Most common 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class problems
Share of the 25 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz M Class complaints by model year
Best M Class years: 2008, 2007, 1998. Years to avoid: 2000, 2006. Compare all years →
2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls (5)
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to…
Remedy: Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began during October 2011. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler May not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
Remedy: An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles May not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (please see 03V121).
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler May not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler. During clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Seat belts
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belt anchor in the rear folding middle seating position May have been manufactured with out-of-tolerance hardware.
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional rear middle seat belt anchor plate.
Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." an audible seat belt buzzer warning sounds for approximately two seconds when the vehicle ignition is turned to the on or start position and the driver seat belt is fastened.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the seat belt warning chime system.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class:
Power steering hose leak
Mercedes-Benz USA (mbusa) will notify certain model year (my) 1998 through 2003 m-class owners of the need to bring their vehicles into dealers to address the issue previously campaigned under mbusa recall 2003-040005 (NHTSA recall 03v-121).the mbusa campaign, which odi is designating recall 08v-465, will replace the power steering cooler hose and clamp in all vehicles that received the original recall remedy for…
Brake lamp switch failure.
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of…
Electronic stability control malfunction
Odi opened pe07-007 after receiving 4 complaints within a 6 week period alleging incidents of uncommanded brake application in model year (my) 2000 through 2001 Mercedes m class sport utility vehicles.information contained in the reports or gathered in subsequent consumer interviews indicated that the incidents were caused by faults in the electronic stability program (ESP) system which were repaired by replacing…
Engine crankshaft pulley failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all Mercedes-Benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures…
Brake line chafe
Analysis of complaints to odi and Mercedes and warranty claim data submitted by Mercedes indicates that the alleged defect has occurred at a low rate (36.5 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and 0.29 percent warranty claim rate), with no discernable defect trend indicating that the rate of chafing related brake line failures is increasing.there have been no new complaints since January 2009.when the analysis is limited…
What 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class owners say
Steering
A year ago I was turning a corner in my Mercedes ml320 when the steering wheel "locked." it had lost the power steering fluid and for me, the wheel was impossible to turn. I was told there was a problem with the clamp. It was under warrenty and repaired at simonson Mercedes, 1626 wilshire blvd, santa monica , ca 90403. One month and one thousand miles later the same thing happened. This time I was told that Mercedes had sent a modified clamp to correct a problem with the origional hose clamp. April 20, 2003, at 30,000 miles the power steering failed again. I had it towed into simonson on April 21, 2003 and have refused to pick it up even though it has been "repaired." I told the manager that I felt this was a life threatening defect that they had not been able to fix twice in the past. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz ml. In December of 2008, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have it repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 08V465000 (steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping). After the repair, he noticed that the vehicle was still leaking fluid. The dealer stated that if he brought the vehicle back, he would be charged for the repair. The manufacturer stated that they would call him back, but they never did. On March 26, 2009, while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle pulled to the right and the contact lost control of the steering. The vehicle veered to the side of the road and was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic found that the power steering fluid was leaking on the belts and caused the steering to fail. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 100,000.
Brakes
My biggest concern with the ml320 that I have owned since 2002, but not the only concern would be the braking system. I complained from a couple of months into buying this vehicle that I did not feel safe. The vehicle brakes goes into a locked position if you drive over a bump, man hole, or if it rains the SUV skids as if you are losing control of the vehicle. The bas ESP light comes on often, which warns you that the braking system is not working properly, it is on as I am complaining now. I have taking it to the dealership on more than one occasion complained over the phone with this issue and many more. The dealership replace a switch I believe maybe in 20002. The EPS have come on even after that. I am very fearful when it comes the braking especially in rain or ice. I have had so many issues with this vehicle, I will not recommend it to anyone. This vehicle has been a nightmare! …
I was driving my 2000 Mercedes Benz ml 430 at approximately 40 MPH, when without any warning lights being displayed it abruptly stopped. The brake pedal had not been depressed. The vehicle then skidded, stopped, skidded again and stopped. This went on for approximately 45-60 seconds then the bas ESP malfunction light came on. I was then able to drive the vehicle while the light was illuminated. I have experienced this on 4 separate occasions and have almost been involved in three accidents which all could have been fatal because the vehicle stops completely, it does not slow down then stop, it stops. I was advised to change the tires and have the brake light switch replaced. I did but the problem continued. …
Stability & traction control
I was driving my 2000 Mercedes Benz ml 430 at approximately 40 MPH, when without any warning lights being displayed it abruptly stopped. The brake pedal had not been depressed. The vehicle then skidded, stopped, skidded again and stopped. This went on for approximately 45-60 seconds then the bas ESP malfunction light came on. I was then able to drive the vehicle while the light was illuminated. I have experienced this on 4 separate occasions and have almost been involved in three accidents which all could have been fatal because the vehicle stops completely, it does not slow down then stop, it stops. I was advised to change the tires and have the brake light switch replaced. I did but the problem continued. …
This failure is best described in this investigation http://www-odi.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=pe07007&searchtype=quicksearch&summary=true I have this exact problem and Mercedes Benz doesn't acknowledge this as a known problem. No particular events LED up to this failure. A couple of months ago this incident happened to me in a parking lot while pulling out. I took it into the dealer and they replaced the brakes and said the problem was fixed. 2-3 months later, this same incident happened to me again but this time on the highway while I was going 60 with my family in the car. This is a very dangerous issue that needs to be resolved but Mercedes Benz is not complying.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class a good car?
Based on 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 M Class rates use caution: 3.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the M Class at the same age. It is one of the M Class years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class?
The steering — 8 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections. Next are the brakes (8) and stability & traction control (6).
How many recalls does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class, the most recent from March 31, 2011 (cruise control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2007 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000 and 2006. See the full Mercedes-Benz M Class years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 19% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.