNTIL HE COULD PULL OVER SAFELY. THE COMPANY REPLACED THE TIRE. THEN ON JUNE 15, 2016 I WAS FOLLOWING MY SON HOME FROM LITTLE ROCK. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-49. HE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE TRAVELING 70-75 MPH AND HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT WITH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THANKFULLY, HE WAS NOT INJURED AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. DAMAGE TO HIS CAR WAS MORE SEVERE. HIS RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS BUSTED AS WELL AS HIS BUMPER. AGAIN, THE RIGHT REAR FENDER SUSTAINED DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE STEEL BELT REPEATEDLY HITTING HIS CAR. THE COMPANY

ON APRIL 21, 2016 WE PURCHASED TWO USED TIRES FROM A LOCAL COMPANY CALLED TIRE TRACKS FOR OUR SON'S CAR. THEY WERE GENERAL TIRES CALLED "GRABBERS", P255/65R16. THE REAR TIRES WERE MOVED TO THE FRONT AND THE TIRES THAT WE PURCHASED WERE PUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A "COURTESY INSPECTION" WAS PERFORMED. ON MAY 12, 2016 OUR SON HAD A LEFT REAR BLOWOUT AS HE WAS EXITING I-49 SOUTH. HE WAS NOT INJURED BUT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO HIS CAR WHERE THE STEEL BELT HAD REPEATEDLY HIT HIS CAR UNTIL HE COULD PULL OVER SAFELY. THE COMPANY REPLACED THE TIRE. THEN ON JUNE 15, 2016 I WAS FOLLOWING MY SON HOME FROM LITTLE ROCK. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-49. HE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE TRAVELING 70-75 MPH AND HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT WITH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THANKFULLY, HE WAS NOT INJURED AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. DAMAGE TO HIS CAR WAS MORE SEVERE. HIS RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS BUSTED AS WELL AS HIS BUMPER. AGAIN, THE RIGHT REAR FENDER SUSTAINED DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE STEEL BELT REPEATEDLY HITTING HIS CAR. THE COMPANY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL DOWN BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS, THEY FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE ABS, BRAKE FAILURE SWITCH, AND ESP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN USING THE POWER STEERING TO ATTEMPT TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE COMPLETING THE TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER HAS INSPECTED, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *TS. THE SUN ROOF BLEW OFF THE VEHICLE, THE ABS FAILED, THE DOOR LOCKS, HANDLES AND SIDE MIRRORS WERE ALSO INOPERATIVE. *JB

BOTH FRONTAL SEAT BELTS WOULD CONTINUE TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. BOTH SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED / SERVICED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BY DEALER. BUT, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. OIL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BETWEEN 200-600 MILES OF DRIVING. TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VERY POOR. *NM