U.S. public vehicle records

1999 Mercedes Benz ML430 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

44 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

78,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 31 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 44 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	13	29.5%
Transmission and shifting	5	11.4%
Engine operation	4	9.1%
Braking behavior	4	9.1%
Electrical and battery issues	2	4.5%
Fuel system concerns	2	4.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor

Steering

Electrical System

Electrical System:Ignition

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	5
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	5
Engine And Engine Cooling	4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	3
Steering	3
Electrical System	2
Electrical System:Ignition	2

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 3; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2013

2000: 1; 2001: 3; 2002: 5; 2003: 12; 2004: 8; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2013: 2

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10009190 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)

THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING AT THE CLAMP, AND WAS REPLACED. *SCC

Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009190 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10024922 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)

PARTS FOR THE STEERING RECALL IS NOT AVAILABLE AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT. # 203-04-005. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024922 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10031122 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)

I OWN AN ML 430 MERCEDES BENZ 1999. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH ONLY 116,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED MBUSA AND THEY REFUSED TO OFFER "GOODWILL" IN ASSISTING WITH REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS OVER $5,000.00. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE ML430 SUPPOSEDLY HAS A PERMANENT FILL OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SO REGULAR CHECKS AND CHANGES ARE NOT REQUIRED AND FOR THIS REASON THE DIPSTICK HAS BEEN OMITTED. HOW CAN THE CONSUMER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IF WE CANNOT PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THE PART? (CONSUMER ALSO REPORTS A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE A…

Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031122 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10042515 · 2003-10-08 (October 8, 2003)

LTR INQUIRING ON THE STATUS OF A COMPLAINT FILED IN AUGUST 2003 (#10031122) RE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IN HIS MERCEDES BENZ ML 430 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE.*MR THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED (NO DIPSTICK) SO THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL. THE VEHICLES CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042515 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10039353 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)

HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE; EARLY DETECTION PREVENTED SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND POWER BRAKES ASSIST.

Owner-reported narrative. 71,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039353 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10046528 · 2003-11-07 (November 7, 2003)

THE VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 52,231 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046528 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10045578 · 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)

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.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 83,353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045578 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10090485 · 2004-09-05 (September 5, 2004)

I'M AN OWNER OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 WHICH IN MY BELIEF HAS A DEFECTIVE PART NAMED A HARMONIC BALANCER OR A CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. THE REASON IM FILING MY COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE REP(CHRIS) OF TRI-STAR MERCEDES BENZ IN THE ST LOUIS MO,AREA THAT HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF A MALFUNCTION OR A DEFECTIVE PART CALLED THE HARMONIC BALANCER THE INQUIRY WAS MADE AS I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SAID ESTABLISHMENT AFTER HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A LOUD NOISE LIKE GRINDING IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090485 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10286165 · 2009-10-03 (October 3, 2009)

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY FUEL TANK SENSOR IS BROKEN AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES DEALERS SELL THE FUEL TANK SENSOR WITH THE FUEL TANK AS ONE UNIT. THEREFORE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS ENORMOUS. IN ADDITION AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND THAT COMPLAINTS FOR THE ML MODELS AND THE FUEL TANK IS NUMEROUS AND WORTH NOTICING. THIS DEFECT HAS OCCURRED IN THE MAJORITY OF MERCEDES ML MODELS AND THE DEALER ACTUALLY HAS A HUGE INVENTORY OF FUEL TANKS IN ORDER TO PROFIT FROM…

Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286165 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 876452 · 2000-12-13 (December 13, 2000)

MODEL YEAR 2000, GAS STATION NOZZLE KEPT GETTING STUCK IN GAS TANK DUE TO NARROW OPENING WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO SPRAY ONTO CONSUMER, BURNING FACE/ SCALP/ HAIR/ EYES ,AND EYE LIDS. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE COMPLIED TO 2003 EPA STANDARDS. *AK *SLC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876452 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

