Model year record
2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 recalls & problems
The 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 166 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is steering (49 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320.
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.
Fuel economy
ML320
| City / highway | 15 / 18 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SteeringHydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections; Hydraulic power assist system | 49 | 68,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor | 30 | 61,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicBrake fluid low warning › Lamp; Foundation components | 21 | 121,006 mi |
| Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch | 20 | 58,563 mi |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 15 | 121,006 mi |
| Service brakes | 15 | 145,500 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal; Side/window | 14 | 65,266 mi |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Delivery | 13 | 50,276 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 12 | 60,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 109,000 mi |
| StructureBody › Door; Body | 8 | 42,769 mi |
| VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior | 8 | 25,000 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Service brakes
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…
- Service brakes
Hard braking suddenly activated without driver input, smoke coming from front wheels. YAW SENSOR malfunction indicated by OBD scanner (checked after incident)
- Electrical system
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.
- Vehicle speed control
STEERING IS HARD TO TURN. OVER HEATS AND WILL NOT KEEP COOLINAT DOWN
- Fuel/propulsion system
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.
- Air bags
SRS. ETS. ABA LIGHTS ON. BUZZING. *TR
- Electronic stability control (esc)1 injury
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 .…
- Engine
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.
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…
- 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…
- 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…
- POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGEClosedLed to recall 03V121000
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT…