1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 Owner Complaints

DECEMBER 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY BENZ QUIT ON ME IN THE ROAD WOULD NOT START BACK (MY HOME IS WITHIN 2 MILES OF MY WORK) THE DAY BEFORE IT HAD QUIT AS I WAS MAKING A TURN BUT RESTARTED A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR I HAD THE CAR WARMING AND IT SHUT OFF WHILE WARMING UP BUT RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL LIT OR STAYING LIT. AFTER SOME INTERNET INVESTIGATING I ASSUME IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AS IT HAD ALL THE SIGNS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD I PURCHASED ONE FOR THE REPAIR SHOP TO INSTALL. THEY HAVE INSTALLED IT BUT BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT SO I AM NOT CURRENTLY DRIVING IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH IT QUITTING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. MY BENZ HAS LESS THAN 65K I DON'T HAVE THE CURRENT MILEAGE WITH ME AT THIS TIME BUT IF IT IS NEEDED PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557938

Incident

Dec 11, 2013

Mileage

65,000 mi

AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY I NOTICED A LOUD EXHAUST SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. AFTER PULLING OVER IOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR ANT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SPLIT IN HALF ALONG THE WELDS. *TR BASICALLY, THE EXHAUST IS VENTING DIRECTLY TO THE OPEN AIR WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE LEFT SIDE EXHAUST NOT HOLDING TOGETHER CORRECTLY. I THEN FOUND THAT MY CAR HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC AND DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG SETTLEMENT (EPA) AFFECTED VEHICLES: THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER: 1999-2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320 (VIN RANGE A036519-A260405) 1999 -2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML 430 ( VIN RANGE A057639-A260575) THERE IS NO MILEAGE LIMIT OR TIME LIMIT FOR THIS REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. I AM AN OWNER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE BUT THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HOW DO I PROCEED TO GET THIS VIOLATION REPAIRED? CAN YOU PLEASE POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? THIS IS A HEALTH/SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU, SCOTT

NHTSA ID

10509362

Incident

Apr 19, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE BRAKELINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID AND THE ABILITY TO STOP THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10433941

Incident

Oct 20, 2011

Mileage

71,000 mi

TL* THE OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 430. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTING MAKING A NOISE AND LEAKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC NOTICE THE WELDING WAS CRACKING. THE MECHANIC PULLED UP A RECALL AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR AND THE DEALER STATED DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER, THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED TO THE CONTACT THAT HE CALL MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THEIR IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THE RECALL CAMPAIGN IS CLOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

10357002

Incident

Sep 15, 2010

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL POP. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SOUNDED SIMILAR TO A LOUD MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TWO FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

10345951

Incident

Jul 14, 2010

Mileage

131,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 MERCEDES ML-430. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE LED REAR VIEW MIRROR, FILTERING THROUGH THE MIRROR AND CAUSING VISIBILITY DIFFICULTIES. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR CORRODING THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT FELT THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS AFFECTING HER LINE OF SIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ID

10324659

Incident

Apr 5, 2010

Mileage

57,000 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY FUEL TANK SENSOR IS BROKEN AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES DEALERS SELL THE FUEL TANK SENSOR WITH THE FUEL TANK AS ONE UNIT. THEREFORE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS ENORMOUS. IN ADDITION AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND THAT COMPLAINTS FOR THE ML MODELS AND THE FUEL TANK IS NUMEROUS AND WORTH NOTICING. THIS DEFECT HAS OCCURRED IN THE MAJORITY OF MERCEDES ML MODELS AND THE DEALER ACTUALLY HAS A HUGE INVENTORY OF FUEL TANKS IN ORDER TO PROFIT FROM THIS DEFECT. NOT ONLY IS IT DANGER BUT IT CAUSES A HEADACHE FOR CONSUMERS FOR FAIL THE EMISSIONS TEST BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SHEER COST OF REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10286165

Incident

Apr 20, 2008

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND FORWARD AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. HE ASSUMED SOMETHING WAS LOOSE UNDER THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT BEARING WAS LOOSE. AFTER REPAIRING THE SHAFT, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS ALSO CAUSING THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT STATE ANYTHING ABOUT REPAIRING THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 04/13/09.*JB THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY$ 3850 FOR A NEW TRANSFER CASE. UPDATED 06/15/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10264001

Incident

Mar 21, 2009

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID OVER TIME. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD COST $1,050 TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

NHTSA ID

10253972

Incident

Dec 20, 2008

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 2003040005, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS 60 MILES AWAY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AGAIN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS INACCURATE AND THE EXACT FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,212.

