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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,422 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 steering problems

steering problem

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2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Owner Comments

problem #16

Jun 182017

ML320

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. The contact stated that the bas and esp warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the contact experienced extreme difficulty turning left and right and had to restart the vehicle several times due to the failures. The unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was also notified. The failure mileage was not available.

- Jamaica, NY, USA

problem #15

Mar 102017

ML320

  • 200,000 miles
I was pulling away from the curb, steering wheel started making whining noises and harder to turn. I continued on city streets then to a freeway where my car began to overheat. I pulled over at a gas station opened the hood and could see fluid all over right lower driver side. It seemed to be coming from a hose by the power steering cap and the right side of the radiator. Under the car same spot right passenger side I could see power steering and radiator coolant leaking from that area.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #14

Jan 112016

ML320

  • 180 miles
I have a 2002 ML320, the radio is out and the hole clamp used to secure the power steering fluid does not provide sufficient clamping causing a leak, esp/bas stays on causing low traction and the door lock. These items were recalled on the M-class 320, what happened to thes recalls.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #13

Jan 182016

ML320

  • 154,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320. After the vehicle was started, the contact heard an abnormal sound under the hood of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and discovered that the power steering hose was fractured and fluid was leaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under manufacturer safety campaign number: 2003-040005. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.

- Zionsville, IN, USA

problem #12

Nov 212014

ML320 6-cyl

  • 143,340 miles
I bought this car yesterday from an individual off craigslist and the power steering has gone out 5 times. So far only at very low speeds, but I have looked online and seen numbers complaints with power steering failure at faster speeds too. Very unsettling. There were a couple of recalls regarding the clamps and hoses, but upon research I found that Y car has no open campaigns. I guess that means they fixed the problem. There is an obvious problem still and I need it fixed or I need a new car. This is not safe.

- Sun Valley, ID, USA

problem #11

May 122014

ML320

  • 149,000 miles
While driving on the highway at 60mph the vehicle started shaking violently. The brakes started engaging on their own pulling the car to the left and right and nearly bringing the car to a sudden stop. It took a lot of effort to keep the vehicle from pulling into the other lanes and causing an accident. The bas/esp light came on the dash and has stayed on now. This all lasted for about 10 seconds. I was in the 3rd lane of a 4 lane highway during moderate traffic. I was almost rear ended by two different vehicles. I have been researching this issue and found many other drivers with the same thing. This is a dangerous defect and needs to be addressed. It doesn't take much for a sudden change in direction and speed to cause a severe accident when driving on the highway, and knowing that this vehicle is capable and know for doing this makes it very dangerous. It makes me wonder how many fatal accidents have occurred due to this problem, but no one knew because it was just assumed the to be driver error.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #10

Apr 012013

ML320 6-cyl

  • 98,224 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving home on a local street at about 30 miles per hour, approaching intersection, trying to turn, all the sudden, steering wheel became very hard to turn, with no assisting power, car run over to the other side of the road, almost crash into curb. It is very lucky, there is no incoming cars, would have crash head on otherwise. Car towed to dealer, found steering hose from radiator to steering rack broken off, steering fluid splatting all over engine. Dealer stated no recall for steering hose coming out of radiator, but there was recall on steering hose coming out of pump. So this defect was not covered. I urge NHTSA to investigate this dangerous defect immediately, and issue recall to save lives.

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #9

Feb 062013

ML320 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
Power steering O ring and hose recall.

- Westville , NJ, USA

problem #8

Nov 062012

ML320 6-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
Front passenger side wheel brake on it's own, pulling me off to the left of the road vehicle brake (right side) stayed engaged until vehicle speed was down to about 20 mph. Dealer said a bad yaw rate sensor was the problem.

- Austinburg, OH, USA

problem #7

Feb 112009

ML320

  • 62,000 miles
I have a 2002 Mercedes Benz (mb) ML320. The power steering fluid was depleting all the time from a leakage between the power steering pump and the hose. I took the vehicle to an mb dealership in georgetown, tx (garlyn shelton Mercedes Benz dealership). The repair was under recall, but the dealership still charged me $214.16. I told them the repair was for a recall, but they would not let me take my car without payment, so I paid them to have my car back. However, I'd like NHTSA to compel them or Mercedes Benz to refund me back my $214.16. I wrote to mb headquarters in New Jersey and they sill refused to refund me back my money. I have a receipt of the repair that was done on the car and the cost they billed me. I can send you the letter I wrote to mb headquarters and the repair receipt if you contact me. I'll be grateful if you can help me from this ripoff.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #6

Nov 262007

ML320

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. While making a turn at approximately 35 mph, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the steering column. The driver had to exert greater effort to make a left turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. On several occasions, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have the power steering fluid reservoir filled because it was extremely low. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and they repaired the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign id number 03V-121. The power steering cooler hose and one clamp were replaced; however, the failure still persists. Recently, the fuel pump hose and clamps were replaced at the contact's expense. The technician recommended that the fuel pump be replaced. The VIN and mileages were unknown.

- Fort Washington, PA, USA

problem #5

Feb 042008

ML320

  • 95,000 miles
Recall campaign # 2003-040005 - Mercedes Benz ml 320 recall of power steering clamp. Item was replaced by independent dealer in Virginia and the charge was completed for the service rendered. Recall notice came in the mail 3 days later, and independent dealer does not want to refund any or all of the service cost. Information received claims that Mercedes is responsible for refund now. Cost for part and service was $133.57. Looking for refund, work is complete and vehicle runs fine.

- Winchester , VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 242008

ML320

  • 113,000 miles
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, while driving to work my steering wheel became difficult to turn. When I left work, I noticed that most of the steering fluid had leaked out of my vehicle. Then on Thursday, a co worker contacted me and told me that she saw a recall on the news about the steering on Mercedes SUV. I immediately contacted the local dealer and was told that they did not have a recall in their system for my auto and it would cost me $110 to have them diagnosis my vehicle. I contacted the 800# that was on the news and was told that someone will get back with me. In the meantime, I am a recent single parent with a 14 year child that I Transport in a vehicle that I having a difficult time to steer.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #3

Sep 132005

ML320 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Numerous problems with exterior and interior lighting. Most importantly the left turn signal continually goes out without notice. Sometime the interior left turn lights up and sometimes it doesn't. other times the interior left turn light goes completely out placing me and my children in great danger. Also I made a left turn and the steering went out just as I entered the beltway and was unable steer the vehicle.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #2

Sep 162003

ML320 6-cyl

  • miles
This vehicle has numerous defects, and has been in for service countless amounts of times. Mb promised to replace the vehicle if their factory representative could verify my complaints. They absolutely found numerous, redundant defects and now only want to fix the vehicle, rather that replace the vehicle. What a bunch of liars. The vehicle has issues with the steering system, the wheel rubs and the power steering fades out, the radio and cd changer malfunction constantly, fumes from the ventilation system, and when you hit a bump, the car almost goes out of control, even the esp light comes on.

- Plainview, NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 052003

ML320

  • miles
While driving, the steering wheel locked up, which caused the consumer to veer off to the shoulder and into an embankment.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

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