Mercedes Benz ML320 steering problems
145 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
Key facts
691 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 462 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Steering behavior evidence
145 of 691 complaints match this topic (21.0%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10026710 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE BOTH LIGHTS HAD COME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND HAD BECOME UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, BECAUSE THE BELT CAME OFF THE ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING, AND THE AC, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 79,279 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039719 · 2003-09-10 (September 10, 2003)
THE HARMONIC BALANCE THAT IS LOCATED IN THE CRANKSHAFT WENT OUT AND CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE DAMPER PULLEY HAD SEPARATED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051220 · 2003-12-29 (December 29, 2003)
1998 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320, 73K MILES - CRANKSHAFT HARMONIC BALANCER DISINTEGRATED, RESULTING IN CONCURRENT LOSS OF MULTIRIBBED-V-BELT AND INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP FUNCTION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 73,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051555 · 2004-01-02 (January 2, 2004)
REGARDING NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE03058. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE ON MY MERCEDES ML, 320 TODAY. THE VEHICLE HAD 57,435 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS STARTING TO FAIL AND RECOMMENDED IT BE REPLACED OR IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 57,435 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054358 · 2004-01-17 (January 17, 2004)
BELT TENSIONER FAILED AT 73886 MILE,$308.00. HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED @80,772 MILES. LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL ACCESSORIES. REPLACED BELT ,OIL PAN ,TENSIONER(AGAIN),HARMONIC BALANCER,OIL ,OIL SEAL. MERCEDES PAID FOR PARTS. I PAID FOR LABOR $675.00. DID TENSIONER FAIL FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF BALANCER. WAS BALANCER A KNOWN DEFECT? *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 80,772 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054358 at NHTSA ↗