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FaultScore report

2003 Mercedes Benz ML320 problems

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz ML320 with NHTSA between 2003 and 2018. The largest single group is the steering. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz ML320 All 2003 cars
C

FaultScore 49/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz ML320.

How this is worked out

The numbers

31

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

4

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

70,750 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

36%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 13 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 62 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz ML320. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 62
36% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Mercedes Benz ML320

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Mercedes Benz ML320

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Steering 7 22.6%

Median failure at 70,750 miles

Seats 6 19.4%

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 17,500 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 12.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 143,500 mi

Brakes 4 12.9%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 160,000 mi

Stability & Traction Control 2 6.5%

Median failure at 173,500 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 6.5%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Electrical System 2 6.5%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 6.5%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

Suspension 1 3.2%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

Airbags 1 3.2%

Median failure at 20,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 5 22.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 13.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 13.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 9.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 18.2%
150,000+ miles 5 22.7%

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.

Mar 2003 peak 3 Jan 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 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.

PE05005 Opened 2 Feb 2005 Closed 29 Jun 2005 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

ELECTRIC SEAT WARMER OVERHEATS/BURNS

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON THREE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF ELECTRIC SEAT WARMER OVERHEATING IN MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML-320 VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGED THAT SUCH FAILURES MAY INFLICT BURN INJURIES TO SEAT OCCUPANTS.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE IDENTICAL SEAT WARMER DESIGN WAS INSTALLED IN 65.5 PERCENT OF ALL M-CLASS VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING MY 2000-2005.THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED FROM BREAKAGE OF THE ELECTRICAL BUS WIRE OF THE HEATER GRID IN THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE SEAT BOLSTER.THE FAILURES WERE CAUSED BY REPEATED HIGH STRESS APPLIED DURING OCCUPANT INGRESS AND EGRESS.A SIMILAR F...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 30,000 miles Miami, FL Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE SPEED. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS A BURNING ODOR OF BRAKES EMITTED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #10450251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

THE HEATED SEAT IN MY 2003 MERCEDES ML320 BURNED THROUGH MY LEATHER SEATS AND LEAVING A SMALL MARK ON MY LEFT THIGH. MY INJURY HEALED; HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL A BURNT MARK ON MY SEAT. AFTER EXPLAINING IT TO MERCEDES AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE, BOTH DECIDED TO HELP ME STATING IT WAS A COSMETIC DEFECT. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A DRIVER SIDE SEAT THAT HAS 3 CM HOLE IN IT ALONG WITH HEATED SEATS THAT MERCEDES SUGGEST THAT I SHOULD NEVER TURN ON, EVEN THOUGH I PAID EXTRA FOR IT.

NHTSA complaint #10144571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,600 miles Chesterfield, MO Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE EVENT OCURRED SO QUICKLY AND WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT UPHOLSTERY AND A VERY HEAVY PAIR OF DENIM JEANS I WAS WEARING ALMOST IMEDIATELY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE PRETTY MUCH OBVIOUS AND COULD RANGE FROM SEVERE BURNS, TO THE VEHICLE BURNING TO CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE SPONTANEOUS HAPPENING. NO RESPONSE FROM MERCEDES BENZ TO DATE.

NHTSA complaint #10102096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Denver, CO Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH A NEWER MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10094747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deerfield, IL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10079386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deerfield, IL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10079386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 79,500 miles Pittsburgh, PA

STEERING

LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID, IT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE HOSE CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONERY. THIS ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED, I BELIEVE TWICE. DEALER REQUESTED $125 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. MB USA INFORMED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION, THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED OCTOBER 2008 UNDER RECALL, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I SHOULD FIX ON MY OWN COST.

NHTSA complaint #11060855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 187,000 miles Jonesboro, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT STARTED TO FLASH AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES. MY WIFE QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WHERE ENGAGING. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK. WE LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING BUT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. I HAVE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ONE OF THE SHOPS, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION WAS FLASHING. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS CAUSED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T KNOW IF WHEN IT DOES THIS. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY USUALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE AS BEEN SITTING OFF FOR A SEVERAL HOURS.

NHTSA complaint #10936005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 187,000 miles Jonesboro, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT STARTED TO FLASH AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES. MY WIFE QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WHERE ENGAGING. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK. WE LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING BUT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. I HAVE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ONE OF THE SHOPS, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION WAS FLASHING. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS CAUSED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T KNOW IF WHEN IT DOES THIS. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY USUALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE AS BEEN SITTING OFF FOR A SEVERAL HOURS.

NHTSA complaint #10936005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 187,000 miles Jonesboro, GA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT STARTED TO FLASH AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES. MY WIFE QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WHERE ENGAGING. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK. WE LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING BUT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. I HAVE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ONE OF THE SHOPS, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION WAS FLASHING. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS CAUSED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T KNOW IF WHEN IT DOES THIS. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY USUALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE AS BEEN SITTING OFF FOR A SEVERAL HOURS.

NHTSA complaint #10936005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palmdale, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE RPMS REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10874688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

BAS LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE GAS PEDAL DIDN'T WORK SO I PULLED OVER. I FEEL LIKE ITS A DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND PUTTING OTHER DRIVER IN DANGER SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 ML320 BUT MY CAR IS 2003 AND ITS DOING THE SAME ISSUES THAT THE 2000-2002 ML320

NHTSA complaint #10838717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

BAS LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE GAS PEDAL DIDN'T WORK SO I PULLED OVER. I FEEL LIKE ITS A DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND PUTTING OTHER DRIVER IN DANGER SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 ML320 BUT MY CAR IS 2003 AND ITS DOING THE SAME ISSUES THAT THE 2000-2002 ML320

NHTSA complaint #10838717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Missouri City, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING, WENT OVER BUMP IN ROAD, AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED. PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL WEAKEND. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I PULLED OVER AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED AND PULL OVER INTO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM HOOK IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL CODES, THAT ALL STATED "THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONER MALFUNCTION" I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED THIS ITEM 4 TIMES SINCE THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, BUT I'M ALWAYS VERY AFRAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET, AND I ALONG WITH MY KIDS ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIME A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10594921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Missouri City, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, WENT OVER BUMP IN ROAD, AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED. PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL WEAKEND. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I PULLED OVER AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED AND PULL OVER INTO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM HOOK IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL CODES, THAT ALL STATED "THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONER MALFUNCTION" I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED THIS ITEM 4 TIMES SINCE THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, BUT I'M ALWAYS VERY AFRAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET, AND I ALONG WITH MY KIDS ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIME A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10594921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Missouri City, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, WENT OVER BUMP IN ROAD, AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED. PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL WEAKEND. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I PULLED OVER AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED AND PULL OVER INTO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM HOOK IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL CODES, THAT ALL STATED "THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONER MALFUNCTION" I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED THIS ITEM 4 TIMES SINCE THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, BUT I'M ALWAYS VERY AFRAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET, AND I ALONG WITH MY KIDS ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIME A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10594921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Miami, FL Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE SPEED. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS A BURNING ODOR OF BRAKES EMITTED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #10450251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Torrance, CA

POWER TRAIN

2003 ML 320 ROLLS BACK IN DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10351178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Torrance, CA

SUSPENSION:REAR

2003 ML 320 ROLLS BACK IN DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10351178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Roselle, IL

STEERING

I HAD TAKEN MY MERCEDES ML320 IN FOR RECALL WORK #2003040005 AT MOTOR WORKS IN HOFFMAN ESTATES IL. FOR POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX. $6,000.00 FOR THIS SERVICE WHICH SHOULD BE FREE. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES AND MOTOR WORKS WITH NO RESPONSE THE CLAMPS THAT CONNECT THE POWER STEERING HOSES COME OFF QUITE OFTEN RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, I GUESS I SHOULDN'T EXPECT MUCH FOR A $40,000.00 CAR!!