NHTSA ID

10252583

Incident

Dec 16, 2008

Mileage

139,212 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING BEGAN WORKING AGAIN HOWEVER, HE STILL FELT RESISTANCE WHEN TURNING. IN ADDITION, THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND WAS ADVISED TO WAIT FOR THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR AND STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAS INVOICES TO SUPPORT HIS COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

NHTSA ID

10251317

Incident

Oct 30, 2008

Mileage

186,000 mi

THE CAR STARTED FROM FREQUENTLY POWER CUT-OFF WHEN DRIVING, AFTER PULL OFF THE ROAD BY POLICE AND THE ENGINE COOL DOWN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR, IT WOULD START AND RUN FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 MILES AND STOPPED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO WAS FIXED FOR OVER $500.00 FOR CRANKSHAFT PULLEY POWER FAILURE. PRIOR TO THAT, I REPLACED WATER-PUMP COST ABOUT $700.00. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DIVING TO WORK WHICH IS ABOUT 9 MILES FROM MY HOUSE; I DROVE FOR ABOUT 6 MILES AND THE CAR JACKED-UP 3 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED, I WAS LUCKY NOT HAVING ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER CAR. AFTER PULLED ASIDE FROM THE TRAFFIC BY POLICE, I CALLED TOW-TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE SAME DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF FORT WASHINGTON 1401 DRESHER TOWN ROAD DRESHER, PA 19025, PHONE: 215-646-7700). THREE DAYS LATER, I CALLED THE DEALER WHEN I DID NOT HEAR FROM THEM, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT, AND WILL COST ME $6,800.00. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT; WHILE THE CAR IS STILL WITH THE DEALER, I RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL LETTER #2003-040005 FROM ANOTHER BRANCH OF MERCEDES-BENZ FOR THIS SAME CAR. THE CAR IS STILL WITH THE DEALER THEY DO NOT WANT TO REPAIR IT AND I DO NOT HAVE $6,800.00 TO REPAIR IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250140

Incident

Nov 11, 2008

MY VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START AGAIN AFTER IF HAS BEEN RUNNING AND SHUT OFF. FOR EXAMPLE IT FREQUENTLY HAPPENS AT THE GAS STATION. I CAN'T GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER I FILL UP FOR SOMETIMES 45 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10218412

Incident

Feb 14, 2008

Mileage

200,000 mi

COMPLAINT WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE SUDDEN ONSET OF 1999 ML 430 MERCEDES BENZ SUV FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SPECIFIC TO THE HARMONIC PULLEY WHICH WAS REPLACED. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE TO WORK ON 6/1/07 THE CAR SUDDEN BEGAN TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (NO PRIOR WARNING OR SYMPTOMS WERE PRESENT.) *TR

NHTSA ID

10192473

Incident

Jun 1, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

DRIVING MY 1999 ML430 MERCEDES BENZ ON I-85 IN HOGANSVILLE, GA AT A SPEED OF 80 MPH WHEN THE CAR'S HOOD OPENED UP AND SLAMMED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON REVIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED I DISCOVERED THAT THE HOOD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE HOOD LATCH. THE LATCH WAS STILL FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE CAR. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS CAUSED BY THIS INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10191828