44 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

70.5%Usable mileage31 / 44 records

88.6%Valid incident date39 / 44 records

100.0%Valid filing date44 / 44 records

88.6%Ordered incident and filing dates39 / 44 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1990	1999	2000	2001
Service Brakes	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	510.6% ODI 10896050 · 137,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE O-SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. Look up ODI 10896050 at NHTSA ↗	1125.0% ODI 10461089 · 120,000 mi WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE A 45 MPH AT 5PM IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY STARTED ENGAGING BRAKES IN A JERKING MOTION, REPEATEDLY, SUBSEQUENTLY COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM TIRE AREA. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY 16 YEAR OLD. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME IN MERCEDES BENZ'S. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *JS Look up ODI 10461089 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	1100.0% ODI 10258251 · 30,000 mi 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, BU… Look up ODI 10258251 at NHTSA ↗	36.8% ODI 10024922 PARTS FOR THE STEERING RECALL IS NOT AVAILABLE AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT. # 203-04-005. *AK Look up ODI 10024922 at NHTSA ↗	817.0% ODI 10251172 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 FAILUR… Look up ODI 10251172 at NHTSA ↗	36.8% ODI 10258589 · 80,000 mi 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 (STEERIN… Look up ODI 10258589 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.3% ODI 10433941 · 71,000 mi THE BRAKELINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID AND THE ABILITY TO STOP THE CAR. *TR Look up ODI 10433941 at NHTSA ↗	48.5% ODI 10175534 · 95,000 mi NO MATTER WHAT REPAIR IS DONE TO FRONT & REAR BRAKES THEY WILL NOT STOP SQUEAKING. *JB Look up ODI 10175534 at NHTSA ↗	818.2% ODI 10048442 · 11,000 mi VEHICLE'S BRAKES MAKES AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. THIS OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED IN COLD TEMPERATURE WHILE IN REVERSE. THIS HAS RESULTED IN BRAKE FAILURE. AS A RESULT CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT ON THE SIDE WALK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NLM Look up ODI 10048442 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	24.5% ODI 10218412 · 200,000 mi MY VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START AGAIN AFTER IF HAS BEEN RUNNING AND SHUT OFF. FOR EXAMPLE IT FREQUENTLY HAPPENS AT THE GAS STATION. I CAN'T GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER I FILL UP FOR SOMETIMES 45 MINUTES. *TR Look up ODI 10218412 at NHTSA ↗	48.5% ODI 10019738 · 44,934 mi WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE DRIVER SUDDENLY HEARD A POP AND THEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS BEGAN TO RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STARTED TO SMELL GAS. NLM ALL FOUR OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPIED SEAT BELTS BECAME TIGHT AND THE SIRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ALONG WITH BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE SIRS CONTROL MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED. CB *NLM Look up ODI 10019738 at NHTSA ↗	613.6% ODI 10395832 · 82,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALL ACTIVITY MODULE II, WHICH OPERATES ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE, FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V061000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING) WHICH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. Look up ODI 10395832 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	612.8% ODI 10346283 · 116,885 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IMMEDIATELY, THE "BRAKE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM ELECTRONIC STABILITY" AND "ELECTRONIC SYSTEM PROGRAM" WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPAR… Look up ODI 10346283 at NHTSA ↗	613.6% ODI 10246476 I HAVE HAD 5 INCIDENCES, WHILE DRIVING, OF UNCOMMANDED BRAKE APPLICATION OF MY MERCEDES 1002 ML430. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, UP TO 40 OR 60+ MPH, MY SUV CAME TO A SUDDEN AND ABRUPT HALT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOCK UP AND STOP. IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE MERCEDES TO CONTINUE DRIVING I HAD TO SHUT OF THE VEHICLE AND RE-START IT, SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE INCIDENCES HAVE BEEN SCARY AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. THE CAR WAS TOWED TODAY, OCTOBER 23RD, FOR A SECOND REPLACEMENT OF BAD PARTS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM… Look up ODI 10246476 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.3% ODI 747840 THROTTLE LOCKS- CANNOT BE PUSHED DOWN BY A 250 LB DRIVER. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EVEN PULL OUT OF A FILLING STATION. IT PROBABLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN JAN 2001 WHICH I TRIED TO CROSS A ROAD AND WAS HIT AND THE HONDA THAT HIT US WAS TOTALLED.*AK Look up ODI 747840 at NHTSA ↗	714.9% ODI 10177447 · 48,000 mi PASSING ON THE INTERSTATE MY THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE IN 2 WEEKS FOR ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED. *NM Look up ODI 10177447 at NHTSA ↗	36.8% ODI 10332201 · 86,000 mi SAFETY CONCERN - YESTERDAY WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH LOCKED ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. INSTEAD, UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING BACK TO 65MPH AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RAN INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AT WHICH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON. AGAIN, THE CRUISE FAILED TO DISENGAGE SINCE I COULD FEEL THE CAR DRAGGING WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED DOWN. … Look up ODI 10332201 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	511.4% ODI 10031122 · 116,000 mi I OWN AN ML 430 MERCEDES BENZ 1999. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH ONLY 116,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED MBUSA AND THEY REFUSED TO OFFER "GOODWILL" IN ASSISTING WITH REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS OVER $5,000.00. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE ML430 SUPPOSEDLY HAS A PERMANENT FILL OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SO REGULAR CHECKS AND CHANGES ARE NOT REQUIRED AND FOR THIS REASON THE DIPSTICK HAS BEEN OMITTED. HOW CAN THE CONSUMER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IF WE CANNOT PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THE PART? (CONSUMER ALSO REPORTS A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE A… Look up ODI 10031122 at NHTSA ↗	12.1% ODI 8007608 IN JULY 2001 TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS TIME TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AGAIN, DEALER DETERMINED THAT PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK Look up ODI 8007608 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	510.6% ODI 10009765 THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM Look up ODI 10009765 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	75,000 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10024527 · 80,000 mi THE HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED TO STAY ON THE CRANKSHAFT AND HIT OTHER ENGINE COMPONETS AND CONSEQUENTLY CUT THE FAN BELT, CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVER HEAT, AND PUT A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. AK TS JB Look up ODI 10024527 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10054362 · 78,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10054362 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10090485 · 72,000 mi I'M AN OWNER OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 WHICH IN MY BELIEF HAS A DEFECTIVE PART NAMED A HARMONIC BALANCER OR A CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. THE REASON IM FILING MY COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE REP(CHRIS) OF TRI-STAR MERCEDES BENZ IN THE ST LOUIS MO,AREA THAT HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF A MALFUNCTION OR A DEFECTIVE PART CALLED THE HARMONIC BALANCER THE INQUIRY WAS MADE AS I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SAID ESTABLISHMENT AFTER HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A LOUD NOISE LIKE GRINDING IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON TH… Look up ODI 10090485 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	Too few reports for a range	77,182 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10039353 · 71,700 mi HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE; EARLY DETECTION PREVENTED SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND POWER BRAKES ASSIST. Look up ODI 10039353 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043844 · 90,000 mi HARMONIC BALANCER HAD DETERIORATED AND WAS REPLACED IN ORDER TO PREVENT SUDEN FAILURE AND/OR MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE; PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INCREASINGLY 'COMMON' AMONG ML OWNERS!*AK Look up ODI 10043844 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10047190 · 54,000 mi THE HARMONIC BALANCER ON ALL MERCEDES BENZ V6 AND V8 ENGINES BETWEEN 1995 AND 1999 IS DEFECTIVE. MB KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE $100 DEFECTIVE PART FAILS AROUND 50K MILES IT CAUSES $2K-3K IN DAMAGE. PLEASE SEE THE SITE MERCEDESSHOP.COM TO VIEW THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MBUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE M-B AREA MANAGER, RON ST.PIERRE, AND DREHER-HOLLOWAY SERVICE MANAGER, MIKE BELLAIGERON. ALL REFUSE TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE ITEMS. M-B RE-DESIGNED THE PART IN 2001 AND ISSUED A TECHN… Look up ODI 10047190 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	100,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10031122 · 116,000 mi I OWN AN ML 430 MERCEDES BENZ 1999. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH ONLY 116,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED MBUSA AND THEY REFUSED TO OFFER "GOODWILL" IN ASSISTING WITH REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS OVER $5,000.00. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE ML430 SUPPOSEDLY HAS A PERMANENT FILL OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SO REGULAR CHECKS AND CHANGES ARE NOT REQUIRED AND FOR THIS REASON THE DIPSTICK HAS BEEN OMITTED. HOW CAN THE CONSUMER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IF WE CANNOT PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THE PART? (CONSUMER ALSO REPORTS A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE A… Look up ODI 10031122 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10100723 · 66,000 mi LN LATE AUGUST, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZML430. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALER TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND TESTS, MERCEDES BENZ DECIDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. OWNER INCURRED COST OF LABOR. IN NOVEMBER, DRIVER WAS PARKING CAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. KEY RELEASED IN ERROR CAUSING CAR TO ROLL INTO A RAVINE AND HIT A TREE. MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OF THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. IN FACT, THEY STATE T… Look up ODI 10100723 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10192473 · 100,000 mi COMPLAINT WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE SUDDEN ONSET OF 1999 ML 430 MERCEDES BENZ SUV FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SPECIFIC TO THE HARMONIC PULLEY WHICH WAS REPLACED. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE TO WORK ON 6/1/07 THE CAR SUDDEN BEGAN TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (NO PRIOR WARNING OR SYMPTOMS WERE PRESENT.) *TR Look up ODI 10192473 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	68,500 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10043368 · 72,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY ML430 ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT AND MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I MANAGED TO "STRONG ARM" THE CAR, (HOPPED A CURB MID-TURN) AND PULL OVER INTO A LOCAL GROCERY STORE. WHAT MY DEALER HAD DIAGNOSED WAS THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ASSEMBLY CAME APART. I'M AFRAID THAT IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAY HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE. SINCE THE PULLEY CAME APART AT SUCH FORCE IT ALSO MANAGED TO RIP A HOLE INTO MY OIL PAN. ALL IN A… Look up ODI 10043368 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10045578 · 83,353 mi 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.AK Look up ODI 10045578 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10046528 · 52,231 mi THE VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. AK Look up ODI 10046528 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	Too few reports for a range	114,850 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10345951 · 131,700 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL POP. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SOUNDED SIMILAR TO A LOUD MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TWO FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. Look up ODI 10345951 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10357002 · 98,000 mi TL* THE OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 430. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTING MAKING A NOISE AND LEAKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC NOTICE THE WELDING WAS CRACKING. THE MECHANIC PULLED UP A RECALL AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR AND THE DEALER STATED DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER, THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED TO THE CONTACT THAT HE CALL MANUFA… Look up ODI 10357002 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	Too few reports for a range	139,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10251317 · 186,000 mi TLTHE 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 … Look up ODI 10251317 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10253972 · 93,000 mi TLTHE 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. Look up ODI 10253972 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	132,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10218412 · 200,000 mi MY VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START AGAIN AFTER IF HAS BEEN RUNNING AND SHUT OFF. FOR EXAMPLE IT FREQUENTLY HAPPENS AT THE GAS STATION. I CAN'T GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER I FILL UP FOR SOMETIMES 45 MINUTES. *TR Look up ODI 10218412 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10557938 · 65,000 mi DECEMBER 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY BENZ QUIT ON ME IN THE ROAD WOULD NOT START BACK (MY HOME IS WITHIN 2 MILES OF MY WORK) THE DAY BEFORE IT HAD QUIT AS I WAS MAKING A TURN BUT RESTARTED A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR I HAD THE CAR WARMING AND IT SHUT OFF WHILE WARMING UP BUT RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL LIT OR STAYING LIT. AFTER SOME INTERNET INVESTIGATING I ASSUME IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AS IT HAD ALL THE SIGNS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD I PURCHASED ONE FOR THE REPAIR SHOP TO INSTALL. THEY HAVE I… Look up ODI 10557938 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition	Too few reports for a range	40,750 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10000129 · 15,500 mi WHILE DRVING IN THE LEFT LANE OF A HIGHWAY WITH MY BABY ON BOARD, MY ML430 SHUTOFF. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE WHILE I WAS DRVING AROUND TOWN AND THE SERVICE DEALER DECLARED THE PROBLEM FIXED EACH TIME I REPORTED IT. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN THIS TIME AROUND THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SAID IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND OWNERS OF THESE CARS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A COLLISION WHILE TRAVELLING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I HAVE NOTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ WH… Look up ODI 10000129 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10100723 · 66,000 mi LN LATE AUGUST, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZML430. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALER TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND TESTS, MERCEDES BENZ DECIDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. OWNER INCURRED COST OF LABOR. IN NOVEMBER, DRIVER WAS PARKING CAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. KEY RELEASED IN ERROR CAUSING CAR TO ROLL INTO A RAVINE AND HIT A TREE. MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OF THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. IN FACT, THEY STATE T… Look up ODI 10100723 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2000: 6 complaints · 2001: 4 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2000	2	3	6
2001	1	1	4

