Model year record

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class recalls & problems

The 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has 5 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (8 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints25filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlMar 31, 2011

Cruise control

Recall 11V208000136,751 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH THE OTHER MEANS OF DEACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIVE. SPECIFICALLY, WHERE THE DRIVER PUMPS THE BRAKES RATHER THAN APPLYING CONSISTENT PEDAL FORCE, THE LEVEL OF FORCE REQUIRED MAY BE UNUSUALLY HIGH.
Risk: DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

SteeringSep 17, 2008

Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

Recall 08V465000125,228 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 125,228 MY 1998-2004 M-CLASS VEHICLES. THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.
Risk: THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003, WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

SteeringMar 27, 2003

Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

Recall 03V121000211,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.
Risk: THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2003. 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.

Seat beltsOct 30, 2000

Seat belts

Recall 00V35200016,246 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR IN THE REAR FOLDING MIDDLE SEATING POSITION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH OUT-OF-TOLERANCE HARDWARE.
Risk: IF THIS IS THE CASE, THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE.

Seat beltsJul 26, 2000

Front › Warning light/devices

Recall 00V2030004,354 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT BUZZER WARNING SOUNDS FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION IS TURNED TO THE ON OR START POSITION AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS FASTENED. THIS BUZZER ACTIVATION EXCEEDS THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN THE STANDARD.
Risk: DRIVERS MAY BECOME CONFUSED REGARDING THE PURPOSE OF THE CHIME.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SYSTEM.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections	8	0	50,074 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	6	0	76,667 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	6	0	116,885 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Ignition › Module	2	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	1	0	—
Fuel system, other	1	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	1	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	1	1	—
Service brakes, electric	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AS OFF THE FROM RIGHT BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED ON ITS OWN. TURNED THE ESP (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) OFF AND PROCEEDED AND THE EVENT HAPPENED AGAIN, CAR JERKED TO LEFT AND HEADED TO DITCH BUT WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME WITH STEERING WHEEL. IT APPEARS A CAR SYSTEM FAILED CRASH RATHER THAN FAIL SAFE. *TR
May 24, 2012 · 67,600 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL IN ACTIVATION. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE. SUDDENLY THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK, WHICH BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT RESUMED IN OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL). THE RECALL PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REMEDY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…
Jun 15, 2011 · 138,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 ML320 MERCEDES, THE CAR SUDDENLY APPLIES BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION AND SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE MERCEDES ADDRESS THIS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED! IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT WILL AMAZE YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS HORRIFYING ORDEAL. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Jan 21, 2011 · 160,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 430 AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS BEING DISPLAYED IT ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD NOT BEEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE THEN SKIDDED, STOPPED, SKIDDED AGAIN AND STOPPED. THIS WENT ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 45-60 SECONDS THEN THE BAS ESP MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN THREE ACCIDENTS WHICH ALL COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STOPS COMPLETELY, IT DOES NOT SLOW DOWN THEN STOP, IT STOPS. I WAS ADVISED TO CHANGE THE TIRES AND HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED. I DID BUT THE…
Jul 12, 2010 · 116,885 miles
Service brakes, electric
THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CAN TAKE OVER THROTTLE AND BRAKING. VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY BRAKES TO VARIOUS WHEELS. IT WILL PITCH THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT AND REQUIRE DRIVER TO COUNTER STEER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THERE IS NO WARNING ON WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT OR CAUSE VEHICLE TO SPIN. MERCEDES DEALER SERVICE MANAGER ADVISE ME IT IS A FAULTY SENSOR AND IT IS REPLACE AT OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $600. I COMPLAINT THAT IT IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. SERVICE ADVISOR SIMPLY REPLIED " YES IT IS, YOU SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. " *TR
Nov 19, 2009 · 120,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
