Owners have filed 196 complaints
about the 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2026.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 82
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz ML320. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
19.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 23
14% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Mercedes Benz ML320
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
74.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
116.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
148.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2817.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2917.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
3823.5%
150,000+ miles
3521.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2001peak 10Jun 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE10050Opened 21 Dec 2010Closed 4 May 2011EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Brake lamp switch failure.
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...
PE07007Opened 1 Feb 2007Closed 11 Jul 2007ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION
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 COMPLAI...
PE03006Opened 13 Feb 2003Closed 4 Apr 2003STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
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.T...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 120,000 milesHA, CACrash
WHEELS
MY CAT BRAKE WOULD STOP CAR ROLL OVER
NHTSA complaint #11300274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHA, CACrash
STEERING
MY CAT BRAKE WOULD STOP CAR ROLL OVER
NHTSA complaint #11300274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHA, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY CAT BRAKE WOULD STOP CAR ROLL OVER
NHTSA complaint #11300274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,741 milesWest Richland, WAFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
REFERENCE ODI 10457817 I HAVE SINCE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES CORP. STATING THE FUEL PUMP FIRE IS DUE TO AGE AND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I ASKED HOW A FIRE INSIDE A FUEL TANK CAN BE NORMAL FOR ANY REASON. THEY WOULD ONLY REPEAT THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I CANNOT GET RID OF THE VEHICLE RIGHT NOW FOR FINANCIAL REASONS . HOWEVER I DON'T HAVE TO LET MY FAMILY RIDE IN IT. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I HAVE THE LETTER FROM MB STATING THE ABOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10460273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,741 milesWest Richland, WAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY ML320 VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE HOURS ROUND TRIP THEN PARKED FOR THE EVENING. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER DOING AN EXHAUSTIVE DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE. I REMOVED THE FUEL PUMP FROM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. I SAW THAT THE WIRING HARNESS/CONNECTOR FOR THE HOT LEAD WAS BLACK AND BROWN IN COLOR AND THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HARNESS HAD MELTED. I TOOK PICTURES AND STORED THE PUMP. I EMAILED MERCEDES AND ASKED THEM TO GET BACK WITH ME SINCE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN HAD BEEN IN THE VEHICLE AND THIS IS THE FAMILY VEHICLE. I ALSO READ SEVERAL FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REFERENCE MERCEDES FUEL PUMPS INCLUDING MY SPECIFIC MODEL. I READ HOW THEY HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I ALSO SAW A PICTURE OF A FUEL PUMP OUT OF A ML 320 IN 2006 THAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND ALMOST LOOKED IDENTICAL TO MY FUEL PUMP I HAD REMOVED. I HAVE LOOKED FOR RECALLS AND STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM MERCEDES. I AM AT A LOSS ON WHAT TO DO OR IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO. I WAS TOLD THAT MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT HEY ARE UNLIKELY TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE COST. I WANT TO REPORT THIS IN CASE SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT WILL BE ON RECORD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10457817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFullerton, CAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COAST TO A STOP, WHEN HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ONCE MORE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO BE EXAMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10454580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Daly City, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The failed component is the YAW rate sensor, original part number A1635426340 (ATE part number 10.0980-0454.2), manufactured by ATE. I have experienced multiple incidents of sudden, unintended braking at highway speeds. These events occurred without warning and created an immediate and significant risk of a serious collision, endangering not only myself and my family but also other motorists sharing the roadway. While the defect has not been reproduced or confirmed by either a Mercedes-Benz dealer or an independent repair facility, the absence of a successful diagnosis does not diminish the seriousness of the safety hazard. In fact, your agency opened an investigation into this issue in 2007, yet no corrective action was ultimately taken despite reports indicating that more than 100,000 vehicles may have been affected. According to publicly available information, Mercedes-Benz inspected and evaluated the YAW rate sensor in May 2007 as part of its review of this issue. The continued occurrence of sudden, unintended braking events raises concerns that the underlying defect may not have been fully addressed. Most concerning is that there were no warning lamps, fault messages, or other observable symptoms prior to the braking events. The vehicle operated normally until the moment the unintended braking occurred, leaving the driver with no opportunity to anticipate or prevent a potentially catastrophic situation.
NHTSA complaint #11745171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spokane, WA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact stated that the front passenger’s door failed to open more than 6 inches. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11633252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesFranklinville, NJ
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated that when they entered their vehicle and turned it on, the vehicle's passenger front door air bag made a sudden boom sound and then deployed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
NHTSA complaint #11417737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vista, CA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG OFF, PEDAL CONTROL SISTEM IS IN RECALL FROM MARCH 31 2011, SMOKE PASS BELONG TO NISSAN MENDOZA AUTO GROUP SOLD THIS CAR IN CA CAR IN RECALL DON'T PASS SMOKE, THEY SAID YES...PASS, PLEASE INVESTIGATION
NHTSA complaint #11317979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vista, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
AIR BAG OFF, PEDAL CONTROL SISTEM IS IN RECALL FROM MARCH 31 2011, SMOKE PASS BELONG TO NISSAN MENDOZA AUTO GROUP SOLD THIS CAR IN CA CAR IN RECALL DON'T PASS SMOKE, THEY SAID YES...PASS, PLEASE INVESTIGATION
NHTSA complaint #11317979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vista, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
AIR BAG OFF, PEDAL CONTROL SISTEM IS IN RECALL FROM MARCH 31 2011, SMOKE PASS BELONG TO NISSAN MENDOZA AUTO GROUP SOLD THIS CAR IN CA CAR IN RECALL DON'T PASS SMOKE, THEY SAID YES...PASS, PLEASE INVESTIGATION
NHTSA complaint #11317979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesEvanston, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ECM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT CONTROLLING FUEL INJECTION AND GIVING RANDOM MISFIRE ON CYLINDERS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON . CODES 0300, 0302,0303,0304,0305,0306.
