Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2000 Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
NHTSA campaign 11V208000 · reported March 31, 2011 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 136,751 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to reach a certain rate of deceleration. Mercedes-benz has determined that under certain circumstances use of the brake pedal may not automatically disengage cruise control as expected by the driver, although the other means of deactivating cruise control remain fully operative. Specifically, where the driver pumps the brakes rather than applying consistent pedal force, the level of force required may be unusually high.
- The risk
- Difficulty or delay in disengaging cruise control can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began during october 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering: hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections
NHTSA campaign 08V465000 · reported September 17, 2008 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 125,228 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- The risk
- The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump. This could result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
- The fix
- An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles may not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (please see 03v121). Since it is not possible through inspection to identify specific vehicles that may not have been properly repaired, all vehicles repaired prior to november 15, 2003, will be repaired again. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering: hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections
NHTSA campaign 03V121000 · reported March 27, 2003 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 211,000 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- The risk
- The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler. During clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary. Owner notification began june 16, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Seat belts
NHTSA campaign 00V352000 · reported October 30, 2000 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 16,246 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belt anchor in the rear folding middle seating position may have been manufactured with out-of-tolerance hardware.
- The risk
- If this is the case, the seat belt anchor may not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
- The fix
- Dealers will install an additional rear middle seat belt anchor plate.
Seat belts: front, warning light/devices
NHTSA campaign 00V203000 · reported July 26, 2000 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 4,354 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." an audible seat belt buzzer warning sounds for approximately two seconds when the vehicle ignition is turned to the on or start position and the driver seat belt is fastened. This buzzer activation exceeds the limitations set forth in the standard.
- The risk
- Drivers may become confused regarding the purpose of the chime.
- The fix
- Dealers will repair the seat belt warning chime system.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
May 26, 2012 · Service brakes · 67,600 miles
AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AS OFF THE FROM RIGHT BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED ON ITS OWN. TURNED THE ESP (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) OFF AND PROCEEDED AND THE EVENT HAPPENED AGAIN, CAR JERKED TO LEFT AND HEADED TO DITCH BUT WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME WITH STEERING WHEEL. IT APPEARS A CAR SYSTEM FAILED…
Jun 16, 2011 · Vehicle speed control · 138,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL IN ACTIVATION. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE. SUDDENLY THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO…
Feb 3, 2011 · Electronic stability control (ESC) · 160,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 ML320 MERCEDES, THE CAR SUDDENLY APPLIES BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE BAS/ESP WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION AND SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE MERCEDES ADDRESS THIS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED! IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT WILL AMAZE…
Aug 9, 2010 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 116,885 miles
I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 430 AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS BEING DISPLAYED IT ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD NOT BEEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE THEN SKIDDED, STOPPED, SKIDDED AGAIN AND STOPPED. THIS WENT ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 45-60 SECONDS THEN THE BAS ESP MALFUNCTION LIGHT…
Nov 23, 2009 · Service brakes, electric · 120,000 miles
THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CAN TAKE OVER THROTTLE AND BRAKING. VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY BRAKES TO VARIOUS WHEELS. IT WILL PITCH THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT AND REQUIRE DRIVER TO COUNTER STEER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THERE IS NO WARNING ON WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT OR CAUSE VEHICLE TO SPIN…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 26, 2012.