U.S. public vehicle records

2001 Mercedes Benz ML430 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

44 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

104,125 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 32 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 44 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	28	63.6%
Steering behavior	5	11.4%
Electrical and battery issues	3	6.8%
Transmission and shifting	1	2.3%

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.

Service Brakes

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Electrical System

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Steering

Vehicle Speed Control

Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control

Power Train

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Service Brakes	11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	8
Electrical System	6
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	6
Steering	3
Vehicle Speed Control	3
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control	3
Power Train	2

Service Brakes: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8; Electrical System: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 6; Steering: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 3; Power Train: 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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 12 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.

2001

2003

2004

2006

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2015

2016

2017

2025

2001: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2006: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10048442 · 2003-11-21 (November 21, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048442 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10071737 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 60 MPH. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DEACTIVATE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL. DRIVER BELIEVED THAT BRAKE SWITCH INTERACTED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071737 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004760 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)

VEHICLE LOST STEERING RESULTING IN FLUID SPRAYING OVER ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004760 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10153647 · 2006-03-24 (March 24, 2006)

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 EXPERI…

Owner-reported narrative. 85,840 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153647 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10395832 · 2011-04-14 (April 14, 2011)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395832 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10500482 · 2013-02-26 (February 26, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND MADE A LOUD SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWITCH BRAKE LIGHT AND THE AIR MASS SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE YAW RATE ELECTRICAL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAI…

Owner-reported narrative. 103,249 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500482 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10259430 · 2009-02-20 (February 20, 2009)

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 CLA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10259430 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.

72.7%Usable mileage32 / 44 records

93.2%Valid incident date41 / 44 records

100.0%Valid filing date44 / 44 records

93.2%Ordered incident and filing dates41 / 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
Service Brakes	120,000–170,000 mi	131,200 mi	9	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 ↗ ODI 10509722 · 99,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING FROM 50 TO 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKES WOULD SPORADICALLY ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE AS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED BASED ON THE FAILURE CODES PROVIDED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE LATER RECURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR O… Look up ODI 10509722 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10521433 · 175,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKING SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS WORKING NORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. THE… Look up ODI 10521433 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	66,950–101,548 mi	80,500 mi	8	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 ↗ ODI 10174434 · 72,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED A YAW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10174434 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10232164 · 90,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES AND THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAS… Look up ODI 10232164 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	109,000–150,000 mi	117,000 mi	5	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 ↗ ODI 10549512 · 117,000 mi THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE ALL ACTIVITY MODULE ON 2001 M CLASS VEHICLES. THERE IS AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF DATA THAT OWNERS FROM THE RELEASE OF THE MERCEDES BENZ ML430 HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE ACTIVE RECALL. WHEN I CALL MERCEDES, THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT IMPACTED. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ISSUES AND HISTORY ON 2001 M CLASS ALL ACTIVITY MODULES, I FEEL THIS RECALL SHOULD EXTEND TO ALL 2001 M CLASS CARS. Look up ODI 10549512 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	139,050 mi	4 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11022910 · 170,000 mi TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING AND GOING OVER MINOR BUMPS (DOTS ON THE ROAD TO WARN OF CROSSWALKS AND A DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE CURB) THE BAS/ESP AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE COME ON AND THE CAR HAS AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED VIOLENT BREAKING THAT TOOK CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS HEADING. THIS BREAKING CONTINUED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS GOING LESS THAN 20 MPH, BUT CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LIMITED DURING THE EVENT. AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT WOULD BE VERY LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BAS/ESP LIGHT TURNS OFF AFTER THE CAR IS TU… Look up ODI 11022910 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	Too few reports for a range	109,000 mi	2 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10466514 · 138,000 mi 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 T… Look up ODI 10466514 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	153,100 mi	3 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control	Too few reports for a range	51,300 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10071737 · 51,000 mi CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 60 MPH. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DEACTIVATE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL. DRIVER BELIEVED THAT BRAKE SWITCH INTERACTED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. AK Look up ODI 10071737 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10072270 · 51,300 mi CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT PRESSING THE ON THE ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE SURGED BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER DISENGAGED MANUALLY THE CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. AK Look up ODI 10072270 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10303573 · 127,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ML430 MERCEDES WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2000. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH AND UTILIZING THE CRUISE CONTROL SHE TAPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT REMAINED ENGAGED. SHE CONTINUED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, TO NO AVAIL. SHE WAS FORCED THE SHIFT GEARS INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL SHE COASTED AND STOPPED. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A COMPONENT FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PEDAL AND DISENGAGE T… Look up ODI 10303573 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	126,088 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10466514 · 138,000 mi 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 T… Look up ODI 10466514 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10471302 · 114,176 mi I WAS DRIVING HOME CAME TO A CURVE IN THE ROAD ABOUT 15 MPH THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AS IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING ENGAGED, I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF TURNED IT BACK ON THE ESP-BAS LIGHT CAME ON. EVER SINCE THEN THE CAR IS UNPREDICTABLE IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY BUT WHEN IT WANTS TO. *TR Look up ODI 10471302 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	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	1	None	ODI 11637080 Was driving 50 miles per hour when the car slammed on the brakes, nearly getting me rear ended. The throttle would not respond until the car was doing maybe5 miles per hour - on an interstate! The BAS/ESP light was on solid. I got onto an off ramp, called the dealer, was told it could be several causes, drove home carefully, and took it to the dealer. The dealer found nothing. Several times since, the car was being driven at speeds in the 20-30 miles per hour range, and the system would slam on the brakes and pull hard to the left. I could … Look up ODI 11637080 at NHTSA ↗
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	0	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	Service Brakes	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Electrical System	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Steering	Vehicle Speed Control	Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control	Power Train
Service Brakes	—	0	2 ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11637080 Was driving 50 miles per hour when the car slammed on the brakes, nearly getting me rear ended. The throttle would not respond until the car was doing maybe5 miles per hour - on an interstate! The BAS/ESP light was on solid. I got onto an off ramp, called the dealer, was told it could be several causes, drove home carefully, and took it to the dealer. The dealer found nothing. Several times since, the car was being driven at speeds in the 20-30 miles per hour range, and the system would slam on the brakes and pull hard to the left. I could … Look up ODI 11637080 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10991966 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN. NEARLY GOT ME INTO AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER LUCKILY. I HAD MY TODDLER IN THE CAR AND IT WAS A VERY SCARY THING. WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED ENGAGING BY ITSELF, A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH FOLLOWED BY THE BAS/ESP LIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE SEEN OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS VERY SAME ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE THE YAW RATE SENSOR. I AM SHOCKED THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLE… Look up ODI 10991966 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11022910 · 170,000 mi TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING AND GOING OVER MINOR BUMPS (DOTS ON THE ROAD TO WARN OF CROSSWALKS AND A DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE CURB) THE BAS/ESP AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE COME ON AND THE CAR HAS AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED VIOLENT BREAKING THAT TOOK CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS HEADING. THIS BREAKING CONTINUED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS GOING LESS THAN 20 MPH, BUT CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LIMITED DURING THE EVENT. AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT WOULD BE VERY LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BAS/ESP LIGHT TURNS OFF AFTER THE CAR IS TU… Look up ODI 11022910 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	—	0	1 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 ↗	0	1 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 ↗	0	0
Electrical System	2 ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11637080 Was driving 50 miles per hour when the car slammed on the brakes, nearly getting me rear ended. The throttle would not respond until the car was doing maybe5 miles per hour - on an interstate! The BAS/ESP light was on solid. I got onto an off ramp, called the dealer, was told it could be several causes, drove home carefully, and took it to the dealer. The dealer found nothing. Several times since, the car was being driven at speeds in the 20-30 miles per hour range, and the system would slam on the brakes and pull hard to the left. I could … Look up ODI 11637080 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	4 ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10991966 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN. NEARLY GOT ME INTO AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER LUCKILY. I HAD MY TODDLER IN THE CAR AND IT WAS A VERY SCARY THING. WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED ENGAGING BY ITSELF, A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH FOLLOWED BY THE BAS/ESP LIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE SEEN OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS VERY SAME ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE THE YAW RATE SENSOR. I AM SHOCKED THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLE… Look up ODI 10991966 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11022910 · 170,000 mi TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING AND GOING OVER MINOR BUMPS (DOTS ON THE ROAD TO WARN OF CROSSWALKS AND A DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE CURB) THE BAS/ESP AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE COME ON AND THE CAR HAS AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED VIOLENT BREAKING THAT TOOK CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS HEADING. THIS BREAKING CONTINUED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS GOING LESS THAN 20 MPH, BUT CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LIMITED DURING THE EVENT. AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT WOULD BE VERY LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BAS/ESP LIGHT TURNS OFF AFTER THE CAR IS TU… Look up ODI 11022910 at NHTSA ↗	1 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 ↗	0	—	0	2 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 ↗ ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Steering	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10466514 · 138,000 mi 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 T… Look up ODI 10466514 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	2 ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗	1 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 ↗	1 ODI 10762937 · 186,675 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BAS ESP WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRIC POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C LINE FRACTURED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V208000 (VEHICLE SPEE… Look up ODI 10762937 at NHTSA ↗	2 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 ↗ ODI 10715649 · 153,100 mi I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 285 EAST AT A SPEED OF 70MPH SUDDENLY THE THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR COULDN'T RUN. SO I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL EXCEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND BAS/ESP WARING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING. HOW DO I FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS? Look up ODI 10715649 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10466514 · 138,000 mi 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 T… Look up ODI 10466514 at NHTSA ↗	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

4 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

9 mentions · 20.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 133,695 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10174434 · 72,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED A YAW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Look up ODI 10174434 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10350362 · 136,190 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT ACCELERATED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE BAS AND ESP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN DROVE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE F…

Look up ODI 10350362 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10509722 · 99,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING FROM 50 TO 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKES WOULD SPORADICALLY ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE AS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED BASED ON THE FAILURE CODES PROVIDED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE LATER RECURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR O…

Look up ODI 10509722 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Brake response concerns

7 mentions · 15.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 84,343 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10048442 · 11,000 mi

Look up ODI 10048442 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10174434 · 72,000 mi

Look up ODI 10174434 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10223721 · 82,686 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED, SLID SIDEWAYS, AND NEARLY ROLLED OVER. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE AND THE FUEL LINE CROSSED ONE ANOTHER, CAUSING BOTH TO FAIL OVER TIME. BOTH LINES ALSO CROSSE…

Look up ODI 10223721 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

4 mentions · 9.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 85,840 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10153647 · 85,840 mi

Look up ODI 10153647 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

ODI 10259430

Look up ODI 10259430 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 117,088 mi (2 usable records).

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 ↗

ODI 10471302 · 114,176 mi

I WAS DRIVING HOME CAME TO A CURVE IN THE ROAD ABOUT 15 MPH THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AS IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING ENGAGED, I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF TURNED IT BACK ON THE ESP-BAS LIGHT CAME ON. EVER SINCE THEN THE CAR IS UNPREDICTABLE IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY BUT WHEN IT WANTS TO. *TR

Look up ODI 10471302 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule