2000 Mercedes-Benz ML430 Problems

MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL AND WAS SERVICED ON FEB 9TH 2015 FOR BRAKE SWITCH DEALING WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND POWER STEERING LOW PRESSURE HOSE ON 3/11/2017 THE SAME PROBELMS OCCURED AND IT IS A MANUFACTOR ISSUE AND NOT GETTING JUSTICE FOR GETTING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR SAME ISSUE VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING CAR IT WAS FIXED BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF WAPPINGERS FALLS ON FEB 9TH 2015 BUT SAME ISSUE RETURNED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE ESP FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

Problem is with the BAS/ABS. The problem was confirmed by two (2) separate drivers of the vehicle in question. The problem occurred on 4 or 5 separate occasions, all within the last 120 days. The BAS/ABS light on the dashboard indicated random conditions (off when first starting the engine, then on after approximately 1 to 2 minutes). Regardless of the BAS/ABS light status the vehicle appeared to be operating normally. Then suddenly without warning the brakes jammed on pulling hard to the right, then to the left. The problem occurs randomly at various speeds. Speeds as lows 3 to 5 MPH. Other times at highway speeds often in heavy traffic. On each occasion, cars following behind, and on each side had to take evasive action to prevent a collision. The vehicle has yet to be inspected by the dealer or independent service center. I'm afraid to drive the car and don't want to pay for towing.

I have 2000 ML 430. When I drive my car once a while brakes will engage without the warning, no matter how fast or slow I go. It is a very scarry situation.. The shop I went to replaced the ABS module and the problem went away for about 6 months. After that I have experienced one more hard braking but again everything went to "normal". I do take good care of mine old ML 430 and the car is in in excellent condition,, so lack of proper maintenance is not an issue here. No matter what it is, I drive my car with both hands on the steering wheel since. I have posted a thread about this in Facebook and other Mercedes Benz Forums and asked how many others have experienced this brakes locking issue, and it is not a good outlook. There are so many instances where people have had near collisions and rear-endings. Some people have been in collisions because of this. The problem exists in older and newer cars as well. Too many instances for my liking. I'm not sure there are some instances that caused death we don't even know about. This is alarming issue. I thought I was the only one having this problem but apparently a lot of MB owners are dealing with that. Why Mercedes Benz does not have a recall? Why they are ignoring this? I do not feel safe driving the car and do not let any members of my family use the car anymore. Since this happened to me on several occasions I am the only one who kind of "knows" how to handle the car when it happens. Scarry and outrages. I hope you can investigate the issue and help us resolving this dangerous situation. Thank you.

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON EXPRESSWAY, CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED ON ONLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BRAKING WAS A SEVERE PUMPING THAT LASTED ABOUT 2 SECONDS. WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ME AS THE CAR BUCKED AND I MOVED TO THE SIDE OF TH ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. NOTING NOTHING RELATED TO THE LEFT RONT WHEEL, I EXITED THE EXIT RAMP AND PROCEEDED DOWN A SIDE STREET AT AB OUT 35 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BRAKED AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE ESP ELECTRONIC STABILITY FUNCTION AND PROCEEDED SLOWLY DOWN THE ROAD. NOTING NO FURTHER INCIDENT, I EVENTUALLY GOT BACK ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND PROCEEDED HOME WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, EST, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PITTSBURGH (4709 BAUM BLVD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO CODES WERE POPULATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. UPDATED 11/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER PROVIDED CODES C114214 AND C114209 UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS

SRS LIGHT ON

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

The contact owned a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML430. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph the ABS light had illuminated and smoke was present coming from the steering column. Moments later flames were present coming from under the hood and the subframe of the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and the local fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not available.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (BOBBY RAHAL MOTORCAR COMPANY, 10701 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090, (724) 935-9300) WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE WITH THE DTC PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER'S MECHANIC(S). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE A TECHNICIAN AND A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED PROBLEMS WITH VAN CONTROL, ABS LIGHT ON, BALL JOINT LIGHT ON, TRANSMISSION, BAS MALFUNCTION, ETS MALFUNCTION, AND TRANSMISSION IN LOW RANGE. *TR

The contact owned a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML430. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph the ABS light had illuminated and smoke was present coming from the steering column. Moments later flames were present coming from under the hood and the subframe of the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and the local fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not available.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE IN THE EXHAUST AREA OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON INSPECTION A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THERE IS A RECALL MANUFACTURER RECALL # 2005060014 ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MANUFACTURER RECALL; HOWEVER THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER.

ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING MERCEDES BENZ ML430, AT EITHER SLOW SPEED OR 50+ MPH, BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY STOP THE CAR AND SKID THE TIRES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY 5 CARS AT ONE TIME BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. TODAY, 8/15/16, WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS A VERY SCARY SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY IN YOUR BACK SEAT. THE CHANCES OF GETTING REAR ENDED OR HIT BY TRAFFIC IS A HUGE CONCERN. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS?!?! I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME EXACT THING. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER 1,000$ TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED, WHEN, IF IT KEEPS HAPPENING TO OTHERS, WHY SHOULD IT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY?!?! RECALL THIS ALREADY!! BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SEVERLY INJURED, OR, GOD FORBID, A DEATH OCCURS!! COME ON, GET YA'LLS ACTS TOGETHER. THE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS ENOUGH!!!

I OWN A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 430, ON 07/12/10, 07/15/10, 07/23/10, 07/25/10, 07/28/10 AND 07/29/10 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHCILE WOULD BRAKE-SKID-BRAKE-SKID THIS LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE; THEN THE BAS/ESP AND EST LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON MY DASHBOARD, THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN BE DRIVEABLE WHILE THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, ONCE THESE LIGHTS WENT OFF THE VEHICLE WOULD START BRAKING & SKIDDING AGAIN. I REPORTED THIS TO NHTSA ON 07/30/10 UNDER CASE #10346283. ON OR ABOUT 08/20/10, MERCEDES BENZ OF USA TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MALFUNCTION & ASKED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 08/24/2010. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI APPROXIMATELY 4 OR 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND HAS COME CLOSE TO CAUSING MANY ACCIDENTS. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 01/28/11 AND WASNT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNTIL 02/23/11 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE KEPT MALFUNCTIONING EVEN WHEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART THEY SAID NEEDED REPLACING. THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL CAUSE GREAT BOLDILY HARM AND/OR DEATH AT ONE POINT. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED WITH A PART THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE, WHILE BEING OPERATED, TO SUDDENLY,WITHOUT ANY WARNING, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHENEVER THAT PART MALFUNCTIONS. I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WERE ALSO ALMOST INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ONE RESULTED IN ANOTHER DRIVER HAVING TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING MY VEHICLE AND THAT DRIVER ENDED UP IN A DITCH. ON THE LASTEST VISIT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MIAMI ONE OF THEIR OWN MECHANIC'S EXPERIENCED THIS MALFUNCTION AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

NO IDEA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DOORS DID NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. MOST STATES DO NOT WANT TO REPAIR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE DUE TO THE AIR BAGS IN THE DOORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $300-$500 TO REMOVE THE DOORS AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE DRIVER SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND THEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS BEGAN TO RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STARTED TO SMELL GAS. *NLM ALL FOUR OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPIED SEAT BELTS BECAME TIGHT AND THE SIRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ALONG WITH BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE SIRS CONTROL MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *CB *NLM

DRIVER'S SIDE BOLT TO CHASSIS OF CAR FELL OUT. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER COULD NOT FASTEN SEATBELT. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, EST, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PITTSBURGH (4709 BAUM BLVD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO CODES WERE POPULATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. UPDATED 11/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER PROVIDED CODES C114214 AND C114209 UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS

DRIVER'S SIDE BOLT TO CHASSIS OF CAR FELL OUT. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER COULD NOT FASTEN SEATBELT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE DRIVER SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND THEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS BEGAN TO RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STARTED TO SMELL GAS. *NLM ALL FOUR OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPIED SEAT BELTS BECAME TIGHT AND THE SIRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ALONG WITH BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE SIRS CONTROL MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *CB *NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

IN JULY 2001 TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS TIME TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AGAIN, DEALER DETERMINED THAT PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

SHORT CIRCUIT IN WIRING FOR SEAT BACK REST HEATER ELEMENT. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, EST, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PITTSBURGH (4709 BAUM BLVD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO CODES WERE POPULATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. UPDATED 11/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER PROVIDED CODES C114214 AND C114209 UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS

CONSUMER HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT.*AK