Incident

May 27, 2007

LN LATE AUGUST, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZML430. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALER TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND TESTS, MERCEDES BENZ DECIDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. OWNER INCURRED COST OF LABOR. IN NOVEMBER, DRIVER WAS PARKING CAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. KEY RELEASED IN ERROR CAUSING CAR TO ROLL INTO A RAVINE AND HIT A TREE. MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OF THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. IN FACT, THEY STATE THAT THE KEYS(3)ARE WORN DOWN AND NO LONGER PROVIDE THE SAFETY BY LIMITING THE RELEASE OF THE KEY UNLESS THE CAR IS IN PARK MODE. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO MERCEDES BENZ FOR INVESTIGATION. AFTER A TWO WEEK INVESTIGATION, MERCEDES CLAIMS THE KEYS(3) WERE WORN OUT AND THAT IS WHY THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE FAILED. MERCEDES IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM OR FIXING THE CAR. THE RESULT OF THIS "DEFECT" COULD INVOLVE SEVERAL FATALITIES. IF A DRIVER CAN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK, THIS FEATURE CAN NOT BE CLAIMED AS SAFE. IF MERCEDES CLAIMS THIS IS A KEY ISSUE, THEN ADDITIONAL SAFETY FEATURES SHOULD BE IN PLACE TO ALERT THE CONSUMER TO THIS PROBLEM. WHILE SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT, IT WAS NECESSARY TO FILL IN THE FIELD OF "HEADLIGHT LENSES." WRITER WAS NOT GIVEN ANY OPTIONS AND SO INPUTTED THIS INFORMATION IN ORDER TO PROCEED. AS YOU CAN SEE THE HEADLIGHT LENS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO MERCEDES THIS IS AN IGNITION/TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10100723

Incident

Nov 19, 2004

Mileage

66,000 mi

CRANKSHAFT HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE! (1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430)... MILEAGE: 82000 REF: NHTSA ACTION # 03058..HE PULLEY FAILURE JUST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING DOWN I85 IN ATL. UPON HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE AND SMELLING WHAT SEEMED LIKE RUBBER BURNING, I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE ENGINE. IT TOOK NO TIME TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL, IT WAS THE V-BELT (NO LONGER CENTERED ON ALL PULLEYS) RUBBING AGAINST THE ENGINE. BEING REASONABLY MECHANIC SAVVY, I KNEW THIS WAS A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS THAN JUST A WATER PUMP OUTAGE AND PROCEEDED CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP (MB OF S.ATL) AT A COST OF $52.00& APROX DROP TIME: 8:00 PM. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO FURTHER EXPLAIN MY SITUATION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE V6 AND V8 ENGINES OF WHICH MINE IS THE LATTER (113942). HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE MULTITUDE OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND LAW SUITES, I WAS FLOORED WHEN THE QUOTE OF APPROXIMATELY $3500.00 WAS DROPPED IN MY LAP. THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO COMP THE PARTS.. APROX COST: $1300.. THE LABOR (14.85 HRS TOTALED $1510.00) I GET TO EAT! LAW SUITE TO FOLLOW IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER MY OUT OF POCKET COST! WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL ITEM!!!!!*AK

NHTSA ID

10093140

Incident

Sep 20, 2004

Mileage

82,663 mi

I'M AN OWNER OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 WHICH IN MY BELIEF HAS A DEFECTIVE PART NAMED A HARMONIC BALANCER OR A CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. THE REASON IM FILING MY COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE REP(CHRIS) OF TRI-STAR MERCEDES BENZ IN THE ST LOUIS MO,AREA THAT HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF A MALFUNCTION OR A DEFECTIVE PART CALLED THE HARMONIC BALANCER THE INQUIRY WAS MADE AS I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SAID ESTABLISHMENT AFTER HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A LOUD NOISE LIKE GRINDING IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THE ENGINE STARTED TO DIE OUT THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL JUST THINK IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR SHE COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO OTHERS AND HERSELF BUT GOD.... ON WEDNESDAY AUG 1,04 I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO TRI-STAR MERCEDES BENZ ON THE FOLLOWING DAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM SERVICE REP CHRIS AND I TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED, HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE HIS TECH'S LOOK AT IT HE CALLED BACK ON THE SAME DAY AND STATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS I ASKED HIM DOES THIS HAPPEN OFTEN TO THE ML HE STATED NO. I WAS THEN QUOTED A PRICE OF 1700 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE OIL PANS WERE DAMAGED AND 1450 IF IT WAS NOT. AFTER RECEIVING MY CAR BACK I AM HAVING PROBLEMS OF SHAKING IN MY STEERING WHEEL LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TIRES BUT THERE IS NOT. I BELIEVE ITS GOT SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COSTLY REPAIRS OF THE HARMONIC BALANCER. A COUPLE OF WEB SITES WERE FOUND WERE I DISCOVERED ACCORDING TO OTHER MB OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I THINK THAT MB IS TRYING TO COVER UP THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION ON THERE HANDS AND WHICH HAVE COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER SUCH AS MYSELF. THOSE THAT HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THERE MB SHOULD BE WARNED OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER AND MB SHOULD OWN UP TO THERE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THERE CARS AND SUV AND REFUND MONEY TO THOSE WHO HAVE HAD COSTLY REPAIRS DONE BECAUSE OF THIS SAID COSTLY DEFECT. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED CAUSING LIVES TO PERISH. *JB

