28 of the 194 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz ML430 are about the steering — 14% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2000.
28
Complaints
14%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10965771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10664283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
IN APPROXIMATELY AUGUST 2010, I HAD AN ESP LIGHT ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (3 HOURS AWAY) AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DROVE APPROX 20 MINS WHEN I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK IN BECAUSE THEY FORGOT TO ALIGN THE WHEELS. STARTED OFF ON MY DRIVE BACK HOME, STOPPED FOR GAS AND ON THE WAY OUT THE DRIVEWAY (10 MPH), I HEARD A GRINDING/SQUEAKING NOISE. GOT MY CAR HOME AND FOUND THAT IT WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID FROM A CLAMP. I KEPT PS FLUID IN THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APPROX. NOVEMBER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE A NEW PS PUMP AND RACK/PINIONS RESEALED, THE COST OF APPROX $1800.00, OF WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR, JUST KEEPING PS FLUID IN IT, BUT IT LEAKS OUT. I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE HAD THE RECALL CLAMP REPLACE TWICE, ONCE IN 2003 AND THEN IN 2007.
NHTSA complaint #10466514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
CAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POWER STEERING FLUID HOSES FELL OFF AND POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND REATTACH THE HOSES THE BEST I COULD. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP RECALL AND MB PERFORMED THE REPLACEMENT. THIS YEAR, THE CLAMPS CAME OFF AGAIN AND THE RACK ITSELF WAS DAMAGED AND PROFUSELY LEAKS FLUID NOW. THE NEW HOSE CLAMPS HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE STEERING SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.
NHTSA complaint #10459627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, RESULTING IN POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10446000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 HAS A SEVERE POWER STEERING LEAKAGE. TWO RECALLS BY THE NHTSA HAVE BEEN ISSUED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY LEAKAGE IS DUE TO SEVERE LEAKAGE AT THE POWER STEERING RACK SEALS AND RESERVOIR. I WANT TO NOTIFY THE NHTSA THAT THERE ARE MECHANICAL FAILURES RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING LEAKAGE THAT MAY BE IN ADDITION TO THE SPECIFIC RECALL ISSUES AND THE DEALERSHIP/MB DECLINES TO ADDRESS WITHOUT COMPENSATION. MY VEHICLE HAS 88,900 MILES I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND MUST CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS CONSTANTLY. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10310059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING RECALL RELATED TO THE HOSE AND THE CLAMP ON THE RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS ACCORDING TO RECALL#03V121000, STEERING, HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #10303918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TOOK THE 2000 ML430 IN FOR RECALL IN 11/08. CAR STARTED MAKING SAME NOISE AS BEFORE. TOOK IT BACK FOR THEM TO RE-FIX IT AGAIN. THEY REFUSED. WANTED ME TO PAY 285. SAID EVEN THOUGH CAR ACTED THE SAME AND WAS STILL LEAKING FLUID, IT WASN'T A RECALL REPAIR. I DISAGREE. I DON'T HAVE 285!!! I PUT MORE POWER STEERING FLUID IN AND LEFT. IT'S STILL DOING THE SAME THING.
NHTSA complaint #10265698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V121000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT STILL EXPERIENCED FAILURES. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE AS IF THERE WERE NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A SECOND RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000), WHICH STATED THAT AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED MAY BE INSUFFICIENT IN PREVENTING 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 CONTACT HAD THE REPAIRS PERFORMED IN 2004 AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EXTENSION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10262792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO I FIGURED OUT THAT THE CLAMP HAD COME OFF SO I RETIGHTENED IT AND FILLED IT UP AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS EMPTY. 2 MONTHS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN I NOTICED THE CLAMP DID NOT TIGHTEN SO I REPLACED THE CLAMP THEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. AT THE SACRAMENTO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER GAYTON DEROSA (930382) HAD HELPED US ON 2/17/09 INVOICE NUMBER IS MCCS281762 WE HAD INFORMED HIM THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS EMPTIED TWICE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CLAMP AND WE REFILLED THE TANK WITH MERCEDES POWER STEERING FLUID ALONG WITH A COMPATIBLE POWER STEERING STOP LEAK FLUID HOPING IT WOULD SOLVE THE LEAKAGE WE ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FLUID WAS UP TO LEVEL WHEN WE LEFT OUR HOME. THEY DID THE REQUIRED SAFETY RECALL#2003-040005 AFTER THE SAFETY RECALL WAS PERFORMED I SAT DOWN A SECOND TIME AND HE TOLD ME THAT SOMEONE HAS PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE POWERSTEERING RESERVOIR AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED WHICH COSTS $129 ALSO HE SAID THAT THE SEAL TO THE RESERVOIR IS LEAKING AND THAT IT WOULD COST $185 FOR THE RESERVOIR TANK AND SEAL. WE INFORMED HIM THAT ANY FAULTY PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE POWERSTEERING SYSTEM SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AT NO COST THAT IF THE RESERVOIR TANK WAS EMITTED TWICE AND RUNNING WITH NO POWERSTEERING FLUID BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CLAMP THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL. HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT SEALS LEAK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HAPPENS SPORADICALLY WHEN I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK I NOTICED THAT THE RESERVOIR TANK WAS OVERSERVICED TO THE BRIM. I AM A QUALIFIED FAA RATED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AND A RETIRED 22 YEAR MILITARY AIR FORCE AVIATION MAINTENANCE MECHANIC. THERE IS NO WAY THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN MY POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TANK. THAT ONE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES HAD FILLED IT WITH THE WRONG TYPE OF FLUID AFTER REPLACING CLAMP AND HOSE I AM DISSATISFIED OF THE SERVICE RENDERED BY MERCEDES BENZ OF SACRAMENTO UNDER THIS RECALL PROGRAM.