2000 ML-CLASS MERCEDES ML55 LEAKING BRAKE LINE DUE TO CHAFFING AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR INVESTIGATION OF 52,000 ML-CLASS MERCEDES SUV'S. THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS PUMP SUFFERS EVENTUAL FAILURE DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST A POORLY POSITIONED FUEL LINE. SUFFERED NEAR TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM THIS MORNING DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALL PARTS REMOVED, AND A FAILURE ASSESSMENT PROVIDED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. THE WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED AT A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER, THEREBY ENSURING OBJECTIVITY OF THE DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Nov 3, 2009 · 87,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WHEN COMING TO A TRAFFIC STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2000 MERCEDES ML55 WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AFTER REAPPLYING THE BRAKE AND PUSHING VERY HARD. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW, PUT SOME FLUID IN AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO WORK. THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT. THE NEXT DAY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MERCEDES DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THAT A BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBED THROUGH AND LEAKING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR WARNINGS OF ANY KIND OCCURRED BEFORE THE PROBLEM.
Feb 8, 2009 · 66,335 miles
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING). AFTER THE REPAIR, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK, HE WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK, BUT THEY NEVER DID. ON MARCH 26, 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE…
Mar 26, 2009 · 80,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Brake lamp switch failure.ClosedLed to recall 11V208000
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…
PE10050 · opened Dec 21, 2010 · closed May 4, 2011
BRAKE LINE CHAFEClosed
ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND MERCEDES AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA SUBMITTED BY MERCEDES INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AT A LOW RATE (36.5 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND 0.29 PERCENT WARRANTY CLAIM RATE), WITH NO DISCERNABLE DEFECT TREND INDICATING THAT THE RATE OF CHAFING RELATED BRAKE LINE FAILURES IS INCREASING.THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW COMPLAINTS SINCE JANUARY 2009.WHEN THE ANALYSIS IS LIMITED TO INCIDENTS OF BRAKE LINE LEAKAGE THAT RESULTED IN ALLEGATIONS OF REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, THE RATE DROPS EVEN FURTHER (22.3 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND 0.04 PERCENT WARRANTY CLAIM RATE). MERCEDES PROVIDED DATA SHOWING THAT IN THE RARE INSTANCES WHEN CHAFING DID PROGRESS TO BRAKE LINE LEAKAGE THE DRIVER WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ALERTED TO A PROBLEM BY ILLUMINATION OF THE BRIGHT YELLOW ESP/BAS WARNING LAMP AND CHANGES IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL.CONTINUED OPERATION WITH A…
EA08009 · opened Apr 28, 2008 · closed Dec 16, 2009
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKClosedLed to recall 08V465000
MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) WILL NOTIFY CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2003 M-CLASS OWNERS OF THE NEED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY CAMPAIGNED UNDER MBUSA RECALL 2003-040005 (NHTSA RECALL 03V-121).THE MBUSA CAMPAIGN, WHICH ODI IS DESIGNATING RECALL 08V-465, WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE AND CLAMP IN ALL VEHICLES THAT RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL RECALL REMEDY FOR 03V-121 AND WHICH HAVEN'T RECEIVED A SUBSEQUENT REPAIR TO INSTALL A REVISED HOSE AND CLAMP.APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE VEHICLES THAT RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL REPAIR PROCEDURE AND PARTS RETURNED FOR SUBSEQUENT SERVICE FOR LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE FITTING AND, IN APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THESE VEHICLES, COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE HOSE FROM THE COOLER.A REVISED SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR 03V-121, WHICH INVOLVED REPLACING THE OLD HOSE AND CLAMP WITH MODIFIED PARTS, HAD SIGNIFICANTLY…
RQ08002 · opened Mar 11, 2008 · closed Sep 17, 2008
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONClosed
ODI OPENED PE07-007 AFTER RECEIVING 4 COMPLAINTS WITHIN A 6 WEEK PERIOD ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF UNCOMMANDED BRAKE APPLICATION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2001 MERCEDES M CLASS SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS OR GATHERED IN SUBSEQUENT CONSUMER INTERVIEWS INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY FAULTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) SYSTEM WHICH WERE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE YAW RATE SENSORS.ALTHOUGH THE SAME YAW RATE SENSOR IS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 800,000 OTHER MERCEDES M-CLASS, C-CLASS AND SLK MODELS, TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE RELATED COMPLAINT TO ODI IN THOSE VEHICLES. DURING THIS INVESTIGATION MERCEDES BENZ PROVIDED ODI WITH 327 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE ESP SYSTEM IN THE MY 2000 THROUGH 2001 M CLASS VEHICLES.SEVEN OF THE COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED BY MERCEDES ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNCOMMANDED BRAKE ACTIVATION WHILE DRIVING, WITH TWO OF…
PE07007 · opened Feb 1, 2007 · closed Jul 11, 2007
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILUREClosed
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE…
PE03058 · opened Dec 17, 2003 · closed Apr 22, 2004