NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
136 reportsMileage unknown · Jan 4, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE NEARLY KILLED. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING SENDING MY ML320 MERCEDES BENZ SKIDDING ACROSS TWO LANES BARELY AVOIDING A DEADLY CRASH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO FIX IT. THEY CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY AND YET MY CAR SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY DEFECTIVE AND UNDRIVABL…
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MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE NEARLY KILLED. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING SENDING MY ML320 MERCEDES BENZ SKIDDING ACROSS TWO LANES BARELY AVOIDING A DEADLY CRASH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO FIX IT. THEY CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY AND YET MY CAR SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY DEFECTIVE AND UNDRIVABLE. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PURSUE THIS ISSUE ? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177775
46,000 miles · Dec 5, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THIS STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND CAUSED A COMPLETE STALLING OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THIS STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND CAUSED A COMPLETE STALLING OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THIS WAS THE FOURTH INSTANCE OF THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER STATED EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTLEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SUDDENLY HER SPEED WAS REDUCED FROM 70 MPH TO 0 AND THEN THE BRAKES LOCKED. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175190
54,945 miles · Nov 22, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY VEHICLE WAS AT APPOX. 55000 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD THE ABS PUMP WENT OUT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS INDEED NO LONGER IN WARRANTY, THIS PART IN MY ESTIMATION SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE FACTORY. THIS PART AFFECTS THE ABS SYSTEM, THE CORRECTIVE SLIPPAGE SYSTEM AND OVERALL HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED TO FAIL AT 5…
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MY VEHICLE WAS AT APPOX. 55000 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD THE ABS PUMP WENT OUT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS INDEED NO LONGER IN WARRANTY, THIS PART IN MY ESTIMATION SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE FACTORY. THIS PART AFFECTS THE ABS SYSTEM, THE CORRECTIVE SLIPPAGE SYSTEM AND OVERALL HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED TO FAIL AT 55000 MILES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WHICH THIS IS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174100
76,000 miles · Jun 1, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury
SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE, INCLUDING BRAKING ASSIST, SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS AND TEL-AIDE DUE TO COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE. CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS AFTER WHICH CUSTOMER PAID TO HAVE VEHICLE REVIEWED BUMPER TO BUMPER AND THE FAILING CHIP WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS TIME, THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE TO WARN OF THE FAILURE WHICH T…
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SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE, INCLUDING BRAKING ASSIST, SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS AND TEL-AIDE DUE TO COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE. CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS AFTER WHICH CUSTOMER PAID TO HAVE VEHICLE REVIEWED BUMPER TO BUMPER AND THE FAILING CHIP WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS TIME, THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE TO WARN OF THE FAILURE WHICH THE VEHICLE COMPUTER DOCUMENTED 15 TIMES IN A SIX-MONTH PERIOD (BETWEEN THE TWO ACCIDENTS). APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS LATER, THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AGAIN. DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY TIMES SYSTEM HAD FAILED SINCE IT WAS 'FIXED.' TRADED IN VEHICLE FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158774
91,450 miles · May 1, 2006
Seats
1. DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME ON 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 320 WITH 91,500 MILES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING SEAT TO ROCK BACKWARDS ON ITS TRACKWAY. 2. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND TAKE IT TO A SERVICING MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER. 3. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPLACED LEFT FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY, PART # 1639105177910…
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1. DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME ON 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 320 WITH 91,500 MILES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING SEAT TO ROCK BACKWARDS ON ITS TRACKWAY. 2. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND TAKE IT TO A SERVICING MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER. 3. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPLACED LEFT FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY, PART # 16391051779108 WHICH HAD CRACKED AND FAILED DUE TO METAL FATIGUE OR STRESS. FAILED PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED TO REPLACE PART UNDER COMPANY EXTENDED WARRANTY (100K MILE WARRANTY).