NHTSA complaint #11301012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesEvanston, IL
ENGINE
ECM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT CONTROLLING FUEL INJECTION AND GIVING RANDOM MISFIRE ON CYLINDERS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON . CODES 0300, 0302,0303,0304,0305,0306.
NHTSA complaint #11301012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesEvanston, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ECM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT CONTROLLING FUEL INJECTION AND GIVING RANDOM MISFIRE ON CYLINDERS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON . CODES 0300, 0302,0303,0304,0305,0306.
NHTSA complaint #11301012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHA, CACrash
WHEELS
MY CAT BRAKE WOULD STOP CAR ROLL OVER
NHTSA complaint #11300274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHA, CACrash
STEERING
MY CAT BRAKE WOULD STOP CAR ROLL OVER
NHTSA complaint #11300274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHA, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY CAT BRAKE WOULD STOP CAR ROLL OVER
NHTSA complaint #11300274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 213,000 milesRahwat, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM ON MERCEDES BENZ ML320 LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11297969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,000 milesHighlands Ranch, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN INDEPENDENTLY AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA complaint #11245008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 210,000 milesGaithersburg, MD
STEERING
STEERING FLUID LEEKS.THERE IS A HOLE IN THE TANK.THE STEERING IS VERY HARD.
NHTSA complaint #11235329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesRaleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE CAR BRAKES COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES, IT HAPPENED FEW TIMES, THE CAR HAS TO COME TO STOP, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION
NHTSA complaint #11209613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesRaleigh, NC
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE CAR BRAKES COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES, IT HAPPENED FEW TIMES, THE CAR HAS TO COME TO STOP, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION
NHTSA complaint #11209613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesFlorence, SC
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THIS IS THE 4TH OR 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST TIME (JAN 2017) HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON DC. LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. BUT BEFORE DOING SO I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. I SAT ON SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 15 MINUTES WITH CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED UP THE CAR, I WAS ABLE TO FINISH MY DRIVE HOME TO SOUTH CAROLINA BUT STAYED IN THE RIGHT LANE ALL THE WAY HOME. 2ND TIME WAS IN APRIL OF 2017 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO GEORGIA. PULLED OVER AND LET IT SET FOR AWHILE. FINISHED RIDE TO ATLANTA AIRPORT. WEEK LATER I DRIVE HOME FROM ATLANTA AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I BRING IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE CANT FIND ANYTHING DIAGNOSTICALLY. 3RD TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MYRTLE BEACH. I BROUGHT IT TO MECHANIC AND HE KEEPS IT FOR A WEEK. HERE IS THE DESCRIPTION OF MY LAST OCCURENCE; I AM DRIVING TO WORK ON ROUTE 327 AND THIS TIME IT IS THE WORSE OCCURENCE YET; DOING 45 MPH AND BRAKES LOCK UP LIKE AS IF I HAD SLAMMED THEM ON. CAR BEHIND ME SWERVES AROUND ME AND GIVES ME THE 'ONE FINGER' HELLO.....THANK GOD HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND NOT TEXTING. CAR IS NOW AT THE MECHANIC AND HE IS LOOKING AT REPLACING A $800 SENSOR. EVEN THEN I WILL NOT LET MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE WITH ME EVER AGAIN. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET REARENDED (KILLED) EVENTUALLY IF YOU DONT GET MERCEDES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, IT RELEASED FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS THEN LOCKED UP AGAIN FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS. THE ESP LIGHT (EXCLAMATION LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE LIGHTS UP AS WELL) I NEVER TOUCHED THE BRAKES!! THE SUV LEFT SKID MARKS ON THE STREET. I PROCEEDED ON AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I NEVER TOUCHED THE BRAKES! THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN IT HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #11187418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT AS ID THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE 'BAS ESP" (BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM) WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11081603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT AS ID THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE 'BAS ESP" (BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM) WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11081603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesPacific Grove, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP RELEASE AND LOCK UP AGAIN.THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11042721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesPacific Grove, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP RELEASE AND LOCK UP AGAIN.THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11042721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 210 milesLake, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND HEAT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL RELATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210.
NHTSA complaint #11005328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesSAN Ramon, CA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10930296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesHouston, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, MY 2001 MERC BENZ ML320 CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND DRAMATICALLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STAND STILL. THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED AS I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH. FINALLY, THE LAST TWO TIMES OCCURRED WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH. IN ALL INSTANCES, THE FRONT BRAKES ABSOLUTELY LOCKED AND MY VEHICLE CAME TO AN APPROXIMATELY COMPLETE STOP WHILE PULLING THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT. EACH EVENT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EPISODE. ALTHOUGH I KEPT TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ALLOW IT. I HAD JUST ENOUGH MOMENTUM SO THAT I COULD VEER TO THE SAFETY OF THE SAFETY LANE. THE EVENTS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A TWO (2) WEEK PERIOD...FAR, FAR TOO FREQUENT FOR COMFORT. IN ALL OCCASIONS, I WAS FORTUNATE TO NOT GET RAMMED BY THE VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND ME. NOW THAT I HAVE DONE A LITTLE RESEARCH I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT MERCEDES SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT TAKEN THIS ISSUE MORE SERIOUSLY AS IT SEEMS TO NOT HAVE BEEN AN ISOLATED ISSUE BUT RATHER ONE THAT HAS BEEN CONSISTENT AMONG FELLOW ML 320 VEHICLE OWNERS. LASTLY, I'VE ONLY OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR A TWO WEEK PERIOD, AND IT HAS TERRIFIED ME IN THIS SHORT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10896133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.