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2000	46	1	0
2001	39	3	2

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	Steering	Electrical System	Electrical System:Ignition
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10100723 · 66,000 mi LN LATE AUGUST, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZML430. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALER TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND TESTS, MERCEDES BENZ DECIDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. OWNER INCURRED COST OF LABOR. IN NOVEMBER, DRIVER WAS PARKING CAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. KEY RELEASED IN ERROR CAUSING CAR TO ROLL INTO A RAVINE AND HIT A TREE. MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OF THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. IN FACT, THEY STATE T… Look up ODI 10100723 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10557938 · 65,000 mi DECEMBER 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY BENZ QUIT ON ME IN THE ROAD WOULD NOT START BACK (MY HOME IS WITHIN 2 MILES OF MY WORK) THE DAY BEFORE IT HAD QUIT AS I WAS MAKING A TURN BUT RESTARTED A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR I HAD THE CAR WARMING AND IT SHUT OFF WHILE WARMING UP BUT RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL LIT OR STAYING LIT. AFTER SOME INTERNET INVESTIGATING I ASSUME IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AS IT HAD ALL THE SIGNS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD I PURCHASED ONE FOR THE REPAIR SHOP TO INSTALL. THEY HAVE I… Look up ODI 10557938 at NHTSA ↗	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Steering	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	1 ODI 10557938 · 65,000 mi DECEMBER 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY BENZ QUIT ON ME IN THE ROAD WOULD NOT START BACK (MY HOME IS WITHIN 2 MILES OF MY WORK) THE DAY BEFORE IT HAD QUIT AS I WAS MAKING A TURN BUT RESTARTED A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR I HAD THE CAR WARMING AND IT SHUT OFF WHILE WARMING UP BUT RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL LIT OR STAYING LIT. AFTER SOME INTERNET INVESTIGATING I ASSUME IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AS IT HAD ALL THE SIGNS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD I PURCHASED ONE FOR THE REPAIR SHOP TO INSTALL. THEY HAVE I… Look up ODI 10557938 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Electrical System:Ignition	0	0	1 ODI 10100723 · 66,000 mi LN LATE AUGUST, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZML430. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALER TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND TESTS, MERCEDES BENZ DECIDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. OWNER INCURRED COST OF LABOR. IN NOVEMBER, DRIVER WAS PARKING CAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. KEY RELEASED IN ERROR CAUSING CAR TO ROLL INTO A RAVINE AND HIT A TREE. MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OF THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. IN FACT, THEY STATE T… Look up ODI 10100723 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

9 mentions · 20.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 72,000 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10009190 · 63,000 mi

THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING AT THE CLAMP, AND WAS REPLACED. *SCC

Look up ODI 10009190 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10039353 · 71,700 mi

HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE; EARLY DETECTION PREVENTED SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND POWER BRAKES ASSIST.