NHTSA ODI #10156545
15,000 miles · Apr 18, 2006
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
I OWN A MERCEDES BENZ 2001 ML320 AND THE LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR FAILED AROUND 15,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE BAS/ESP (BREAK ASSIST/ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM) WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DURING EACH SHORT OR LONG TRIPS AND GOES AWAY AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A WHILE AND RESTART OF THE ENGINE AND THIS STA…
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I OWN A MERCEDES BENZ 2001 ML320 AND THE LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR FAILED AROUND 15,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE BAS/ESP (BREAK ASSIST/ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM) WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DURING EACH SHORT OR LONG TRIPS AND GOES AWAY AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A WHILE AND RESTART OF THE ENGINE AND THIS STARTED TO OCCUR AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT DID NOT WORK BECAUSE THE WRONG PARTS WAS USED (SO THE DEALER SAYS) AND THE PROBLEM CAME RIGHT BACK BUT WAS CORRECTED WITH THE CORRECT PARTS THE SECOND TIME (SOMETIMES I FEEL THE ESP KICKS IN AND BREAKING BUT THAT MIGHT JUST BE MY FEELING). THIS COULD BE A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM SINCE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE USED TO THESE SAFETY FEATURES MAY HAVE WRONG SENSE OF FEELING WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS UNEXPECTEDLY AT A TIME WHEN THIS FEATURE CAN AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10155571
50,400 miles · Mar 22, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S REMOTE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, THE REMOTE WORKED AND THE CAR STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND AN ABS SWITCH. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP THEN DETERMINED THE AF…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S REMOTE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, THE REMOTE WORKED AND THE CAR STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND AN ABS SWITCH. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP THEN DETERMINED THE AFTERMARKET ALARM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE CONTACT HAD THIS REMOVED AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL PRESENT. THE DEALER HAS NOW DETERMINED THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE COMPUTER. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 01V061000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10153451
65,546 miles · Mar 16, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE OIL. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PISTON RINGS FRACTURED. THE BLOCK AND PISTON RINGS ARE BEING REPLACED. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10152837
49,000 miles · Oct 24, 2005
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS, AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THEY WERE TELLING THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO CONTACT DEALER. *AK TH…
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DT: CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS, AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THEY WERE TELLING THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO CONTACT DEALER. *AK THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS IMOPERATIVE. UPDATED 01/06/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10140555
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2004
Seats
I OWN 2001 MB ML320; THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT PLASTIC FRAME KEEPS BREAKING CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES AND THEY HAVE FIXED IT, HOWEVER, TODAY THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT SINCE IT IS NOT "TOTALLY CRACKED" THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I AM ABOUT TO CROSS 50,000.00 MILE WARRANTY AND TH…
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I OWN 2001 MB ML320; THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT PLASTIC FRAME KEEPS BREAKING CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES AND THEY HAVE FIXED IT, HOWEVER, TODAY THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT SINCE IT IS NOT "TOTALLY CRACKED" THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I AM ABOUT TO CROSS 50,000.00 MILE WARRANTY AND THAT IS A REAL REASON WHY MY DEALER: KNAUZ CONTINENTAL AUTOS IN LAKA BLUFF, ILLINOIS IS NO LONGER WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FRAMING CRACKS ARE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT IS WHY IT KEEPS BREAKING. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND E-MAIL PICTURES TO WHOEVER WILL BE WORKING ON THIS CASE. THE DEALER IS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE END OF WARRANTY AND NOT TELL ME THAT ITS NOT "TOTALLY CRACKED". PLEASE RESPOND: VIN: [XXX]. *AK PLEASE ASSIST WITH THIS CASE. UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10100786
NHTSA investigations
3PE10050 · Brake Lamp Switch Failure.