NHTSA ID

10090485

Incident

Aug 1, 2004

Mileage

72,000 mi

DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC INFORM THE CONSUMER THAT THEIR FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE WARPED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10075650

Incident

May 10, 2004

Mileage

4,300 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH BRAKE SYSTEM SEIZED. CONSUMER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS MELTED. ALSO, ABS PUMP UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10073871

Incident

Apr 1, 2004

Mileage

51,000 mi

HARMONIC BALANCER/VIBRATION DAMPNER ON ML430 MERCEDES-BENZ DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10056431

Incident

Jan 25, 2004

MERCEDES BENZ 1999 ML 430. HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED. DRIVING 65+ ON THE MASS. PIKE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, AND THEN THE ENGINE BEGIN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE WRESTLED FROM THE LEFT LANE, ACROSS 3 VERY BUSY LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE STATE POLICE WERE CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD BROKEN APART AND CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION OF FAILURES ULTIMATELY LEADING TO THE ABOVE. * CB

NHTSA ID

10054362

Incident

Oct 13, 2003

Mileage

78,000 mi

I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 SUV. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY, IT LOST COMPLETE POWER AND POWER STEERING. THANK GOD I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND NOT MY WIFE, WITH INFANT CHILD. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSE BY MY LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP WITH A FAULTY HARMONIC BALANCER, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BELTS, OIL PAN, TIMING CHAIN COVER, ETC, I WAS ADVISED BY MY SERVICE REP THAT MERCEDES BENZ OF USA IS VERY AWARE OF THIS HAZARDOUS/DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY HARMONIC BALANCERS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY (MB USA) WILL NOT COVER ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR VEHICLES OUT OF WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE HAD 55,000 MILES AT THE TIME. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE THAT OUR COMPLAINTS WILL LIGHT A FIRE UNDER MB USA'S BEHIND. *CB

NHTSA ID

10054361

Incident

Jul 20, 2003

Mileage

55,000 mi

MERCEDES BENZ (MB) HAS A DEFECTIVE HARMONIC BALANCER WHICH THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE REPLACEMENT FOR WILLINGLY. THEIR OFFICIAL LINE IS THAT THEY "HAVE NO POLICY" WITH REGARD TO THIS. THE PART IN QUESTION IS ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER" I WAS TOLD BY 2 DIFFERENT SOURCES. MB WAS CONDESCENDING & RUDE WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS. THEIR DEALERSHIPS PROVIDE NO HELP. FAILURE OF THIS PART CAN BE DANGEROUS. I HAVE FILED REPORTS WITH MY STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL & THE BBB. A RECALL IS NECESSARY IMMEDIATELY!! P.S. (THE FUEL GAGE DOES NOT READ FULL EVER!) *LA

NHTSA ID

10047306

Incident

Nov 21, 2003

THE HARMONIC BALANCER ON ALL MERCEDES BENZ V6 AND V8 ENGINES BETWEEN 1995 AND 1999 IS DEFECTIVE. MB KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE $100 DEFECTIVE PART FAILS AROUND 50K MILES IT CAUSES $2K-3K IN DAMAGE. PLEASE SEE THE SITE MERCEDESSHOP.COM TO VIEW THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MBUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE M-B AREA MANAGER, RON ST.PIERRE, AND DREHER-HOLLOWAY SERVICE MANAGER, MIKE BELLAIGERON. ALL REFUSE TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE ITEMS. M-B RE-DESIGNED THE PART IN 2001 AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN IN DEC 2001 DIRECTING SERVICE TECHCNICANS TO REPLACE THE PART WITH A NEW STOCK NUMBER. THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS BUT WAIT FOR THE FAUILURES BECUSE THEY GET MORE REVENUE FROM REPAIRING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10047190

Incident

Oct 18, 2003

Mileage

54,000 mi