NHTSA complaint #10258537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Newport Beach, CA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES ML 320 THAT HAS POWER STEERING FLUID PROBLEMS. THIS IS DUE TO A RECALL ISSUED BY MB FOR FAULTY HOSING, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. I HAD LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY WHILE DRIVING WHICH LEAD ME TO STEER OFF THE ROAD DURING RAINY CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10217327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,723 miles Gardena, CA

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

CAR MAKES A "WASHING MACHINE" TYPE NOSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MERCEDES DEALER EVALUATED AND FOUND THE STEERING GEAR BOX/RACK & PINION IS "WORN" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PART THEY DID ADD A LUBRICANT TO POWER STEERING FLUID TO "ELIMINATE" THE NOISE (WHICH IS STILL THERE PRESENTLY). WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO REPLACE RACK & PINION BECAUSE THEY STATE PART IS STILL FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. HOWEVER, IF PART COMPLETELY FAILS AND THE STEERING GOES OUT, I COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #10215656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,723 miles Gardena, CA

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

CAR MAKES A "WASHING MACHINE" TYPE NOSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MERCEDES DEALER EVALUATED AND FOUND THE STEERING GEAR BOX/RACK & PINION IS "WORN" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PART THEY DID ADD A LUBRICANT TO POWER STEERING FLUID TO "ELIMINATE" THE NOISE (WHICH IS STILL THERE PRESENTLY). WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO REPLACE RACK & PINION BECAUSE THEY STATE PART IS STILL FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. HOWEVER, IF PART COMPLETELY FAILS AND THE STEERING GOES OUT, I COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #10215656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Kingston, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT EXITED AN OFFRAMP AT 10 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND LATER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND ONE OF THE O-RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10211473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burbank, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 DEFECTS WITH TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER UNIT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTS AND THINKS THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON.

NHTSA complaint #10210503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burbank, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 DEFECTS WITH TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER UNIT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTS AND THINKS THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON.

NHTSA complaint #10210503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

THE HEATED SEAT IN MY 2003 MERCEDES ML320 BURNED THROUGH MY LEATHER SEATS AND LEAVING A SMALL MARK ON MY LEFT THIGH. MY INJURY HEALED; HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL A BURNT MARK ON MY SEAT. AFTER EXPLAINING IT TO MERCEDES AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE, BOTH DECIDED TO HELP ME STATING IT WAS A COSMETIC DEFECT. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A DRIVER SIDE SEAT THAT HAS 3 CM HOLE IN IT ALONG WITH HEATED SEATS THAT MERCEDES SUGGEST THAT I SHOULD NEVER TURN ON, EVEN THOUGH I PAID EXTRA FOR IT.

NHTSA complaint #10144571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Ozone Park, NY

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES ML320, WHILE I WAS DRIVING W/THE HEATED SEATS ON I STARTED TO NOTICE A BURNING ODOR. THE ODOR GOT STRONGER & IT SMELT LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. I NOTICED MY REAR WAS STARTING TO GET A TAD TOO WARM SO I PUT MY HAND DOWN ON THE SEAT & ALMOST BURN MY HAND. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER & CALLED MERCEDES THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO ARRANGE FOR SERVICE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MERCEDES THE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT & THAT A GENTLEMENS SUIT HAD BEEN REPLACED B/C IT BURNT THROUGH HIS CLOTHING. I ASKED WHY MERCEDES HAD NOT PUT OUT A RECALL & HE INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS CHEAPER TO JUST REPLACE THE ONE'S WITH PROBLEMS. MY SEATS WHERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE & THE OLD ONE'S DISCARDED BY MERCEDES.

NHTSA complaint #10129270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,600 miles Chesterfield, MO Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE EVENT OCURRED SO QUICKLY AND WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT UPHOLSTERY AND A VERY HEAVY PAIR OF DENIM JEANS I WAS WEARING ALMOST IMEDIATELY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE PRETTY MUCH OBVIOUS AND COULD RANGE FROM SEVERE BURNS, TO THE VEHICLE BURNING TO CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE SPONTANEOUS HAPPENING. NO RESPONSE FROM MERCEDES BENZ TO DATE.

NHTSA complaint #10102096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Denver, CO Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH A NEWER MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10094747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Greenwich, CT

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN THAT LIGHT WERE ON THE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK. THE SENSOR WASA REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10089697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.