I bought this vehicle from the auction in algona named whitey's public auto auction and that very day I had to put power steering fluid in because there was a leak and it was difficult to turn. I've had the power steering pump replaced and it continues to leak. I got on the internet and started to research and found out about the recall.

- Burien, WA, USA

Steering is hard to turn. Over heats and will not keep coolinat down

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

As I noticed in other complaints they all Focus in the power steering issues, fuel / oil leaks and loss, esp option, electrical mail functions that relate with the ECU, problem with the shifter. All these are safety concerns since all the above problems can cause an accident. I have the same problems in my car and it is really difficult to operate the vehicle. The power steering is not working as the car is not in speed motion unless you use strength to turn the wheel, the esp is not working at all, the shifter is not changing to drive unless you override it and that's the only way to start it and the fuel along with the oil is leaking and all the fluids are disappearing in no time. All these are safety hazards and not just a simple problem. There should have been a repair for all of these issues asap free of charge from Mercedes for the owners of the particular defective vehicles. Thank you in advance

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

My power steering goes out alot and as well leak onto the ground I find it very hard to steer my car at times. The power steering fluid doesn't last very long it's been fixed 1 and the problem persist.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

Difficult turning left or right. Uses lot of force to move the stelring

- Plano, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320. When the contact attempted to roll down both passenger side windows, they failed to roll down. The headlights and instrument panel lights failed to illuminate. The ABS, brake failure switch, and esp warning lights illuminated. When using the power steering to attempt to turn the vehicle, the warning light illuminated, indicating a malfunction of the power steering. The vehicle hesitated before completing the turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Stagecoach, NV, USA

Driving on interstate 295 in jacksonville fl at approximately 70 mph in the middle lane and the brakes locked up for 5-10 seconds and the bas/esp light came on. I nearly lost control of the vehicle and accidentally cut off several cars in the lane to my right. Fortunately nobody was injured, but it could have been very dangerous! after stopping, and shutting the car off, at an exit for so I could see if I could spot anything I tried to make my way home (off the interstate). The bas/esp light was off, and everything seemed to be alright. However, after about 30 minutes, the brakes locked up again. I was only going about 30 mph, but I was forced to come to a complete stop. There was a car behind me, but they were able to get around me safely.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

While pulling out the driveway as it suddenly became hard to steer. As I drove on and turned again steering returned to normal. About 1 month later the same thing happened only it lasted a was bit longer. The more recent event occurred on 12-22-13. Now its very hard to steer so hard that to drive is too risky. I checked the power steering fluid and it was ok. Now the mechanic says that it may be the rack.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Mercedes Benz ml 320. Consumer requests reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated the steering was extremely stiff and the vehicle would not turn. After doing some research, the consumer discovered the 2000 models years had steering problems, due to a faulty pump assembly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The consumer then received a call from the dealer, stating the pump needed to be replaced. The consumer asked about the pump and hose recall. The dealer stated the parts would be replaced free of charge. However, the pump was not apart of the recall and it would cost $ 1190 to replace it. The consumer requested that just the recall parts be replaced. But, the dealer stated it probably would not fix the problem.

- Belle Mead, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated while driving, the battery light illuminated and the steering wheel became hard to turn. The engine temperature increased and smoke released from under the hood. The vehicle was driven to the contacts home. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 121,700.

- Mankato , MN, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320. While driving 40 mph the power steering failed and the steering wheel continued to move to the right or left. He lost control of the vehicle and crashed into some small trees which damaged the left side of the vehicle. There were no injuries. The vehicle will be towed to the body shop for the repairs. The dealer was called and informed him to contact his insurance carrier. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Yermo, CA, USA

Power lost on steering wheel.

- London, 00, USA

The 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.

- Brockton , MA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 03V121000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections) and had the necessary repairs performed by the dealer. However, she continued to experience failures with the power steering fluid leaking. The steering wheel became more difficult to turn over time. On a separate occasion, she received a second recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V465000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). The dealer stated that the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler needed to be replaced at the cost of $1,200. The dealer stated that it would be pointless to repair the vehicle according to the recall when additional components were affected as a result of the steering failure. The initial recall stated that consumers who had repairs made before November 23, 2003 could possibly have the hose replaced, if found defective. The contact had repairs made prior to that date. She also experienced failures with the catalytic converter and the check engine indicator continued to illuminate on the instrument panel. After the repairs were made, the check engine indicator continued to illuminate. The dealer could not duplicate the failure and stated that it was not related to the power steering. The failure mileage was 87,582 and current mileage was 190,000.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated that she received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V465000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections) and immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. After the repair, she noticed fluid near the front driver's side tire. The dealer stated that she needed to replace the rack and pinion; however, they could not identify the specific cause of the failure. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle inspected and notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 99,619.

- Amityville, NY, USA

This complaint arises out of NHTSA campaign id number 08V465000 (most recent) involving a defective hose and clamp associated with the power steering. I am waiting to have those items installed on my 2000 Mercedes ML55 when the parts are obtained by my dealer, mbl of tyson's corner, va, which solicited me to have the repairs made and I tried to do so but the parts were not in stock. My complaint has to do with Mercedes's refusal to take any responsibility for the fact that since I bought the car in 2000, it has had three or four power steering pumps to go bad and have to be replaced. In your recall notice, you state that the defective hose and clamp "ultimately can damage the power steering pump. This could result in a loss of control and a crash without warning>" since I bought this car in 2000, it will not have had a non-defective power steering system. As best I can determine from paper in my possession, the power steering pump has been replaced at least three times. I suppose that Mercedes could argue that four pumps represents normal wear-and-tear, but it seems to me that there is some connection between the defective hose and clamp and the need to replace multiple pumps. The pump is a big-ticket item--more than $1,200 each to buy and have installed. It strikes me as unlikely in the extreme that the defective hose and clamp did not contribute to the failure of at least three power steering pumps over the last 9 years.

- Great Falls, VA, USA

Power steering leaking loss of steering took to dealership. Advise not aware of recall. Car was repaired in 2003 due to the same issue under another recall. Finally replace hose, but power steering continues to leak.

- Plano, TX, USA

Bas/esp light comes on, brakes engage, steering wheel turns to the right...happens at speeds 60 mph and higher; car difficult to control, no warning--I have used two category options on the form, but I really do not know which options to choose to describe the above problem...SUV has done this on expressway driving over and over for the past 6 years....each time the dealer thinks they have fixed the problem....

- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

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. I asked them to buy back the vehicle and was told someone from Mercedes higher up would contact me.

- Pacific Palisades, CA, USA

Vehicle was always being serviced and the air bags failed to deploy in a severe accident. The consumer was struck by another driver and caused damage on both sides of the vehicle. Both sides of the doors were smashed and there was extensive damage in the passenger's cabin. Other problems are as followed: The engine light was on, engine low level oil light had come on, when the right front and left rear windows were erratic when going down, the cigarette lighter was inoperative, the rear cargo accessory plug was inoperative, the trim on the left side of the left front seat cracked, there was a buldge on the right rear tire, lug bolts were missing on the right rear wheel and the rear pads needed to be replaced, there was a noise heard in the rear when going over bumps, the power supply plug in the rear cargo area was inoperative, the light behind the climate control panel was inoperative, the left front window was intermittent, the left front park light was inoperative, the left front door was not closing due to the latching, the rear electrical plug in the rear cargo area was inoperative, the material on the center console wrinkled, the sunroof would bind when opened, the rear tire had a knot on the sidewall, when the vehicle was filled with fuel the fuel gauge would go down, there was a noise in he right front wheel when driven at low speeds, there was a whining noise when turning the steering wheel and the steering was stiff.

- Alorton, IL, USA