U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz ML430 brakes problems

50 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.

Key facts

136 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

91,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1990 to 2001 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 96 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Braking behavior evidence

50 of 136 complaints match this topic (36.8%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

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 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 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 10073871 · 2004-05-19 (May 19, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH BRAKE SYSTEM SEIZED. CONSUMER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS MELTED. ALSO, ABS PUMP UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073871 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033819 · 2003-08-13 (August 13, 2003)

CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS EVERY 5000 MILES, AND SAME PROBLEM RECURRING. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033819 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

136 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

70.6%Usable mileage96 / 136 records

93.4%Valid incident date127 / 136 records

100.0%Valid filing date136 / 136 records

93.4%Ordered incident and filing dates127 / 136 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	123,750–171,250 mi	137,000 mi	12	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 ↗ ODI 10896063 · 137,000 mi ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING MERCEDES BENZ ML430, AT EITHER SLOW SPEED OR 50+ MPH, BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY STOP THE CAR AND SKID THE TIRES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY 5 CARS AT ONE TIME BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. TODAY, 8/15/16, WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS A VERY SCARY SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY IN YOUR BACK SEAT. THE CHANCES OF GETTING REAR ENDED OR HIT BY TRAFFIC IS A HUGE CONCERN. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS?!?! I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS UPON HUN… Look up ODI 10896063 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11046947 · 187,300 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON EXPRESSWAY, CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED ON ONLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BRAKING WAS A SEVERE PUMPING THAT LASTED ABOUT 2 SECONDS. WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ME AS THE CAR BUCKED AND I MOVED TO THE SIDE OF TH ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. NOTING NOTHING RELATED TO THE LEFT RONT WHEEL, I EXITED THE EXIT RAMP AND PROCEEDED DOWN A SIDE STR… Look up ODI 11046947 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	83,750–147,000 mi	94,000 mi	12	ODI 10258251 · 30,000 mi TLTHE 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 ↗ 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 TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID OVER TIME. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD COST $1,050 TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. Look up ODI 10253972 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	71,750–121,711 mi	88,000 mi	12	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 ↗ 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 ↗ 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 ↗
Electrical System	88,750–166,500 mi	126,000 mi	10	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 ↗ 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 ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	118,414–150,063 mi	131,000 mi	10	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 ↗ ODI 10384392 · 123,000 mi I OWN A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 430, ON 07/12/10, 07/15/10, 07/23/10, 07/25/10, 07/28/10 AND 07/29/10 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHCILE WOULD BRAKE-SKID-BRAKE-SKID THIS LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE; THEN THE BAS/ESP AND EST LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON MY DASHBOARD, THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN BE DRIVEABLE WHILE THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, ONCE THESE LIGHTS WENT OFF THE VEHICLE WOULD START BRAKING & SKIDDING AGAIN. I REPORTED… Look up ODI 10384392 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10429573 · 112,000 mi THIS CAR HAS ALMOST WRECKED ME OVER 6 TIMES. THE BRAKES WOULD COME ON AND STOP THE CAR AND YOU COULD NOT GO FORWARD UNTIL YOU TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART. THIS EVEN HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE ONCE. EACH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT WOULD COME . THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE YAW SENSOR AND WOULD COST AROUND $1,000 TO REPLACE. THE MERCEDES DEALER ACTED LIKE THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF OTHER CARS LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING BUT WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET THERE WERE MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE ON THE INTERSTATE. HOW CAN … Look up ODI 10429573 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	105,250–183,006 mi	147,025 mi	10	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 ↗ ODI 10414030 · 200,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILE AND SHE SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND MINOR BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. Look up ODI 10414030 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10463425 · 121,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S CHEST, ARMS AND HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. Look up ODI 10463425 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 ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	101,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10463425 · 121,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S CHEST, ARMS AND HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. Look up ODI 10463425 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10478630 · 101,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. Look up ODI 10478630 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10694449 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. Look up ODI 10694449 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
2024-11	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	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (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	Steering	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Electrical System	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Vehicle Speed Control	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Air Bags
Service Brakes	—	0	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 ↗	6 ODI 10896063 · 137,000 mi ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING MERCEDES BENZ ML430, AT EITHER SLOW SPEED OR 50+ MPH, BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY STOP THE CAR AND SKID THE TIRES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY 5 CARS AT ONE TIME BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. TODAY, 8/15/16, WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS A VERY SCARY SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY IN YOUR BACK SEAT. THE CHANCES OF GETTING REAR ENDED OR HIT BY TRAFFIC IS A HUGE CONCERN. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS?!?! I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS UPON HUN… Look up ODI 10896063 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11046947 · 187,300 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON EXPRESSWAY, CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED ON ONLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BRAKING WAS A SEVERE PUMPING THAT LASTED ABOUT 2 SECONDS. WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ME AS THE CAR BUCKED AND I MOVED TO THE SIDE OF TH ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. NOTING NOTHING RELATED TO THE LEFT RONT WHEEL, I EXITED THE EXIT RAMP AND PROCEEDED DOWN A SIDE STR… Look up ODI 11046947 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 ↗	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
Steering	0	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 10965771 · 199,205 mi MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL AND WAS SERVICED ON FEB 9TH 2015 FOR BRAKE SWITCH DEALING WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND POWER STEERING LOW PRESSURE HOSE ON 3/11/2017 THE SAME PROBELMS OCCURED AND IT IS A MANUFACTOR ISSUE AND NOT GETTING JUSTICE FOR GETTING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR SAME ISSUE VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING CAR IT WAS FIXED BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF WAPPINGERS FALLS ON FEB 9TH 2015 BUT SAME ISSUE RETURNED. Look up ODI 10965771 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	—	1 ODI 10498921 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML-430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND HAD THE ISSUE ADDRESSED. HOWEVER, SHE FELT THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED ABS, SRS, BAS, ESP AND ETS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. SOME OF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, WHILE SOME HAVE REMAINED ON. Look up ODI 10498921 at NHTSA ↗	3 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 ↗ ODI 10478258 · 140,950 mi ON FRIDAY (09-28-2012 02:35 PM), I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT 30 MILES NE OF DALLAS, TX, I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 75. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY 75 SOUTH BOUND AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. ALL THE SUDDEN, MY SUV STARTED BRAKING AND I SAW THE SPEEDOMETER DROP FROM 65 DOWN AND I COULD HEAR MY TIRES CATCHING AS IT WAS BRAKING BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRIED THE GAS PEDAL TWICE BUT NO RESPONSE AND I SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE MINIVAN BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO RED… Look up ODI 10478258 at NHTSA ↗ 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 ↗	2 ODI 10478258 · 140,950 mi ON FRIDAY (09-28-2012 02:35 PM), I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT 30 MILES NE OF DALLAS, TX, I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 75. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY 75 SOUTH BOUND AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. ALL THE SUDDEN, MY SUV STARTED BRAKING AND I SAW THE SPEEDOMETER DROP FROM 65 DOWN AND I COULD HEAR MY TIRES CATCHING AS IT WAS BRAKING BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRIED THE GAS PEDAL TWICE BUT NO RESPONSE AND I SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE MINIVAN BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO RED… Look up ODI 10478258 at NHTSA ↗ 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	1 ODI 10498921 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML-430. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND HAD THE ISSUE ADDRESSED. HOWEVER, SHE FELT THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED ABS, SRS, BAS, ESP AND ETS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. SOME OF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, WHILE SOME HAVE REMAINED ON. Look up ODI 10498921 at NHTSA ↗	—	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)	6 ODI 10896063 · 137,000 mi ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING MERCEDES BENZ ML430, AT EITHER SLOW SPEED OR 50+ MPH, BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY STOP THE CAR AND SKID THE TIRES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY 5 CARS AT ONE TIME BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. TODAY, 8/15/16, WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS A VERY SCARY SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY IN YOUR BACK SEAT. THE CHANCES OF GETTING REAR ENDED OR HIT BY TRAFFIC IS A HUGE CONCERN. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS?!?! I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS UPON HUN… Look up ODI 10896063 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11046947 · 187,300 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON EXPRESSWAY, CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED ON ONLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BRAKING WAS A SEVERE PUMPING THAT LASTED ABOUT 2 SECONDS. WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ME AS THE CAR BUCKED AND I MOVED TO THE SIDE OF TH ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. NOTING NOTHING RELATED TO THE LEFT RONT WHEEL, I EXITED THE EXIT RAMP AND PROCEEDED DOWN A SIDE STR… Look up ODI 11046947 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	3 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 ↗ ODI 10478258 · 140,950 mi ON FRIDAY (09-28-2012 02:35 PM), I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT 30 MILES NE OF DALLAS, TX, I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 75. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY 75 SOUTH BOUND AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. ALL THE SUDDEN, MY SUV STARTED BRAKING AND I SAW THE SPEEDOMETER DROP FROM 65 DOWN AND I COULD HEAR MY TIRES CATCHING AS IT WAS BRAKING BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRIED THE GAS PEDAL TWICE BUT NO RESPONSE AND I SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE MINIVAN BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO RED… Look up ODI 10478258 at NHTSA ↗ 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	—	3 ODI 10478258 · 140,950 mi ON FRIDAY (09-28-2012 02:35 PM), I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT 30 MILES NE OF DALLAS, TX, I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 75. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY 75 SOUTH BOUND AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. ALL THE SUDDEN, MY SUV STARTED BRAKING AND I SAW THE SPEEDOMETER DROP FROM 65 DOWN AND I COULD HEAR MY TIRES CATCHING AS IT WAS BRAKING BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRIED THE GAS PEDAL TWICE BUT NO RESPONSE AND I SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE MINIVAN BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO RED… Look up ODI 10478258 at NHTSA ↗ 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
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 10965771 · 199,205 mi MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL AND WAS SERVICED ON FEB 9TH 2015 FOR BRAKE SWITCH DEALING WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND POWER STEERING LOW PRESSURE HOSE ON 3/11/2017 THE SAME PROBELMS OCCURED AND IT IS A MANUFACTOR ISSUE AND NOT GETTING JUSTICE FOR GETTING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR SAME ISSUE VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING CAR IT WAS FIXED BY MERCEDES-BENZ OF WAPPINGERS FALLS ON FEB 9TH 2015 BUT SAME ISSUE RETURNED. Look up ODI 10965771 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10478258 · 140,950 mi ON FRIDAY (09-28-2012 02:35 PM), I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT 30 MILES NE OF DALLAS, TX, I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 75. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY 75 SOUTH BOUND AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. ALL THE SUDDEN, MY SUV STARTED BRAKING AND I SAW THE SPEEDOMETER DROP FROM 65 DOWN AND I COULD HEAR MY TIRES CATCHING AS IT WAS BRAKING BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRIED THE GAS PEDAL TWICE BUT NO RESPONSE AND I SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE MINIVAN BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO RED… Look up ODI 10478258 at NHTSA ↗ 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 ↗	3 ODI 10478258 · 140,950 mi ON FRIDAY (09-28-2012 02:35 PM), I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT 30 MILES NE OF DALLAS, TX, I WAS TRAVELING ON SOUTH BOUND HIGHWAY 75. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY 75 SOUTH BOUND AND I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. ALL THE SUDDEN, MY SUV STARTED BRAKING AND I SAW THE SPEEDOMETER DROP FROM 65 DOWN AND I COULD HEAR MY TIRES CATCHING AS IT WAS BRAKING BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRIED THE GAS PEDAL TWICE BUT NO RESPONSE AND I SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE MINIVAN BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO RED… Look up ODI 10478258 at NHTSA ↗ 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	2 ODI 10463425 · 121,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S CHEST, ARMS AND HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. Look up ODI 10463425 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10694449 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. Look up ODI 10694449 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	0	2 ODI 10463425 · 121,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S CHEST, ARMS AND HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. Look up ODI 10463425 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10694449 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. Look up ODI 10694449 at NHTSA ↗	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

7 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

27 mentions · 19.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,000 mi (23 usable records).

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 ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

14 mentions · 10.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 116,885 mi (13 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

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…

Look up ODI 10286165 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule

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

Brake response concerns

9 mentions · 6.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 88,000 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10346283 · 116,885 mi

Look up ODI 10346283 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10384392 · 123,000 mi

I OWN A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 430, ON 07/12/10, 07/15/10, 07/23/10, 07/25/10, 07/28/10 AND 07/29/10 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHCILE WOULD BRAKE-SKID-BRAKE-SKID THIS LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE; THEN THE BAS/ESP AND EST LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON MY DASHBOARD, THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN BE DRIVEABLE WHILE THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, ONCE THESE LIGHTS WENT OFF THE VEHICLE WOULD START BRAKING & SKIDDING AGAIN. I REPORTED…

Look up ODI 10384392 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

7 mentions · 5.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 71,700 mi (7 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

Hard or delayed shifting

3 mentions · 2.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 117,088 mi (2 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 ↗

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 1.5% 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

Fuel smell or leak mentions

2 mentions · 1.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 44,934 mi (1 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 ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule

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