Look up ODI 10039353 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10043368 · 72,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY ML430 ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT AND MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I MANAGED TO "STRONG ARM" THE CAR, (HOPPED A CURB MID-TURN) AND PULL OVER INTO A LOCAL GROCERY STORE. WHAT MY DEALER HAD DIAGNOSED WAS THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ASSEMBLY CAME APART. I'M AFRAID THAT IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAY HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE. SINCE THE PULLEY CAME APART AT SUCH FORCE IT ALSO MANAGED TO RIP A HOLE INTO MY OIL PAN. ALL IN A…

Look up ODI 10043368 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 9.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 82,350 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10039353 · 71,700 mi

HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE; EARLY DETECTION PREVENTED SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND POWER BRAKES ASSIST.

Look up ODI 10039353 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10046528 · 52,231 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

Look up ODI 10046528 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10192473 · 100,000 mi

COMPLAINT WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE SUDDEN ONSET OF 1999 ML 430 MERCEDES BENZ SUV FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SPECIFIC TO THE HARMONIC PULLEY WHICH WAS REPLACED. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE TO WORK ON 6/1/07 THE CAR SUDDEN BEGAN TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (NO PRIOR WARNING OR SYMPTOMS WERE PRESENT.) *TR

Look up ODI 10192473 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 132,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10218412 · 200,000 mi

MY VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START AGAIN AFTER IF HAS BEEN RUNNING AND SHUT OFF. FOR EXAMPLE IT FREQUENTLY HAPPENS AT THE GAS STATION. I CAN'T GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER I FILL UP FOR SOMETIMES 45 MINUTES. *TR

Look up ODI 10218412 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10557938 · 65,000 mi

DECEMBER 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY BENZ QUIT ON ME IN THE ROAD WOULD NOT START BACK (MY HOME IS WITHIN 2 MILES OF MY WORK) THE DAY BEFORE IT HAD QUIT AS I WAS MAKING A TURN BUT RESTARTED A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR I HAD THE CAR WARMING AND IT SHUT OFF WHILE WARMING UP BUT RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL LIT OR STAYING LIT. AFTER SOME INTERNET INVESTIGATING I ASSUME IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AS IT HAD ALL THE SIGNS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD I PURCHASED ONE FOR THE REPAIR SHOP TO INSTALL. THEY HAVE I…

Look up ODI 10557938 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 86,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10100723 · 66,000 mi

LN LATE AUGUST, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF A 1999 MERCEDES BENZML430. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALER TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND TESTS, MERCEDES BENZ DECIDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. OWNER INCURRED COST OF LABOR. IN NOVEMBER, DRIVER WAS PARKING CAR AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. KEY RELEASED IN ERROR CAUSING CAR TO ROLL INTO A RAVINE AND HIT A TREE. MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OF THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. IN FACT, THEY STATE T…

Look up ODI 10100723 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10286165 · 106,000 mi

Look up ODI 10286165 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 8022118

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE CONSUMER CAN STRONGLY SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

Look up ODI 8022118 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 750914

I HAD JUST FILLED VEHICLE AND BOAT BEING TOWED WITH GAS AND WAS CROSSING 4-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY TO ENTER HIGHWAY. UPON COMPLETION OF TURN ONTO HIGHWAY I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GAIN NORMAL SPEED AND NOT IMPEED THE NOW APPROACHING STREAM OF TRAFFIC. AS I DEPRESSED THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD REV SLIGHTLY BUT WITHOUT ANY INCREASE IN SPEED. THE TRAFFIC IS NOW QUICKLY GAINING ON ME WITH THE BOAT AND TRAILER AND I AM AFFRAID THAT AN ACCIDENT MIGHT OCCUR IF THE CAR DOES NOT BEGIN TO GAIN MORE SPEED. AS I CONTINUE TO ADD MORE AND MORE GAS, THE CAR SUDDEN…

Look up ODI 750914 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule