2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
  10
• Hydraulic power assist system
  4
• Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  315%
• 25k–50k
  525%
• 50k–75k
  420%
• 75k–100k
  210%
• 100k–150k
  525%
• 150k+
  15%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering failed and the contact lost control of the vehicle. He crashed into a tree and the vehicle was completely destroyed. The air bags deployed and the chemicals caused severe burns on his right arm. He has supporting documents. After the crash, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V465000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections), which explicitly referenced the failure that he experienced. He called the manufacturer and is currently waiting for a response. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.

While driving at 40 MPH unintended brake application causing loss of control. This has happened numerous times under different speeds and condition. It has happened on curves and straight road conditions. This has been happening since May 2016 at least 15 to 20 times.

I was driving approximately 25 MPH getting onto the highway when all of a sudden my brakes seemed to lock up. My vehicle jerked violently and I heard this awful grinding noise. I was narrowly missed by the vehicle behind me as the jerk slammed my vehicle to a halt and turned my wheels causing my steering wheel to jerk as well. I was able to pull off to the side of the road and sat there for a while and once again tried to proceed ahead and almost immediately the same incident happened. I called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to a Mercedes dealer who kept the vehicle for three days and could not recreate the issue however they stated that the yaw sensor came up as faulty during the diagnostic. I went to pick up the vehicle and as the tech drove it up it again started jerking. $1000 later the yaw sensor has been replaced but I feel like this issue is definitely a safety hazard. …

Tl contact owns a 2001 Mercedes ML320. While traveling at 65mph, the vehicle suddenly veered to the right lane. She attempted to steer the vehicle back into her lane but lost control of the vehicle. She pressed on the break pedal but they fell straight to the floor. She grabbed the steering wheel again with more force. She steered the vehicle back to the left and off the road into a patch of grass. The vehicle finally came to a stop. She had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The mechanic could not locate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealership in which they ran diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the failure occured from a stop lamp switch. They replaced the part but that did not repair the failure. While driving on another occassion she lost control of the vehicle and brake failure. She veered onto other lanes. …

Tl contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 03V121000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). While attempting to leave a parking lot, she could not place the vehicle into gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer at the cost of $150. The dealer stated that the power steering pump, hydraulics, ring, and drive belt needed to be replaced at the cost of $1,320. The manufacturer stated that the recall defect caused the failure and the contact should be reimbursed for the amount they paid. She was informed that there would not be any reimbursement because the dealer will only install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose, which would lead to the power steering cooler. The power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as needed. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated that the power steering hose clamp was replaced in 2005 due to an unusual noise being emitted from the steering wheel. Most recently while driving 45 MPH and attempting a turn, a loud noise emitted from the steering wheel. The failure occurred whenever the contact completed a turn. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 03V121000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign id number 08V465000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections) however, the dealer advised that there was a charge to first perform a diagnostic before having the recall repairs performed. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Vehicle was repaired under recall 03V121000 concerning power steering hose clamp. After the repairs were done, the vehicle lost power steering while driving 55 MPH due to a clamp failure. This demonstrated that recall remedy was inadequate. After the recall failure, the consumer learned Mercedes redesigned the clamp three times. The clamp used on the consumer's vehicle wasn't the same clamp being used throughout the recall. Mercedes was continuing to modify the clamps. Consumer noted that the recall should be recalled again. Steering was lost without notice and which was unacceptable.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V465000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections) and had the recall repair performed at the local dealer. The hose and clamp were replaced; however, the dealer stated that the power steering pump was damaged and causing a leak. The contact was informed that the repairs would not be covered under the recall and would cost $1,025. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist with the repairs. The failure mileage was 72839. Updated 12/14/09.

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 has a recall for power steering pump. Consumer states that the dealership repaired the hose and clamp but refused to replace the power steering pump. The consumer stated the power steering pump had failed previously and ran completely dry and was making a lot of noise and there was a loss of power steering control. The consumer stated the failure of the hose and clamp caused damage to the power steering pump. The consumer was informed the recall only covered repairs to the hose and clamp and additional damage was not covered.

I was driving and the catr started stalling. I tried to turn off the road and I could not turn at all becasuse the steering wheel could not turn. It felt like it was locked. I called the Mercedes roadside assistance and their representative said that the power steering hose unsnapped, as a result, he had to go to a local track auto store to buy a temporary part to replace it. This was a scary and close call as I saw a metro bus almost run into me as I was trying to maneavor the car out of the way.

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other ML320 years