2003 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V465000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID, IT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE HOSE CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONERY. THIS ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED, I BELIEVE TWICE. DEALER REQUESTED $125 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. MB USA INFORMED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION, THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED OCTOBER 2008 UNDER RECALL, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I SHOULD FIX ON MY OWN COST.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN BREAK OF IDLER ARM PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT SHREDDING OF BELT. PROBLEM IS THE PULLEY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED IN TWO, LEAVING 1/2 THE PULLEY AND SHREDDING THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED AT DRIVING SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MILEAGE AROUND 169,650 ON 2003 ML500. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE LANE NEAREST FREEWAY EXITS. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT. LUCKY IT WAS 'RUSH' HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW ON SURFACE STREETS. INCREDIBLE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO DIFFICULTY TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY GERMAN MECHANIC FAMILIAR WITH REPAIR OF MB ENGINES IN GERMANY.

TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING.

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RESEVIOUR, AND HOSE AFTER LOOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFILLING WITH FLUID ALL THE CONTENTS RAN RIGHT OUT. I DO SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2008, BUT I DID NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 2/15. IS THERE ANY WAY POSSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL?

I HAVE A 2003 ML350 SUV. I BOUGHT MY CAR USED. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS REGARDING STEERING. I HAVE REPLACED ONE RACK AND PIN WHICH I BELIEVE WAS USED. NOW I AM IN NEED OF ANOTHER ONE. *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, WHEN I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE SUV BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT. I SAW AN OIL LEAK WHERE IT HAD BEEN PARKED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY TOYOTA, AND LEFT THE MERCEDES PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE LARGE OIL LEAK CONCERNED ME.I SPOKE TO A MERCEDES MECHANIC AND DESCRIBED WHAT I HAD HEARD, AND HE SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A STEERING PROBLEM. I CHECKED ONLINE AND NOTICED THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP FOR ML 350 MODELS YEARS 2003 +. IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL OIL LEAKS OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE RECALL IS STILL VALID? DOES THE MERCEDES DEALER STILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE HOSE AND CLAMP? WHAT IF THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THESE PARTS, THEN WHAT DO I SAY OR DO? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

MY 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE, RICHARDHULL@PHILSMART.COM, 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: 206.340.5959, FAX: 206.654.7119) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEMS, FOUND THAT 'VERIFIED NOISE, INSTALLED ELECTRONIC EARS, TO ISOLATE NOISE FOUND NOISE FROM INSIDE OF STEERING PACK ASSEMBLY,' AND INSPECTION FEE WAS $152.60, SUGGESTING REPAIR WAS TO REPLACING THE GEARING (RACK) AND COST ESTIMATED $2,252.02, AND JOHN SHEPARD TOLD ME THAT 'AS I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WERE AWARE THAT AN OFFER OF 50% PARTS AND LABOR IS ON THE TABLE? I HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO THAT, SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED TODAY, THE OFFER STILL STANDS. THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE RACK AND IT WOULD CARRY A ONE YEAR UNLIMITED MILE WARRANTY. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A FAIR OFFER AND HOPE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. I AM SORRY THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WOULD LOVE TO HELP GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.' BY FEBRUARY, I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL FROM ALAN MCLAREN (V.P. CUSTOMER SERVICE OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC; ONE MERCEDES DRIVE, PO BOX 350 MONTVALE, NJ 07645, TEL: 1-800-367-6372, FAX: 201-476-6211), THEN I SEND MY VEHICLE TO JOHN SHEPARD (PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE), WAS TOLD THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN RESOLVED, NO NEED TO REPAIR, NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT INSPECTION FEE $ 152.60, WHICH CAUSE MY DEEP CONCERN THAT THIS MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND DEFECT MY VEHICLE SAFETY IN THE FUTURE. *TR

RE: NHTSA SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005 VEHICLE INFORMATION: 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ODI#10261473 MY ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER, 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: 206.340.5959) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEMS, FOUND THAT 'VERIFIED NOISE, INSTALLED ELECTRONIC EARS, TO ISOLATE NOISE FOUND NOISE FROM INSIDE OF STEERING PACK ASSEMBLY,' AND INSPECTION FEE WAS $152.60, SUGGESTING REPAIR WAS TO REPLACING THE GEARING (RACK) AND COST ESTIMATED $2,252.02. BY FEBRUARY, I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL FROM ALAN MCLAREN (V.P. CUSTOMER SERVICE OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC; ONE MERCEDES DRIVE, PO BOX 350 MONTVALE, NJ 07645, TEL: 1-800-367-6372, FAX: 201-476-6211), THEN I SEND MY VEHICLE TO JOHN SHEPARD (PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE), WAS TOLD THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN RESOLVED, NO NEED TO REPAIR, NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT INSPECTION FEE $ 152.60(EVEN IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE SAYS 'IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS RECALL CONDITION CORRECTED PRIOR TO THIS NOTICE YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT), WHICH CAUSE MY DEEP CONCERN THAT THIS MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND DEFECT MY VEHICLE SAFETY IN THE FUTURE. AFTER I FILED A COMPLAINT 03/05/2009 TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION FOR NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND ALAN J. MCLAREN (VICE PRESIDENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, MERCEDES BENZ USA, LLC), I RECEIVED A CALL FROM ROBERT (201-476-6200,201-476-6326) WHO WAS SO CALL 'ASSISTANT TO EXECUTIVE FOR MERCEDES BENZ USA 04/02/2009, ROBERT SAID HE WILL PROBE THIS MATTER AND GET BACK TO ME NEXT MONDAY, SO FAR THREE WEEKS PASSED, I HAVE TOLERANTLY WAITED YET NO REPLY FROM ROBERT. *TR

I HAD TAKEN MY MERCEDES ML320 IN FOR RECALL WORK #2003040005 AT MOTOR WORKS IN HOFFMAN ESTATES IL. FOR POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX. $6,000.00 FOR THIS SERVICE WHICH SHOULD BE FREE. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES AND MOTOR WORKS WITH NO RESPONSE THE CLAMPS THAT CONNECT THE POWER STEERING HOSES COME OFF QUITE OFTEN RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, I GUESS I SHOULDN'T EXPECT MUCH FOR A $40,000.00 CAR!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW HOSE CLAMP AT THE COST OF $259. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. SHE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN UPDATED 03/10/09.*JB

I PAID MY DEALER FOR A REPAIR OF A COMPONENT THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. HOW DO I GET A REFUND OR CREDIT FOR THE EXPENSE. I HAVE ML 500 MERCEDES BENZ 2003. MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT THE WHITE PLAINS N.Y. DEALERSHIP. *TR

BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 01/2008 AFTER A MONTH OR TWO I STARTED TO FILL RESERVOIR WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AS NEEDED WHICH IS OFTEN. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ REGARDING THE RECALL BUT DENIED MY REQUEST. THANKS *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES ML 320 THAT HAS POWER STEERING FLUID PROBLEMS. THIS IS DUE TO A RECALL ISSUED BY MB FOR FAULTY HOSING, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. I HAD LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY WHILE DRIVING WHICH LEAD ME TO STEER OFF THE ROAD DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT EXITED AN OFFRAMP AT 10 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND LATER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND ONE OF THE O-RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

CAR MAKES A "WASHING MACHINE" TYPE NOSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MERCEDES DEALER EVALUATED AND FOUND THE STEERING GEAR BOX/RACK & PINION IS "WORN" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PART THEY DID ADD A LUBRICANT TO POWER STEERING FLUID TO "ELIMINATE" THE NOISE (WHICH IS STILL THERE PRESENTLY). WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO REPLACE RACK & PINION BECAUSE THEY STATE PART IS STILL FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. HOWEVER, IF PART COMPLETELY FAILS AND THE STEERING GOES OUT, I COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY. *TR

IN REGARDING TO SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005: 1. HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION. 2. ITS CONSEQUENCES: A. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING B. VALVE COVERS LEAKING 3. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKETS. TOTAL CHARGES WERE $1,544.62 ($775.40 FOR PARTS, THE REST WAS FOR LABOR). SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005 LETTER STATES THAT "IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS RECALL CONDITION CORRECTED PRIOR TO THIS NOTICE YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT". I PRESENTED THIS CASE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE BUT THEY DENIED MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD RECEIVE THE REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENT TO SUPPORT THIS CASE. PLEASE HELP US TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH GOING AROUND A CURVE THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND THEN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL #03V121000 FOR THE STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 2003 FOR THE HOSE CLAMPS. *NM CONTACT WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES THAT THIS FAILURE DID NOT INVOLVE THE CLAMP BUT THE HOSE WORE OUT. ALSO, WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING FAILURE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MECHANIC WHO HAD SERVICED THE VEHICLE 2 DAYS PRIOR. IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED, AND THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CURRENT CLAMP/ HOSE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THE CONTACT PICKUP THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER NOTICED A CHARGE FOR REPLACING THE STEERING HOSE CLAMP AND LOWER HOSE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY A BILLING CODE FOR THE WORK DONE BY THE MECHANIC. THE NEW CLAMP WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. SIMPSON MERCEDES REIMBURSED THE CONTACT WITH $1,950.00 BECAUSE IT WAS FELT THIS SHOULD NOT HAV EHAPPENED. CONTACT UNEASY ABOUT THE STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

STEERING IS MAKING A WHEEZING NOISE AND IT FEELS HARD TO STEER COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. ENGINE FELLS LIKE STALLING AFTER HITTING BRAKES; ENGINE IS SHAKING ON THE DRIVE MODE WHEN YOU ARE NOT MOVING AND ON BRAKE MODE; MORE THAN 10 TIMES, WILL TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON. *NM