Opened Dec 21, 2010 · Closed May 4, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
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 electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
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 electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
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 electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
Vehicle Speed Control
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 electrical contacts and a (normally extended) spring loaded plunger that actuates the contacts as it moves.As installed in the vehicle, the plunger contacts the brake pedal arm and is pushed into the switch; as the driver applies the pedal the plunger extends.One set of contacts (BLS) operates the stop lamps, a second set (EWM) controls the shift interlock system, and a third set (BS) is used by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to monitor switch operation.The cruise control monitors the BLS signal to determine when the brake is applied, the primary way the system is disabled when set.The relative timing of contact actuation in response to plunger movement allows the OBD system to detect a switch fault.When a fault is detected a malfunction indication lamp (MIL) is illuminated (driver alert), a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored (for the service technician), and cruise control operation is inhibited (as a failsafe).In its response to ODI's January 2011 information request letter, MB explained its assessment of switch failures which was based primarily on evaluation of field return failures.MB identified both 1) electrical contact and 2) mechanical switch failure mechanisms.According to MB's analysis, electrical contact failure is the predominate failure type and the failure consequence depends on which contact fails.For instance MB claims that BLS contact failures are momentary in nature and do not affect brake light operation but are nonetheless detected by the OBD system, resulting in a DTC and subsequent replacement.Electrical contact failures of the BS and EWM contacts result in a DTC also, and EWM contact failures result in the shifter being stuck in the park (which can be overridden by the consumer).Accordingly MB maintains that electrical contact failures of the switch have no safety consequence since the brake lamps remain operational and the cruise control is always disabled.MB determined that mechanical failures of the switch, which are rare in their assessment, can result from internal wear and/or increased switch operating temperatures.High temperatures occur due to overheating of the BLS contacts and can cause the internal plastic components to melt.In one scenario overheated BLS contacts may melt to the extended plunger and are damaged when the brake pedal is released resulting in the brake lights staying on.In another scenario the increased temperatures and/or internal wear can cause the plunger to stick in the fully depressed position.In this case the cruise may not cancel when the brake is applied and the driver may have to use high brake pedal forces or other means (shifting to neutral or using the cruise master switch) to disengage the cruise.Additionally the vacuum assist can be depleted if the driver pumps the brakes resulting in reduced braking effectiveness and even higher pedal forces.In its March 31, 2011 defect notification, MB stated that to remediate the potential need for excessive brake force it would conduct a safety recall (11V-208) to replace the switch with a more robustly designed component.The recall includes 136,751 model year 2000 - 2002 M-Class and model year 2000 - 2004 M-Class AMG vehicles.Owner notification letters will be mailed
PE07007 · Electronic Stability Control Malfunction
Opened Feb 1, 2007 · Closed Jul 11, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electronic Stability Control:automatic (asc)
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 THE YAW RATE SENSORS.ALTHOUGH THE SAME YAW RATE SENSOR IS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 800,000 OTHER MERCEDES M-CLASS, C-CLASS AND SLK MODELS, TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE RELATED COMPLAINT TO ODI IN THOSE VEHICLES. DURING THIS INVESTIGATION MERCEDES BENZ PROVIDED ODI WITH 327 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE ESP SYSTEM IN THE MY 2000 THROUGH 2001 M CLASS VEHICLES.SEVEN OF THE COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED BY MERCEDES ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNCOMMANDED BRAKE ACTIVATION WHILE DRIVING, WITH TWO OF THESE INVOLVING VEHICLES IDENTIFIED IN THE ODI COMPLAINTS.NONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN CRASH OR INJURY.HOWEVER, THE OWNERS DID EXPRESS SAFETY CONCERNS DUE TO THE SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN VEHICLE SPEED AND DIRECTION. ON MAY 10, 2007 MERCEDES BENZ MET WITH NHTSA TO PROVIDE A TECHNICAL PRESENTATION AND CONDUCT A DRIVING DEMONSTRATION OF THE ESP SYSTEM PERFORMANCE WITH SIMULATED ELECTRICAL FAULTS IN THE YAW RATE SENSOR.MERCEDES SHOWED THAT THE ESP SYSTEM IS PROGRAMMED TO DIAGNOSE ELECTRICAL FAULTS AND THAT BRAKE APPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM YAW RATE SENSOR ELECTRICAL FAULTS ARE VERY SHORT IN DURATION (0.3 SECONDS OR LESS) AND DO NOT AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY. NINE OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND MERCEDES ALLEGED BRAKE ACTIVATIONS LONGER THAN 0.3 SECONDS, WITH SEVERAL ALLEGING THAT THE INCIDENT LASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP.A COMPLAINT VEHICLE THAT ALLEGED MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WAS EVALUATED BY ODI AT THE VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TEST CENTER (VRTC) IN EAST LIBERTY, OHIO.VRTC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION.DUE TO THE LOW COMPLAINT RATE AND ONLY ONE NEW COMPLAINT TO ODI OR MERCEDES SINCE JANUARY 2007, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND OTHER MERCEDES PRODUCTS USING THE SAME YAW RATE SENSOR AND MERCEDES WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON FIELD EXPERIENCE (COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS) THROUGH THE END OF 2007.
PE03006 · Power Steering Hose Assembly Leakage
Opened Feb 13, 2003 · Closed Apr 4, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE CONNECTION.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN GRADUAL REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST (I.E., INCREASED STEERING EFFORT) OVER TIME, WITH POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS OF HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FITTING, THAT HAVE RESULTED IN MORE RAPID REDUCTIONS OF POWER STEERING.TESTING CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ INDICATES THAT THE LEAKED FLUID IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS.THERE ARE NO KNOWN ALLEGATIONS THAT THE DEFECT CONDITION HAS CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUBJECT M-CLASS VEHICLES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
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