NHTSA complaint #10259430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. SHE WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 25 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILED COMPONENT FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME LIABILITY FOR THE DAMAGES REFERENCED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10258589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. HE WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ISSUE AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME AS STATED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER APOLOGIZED, BUT OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10258251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID OVER TIME. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD COST $1,050 TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000.
NHTSA complaint #10253972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING BEGAN WORKING AGAIN HOWEVER, HE STILL FELT RESISTANCE WHEN TURNING. IN ADDITION, THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND WAS ADVISED TO WAIT FOR THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR AND STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAS INVOICES TO SUPPORT HIS COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
NHTSA complaint #10251317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, AND NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST,HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10251172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
ON JULY 14 03 I WAS DRIVING ON THE SAN MATEO BRIDGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I COMPLETELY LOST MY ABILITY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS GETTING READY TO TURN OFF THE LOOP TO TRANSFER TO THE I0I AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, LUCKILY WITH ALL MY STRENGTH I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT AND NOT GO OVER THE RAMP. I CALLED MERCEDES FOSTER CITY AND THEY ACCOMMODATED ME AND INFORMED OF A POWER STEERING CLAMP DEFECT THAT CAN AFFECT THE POWER STEERING PUMP (TOO LATE FOR ME)..THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ON MARCH 19 I EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING LOST OF ABILITY TO STEER LUCKILY I WAS ONLY ON THE STREETS AND RESIDENTIAL AREA. I HAD MY HUSBAND STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING AND BRING IT TO THE PLESANTON MBUSA. THEY CHARGE ME 11134.74 TO REPAIR AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOW DOES A POWER STEERING FAIL SO OFTEN AND SO SOON?
NHTSA complaint #10153647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 HOSE CLAMP CAME OFF AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE PUMP RESULTING IN THE STEERING BECOMING STIFF.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL THE POWER STEERING RACK ALSO LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE RACK FAILED AS A RESULT OF THE CLAMP FAILURE AND BELIEVES IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10124687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
MERCEDES BENZ 1999 ML 430. HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED. DRIVING 65+ ON THE MASS. PIKE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, AND THEN THE ENGINE BEGIN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE WRESTLED FROM THE LEFT LANE, ACROSS 3 VERY BUSY LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE STATE POLICE WERE CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD BROKEN APART AND CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION OF FAILURES ULTIMATELY LEADING TO THE ABOVE. * CB
NHTSA complaint #10054362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THE HARMONIC BALANCER ON THE CRANKSHAFT OF MY MERCEDES ML430 VIN# 4JGAB72E7XA09375 FAILED W/O WARNING CAUSING THE FAN BELT TO FAIL AND THE BALANCER STARTED CUTTING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. THIS FAILURE JUST BY "LUCK" DID NOT CAUSE A MOVING ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL AND POWER STEERING, OR AN UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. THIS COST ME $500 TO GET FIXED WHEN A $70 PART COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED IF I HAD ONLY BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS FREQUENT FAILURE ON MERCEDES MODELS LIKE MINE. THE DEALER WAS LITTLE HELP IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10045578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
CONSUMER CALLED COPMPLAINING ABOUT HIS VEHICLE. THE STEERING FLUID CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK, AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND HAS NOT YET CALLED THE CONSUMER TO LET HIM KNOW WAHT WAS WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10027181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.