Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 smell the brake dust in the car. Other times, it will ALMOST engage (ESP light flashes as well) then backs off.
Re: 2001 mb ML430 electronic braking sensor the front passenger brake initially locked up at low speed upon acceleration. After stopping and turning the vehicle off and back on the system was back to normal. Then one day I was traveling at near 70 MPH in the passing lane of an interstate highway when the front driver brake locked up and brake tire smoke billowed from my vehicle which caused traffic behind me to swerve and brake behind and on the side of me. I proceeded to pull off onto the shoulder of the highway and turned my vehicle off and back on, after which my vehicle operated normally. I proceeded to do an online search and learned that this was a common sort of problem for this model.. Particularly at low speeds. In my case it happened at low speeds and then the one time at 70 MPH. …
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 of the contact's vehicle. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 102,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl 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 not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 90,000. Vehicle VIN [redacted]
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 speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,675. Updated 11/23/15 the consumer fixed the vehicle at his/her expense. Updated 01/29/16.
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 turned off.
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?
Vehicle's front wheel brakes by itself while driving and the EPS warning light comes on afterwards. Extremely dangerous in highway driving. Had the brakes checked, but nothing wrong. Online complaints suggests a failure in yaw rate sensor.
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. I manually turned off the cruise, and the bas/ESP light remained on. Later, with the ESP/bas light on, I reengage the cruise to see if it would reset, but again it failed to disengage when the brake pedal was pressed, and I had to manually turn off the cruise. …
After driving 2001 ML430 for approx. 30 min. There is uncommanded brake application and it will bring you to a complete stop. It will not take gas and it is hard to control vehicle because you can feel brake being applied to left and right wheels pulling you left and right at this time. Very dangerous. This happens every day the vehicle is driven about 30 min. In to drive time. As this is happening the bas/ESP light comes on during braking and remains on. After you have come to complete stop and start to drive again over 10 miles per hour brakes are applied again and it stops you. Mercedes service dept has never heard of this problem. There are several complaints of this on different web sites and customers say they have spent alot af time and money on different parts with Mercedes service dept. And vehicle still has same problem. …
Brake complaints in other ML430 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430, 52% of the model year's 44 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.