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1. open the driver side dooor
2. press the left switch
3. turn the key to I or II for oil level.
Also, to set the clock...
Pull the right knob and turn left for the hour and right for the minute.
Nope, both didn't work. Is this a common problem on MLs? Mine is still under warrenty, but kindda afraid to let the shop to do such a delicate fix. I may end up with lots of rattles after putting in a new instrument panal.
Also, lots of condensation inside driver side headlamp, anybody w/same problem? Other than that I love it, except for the auto volume control on the stereo.
1.The brakes have had to be replaced
2. The power steering line has ruptured WHILE DRIVING
3. The hatch back door wouldn't lock, resulting in it flying open while driving
4. After the hatch was fixed, none of the doors would lock
5. The BAS, ETS lights continually going on
6. The CD player has had to be replaced
7. A plastic panel on the drivers seat fell off and was replaced
8.After backing out of a parking space, when you turn the steering wheel back into driving position, there is a very loud noise ( the car noise has drawn attention of pedestrians in parking lots) The MB dealership still can't figure this one out.
9. Yesterday the brake warning light just came on
With the newest warning light coming on, I had decided to try taking it to a MB dealer in a larger city to be fixed. I started having my doubts about the mechanics at our local dealer. But today I stumble onto this message forum and realize that lots of other owners are having the same problems!
This car is fun to drive, comfortable on long trips, and handles great in the snow. I hate to get rid of it, but when my warranty expires I can't afford to repair this car.
When I first noticed these chips they were like water spots. These water spots slowly bubble up and crack open. I can see all the way to the metal now. Dealership claimed that only way to take care of this is to paint the hood (hood was the first place where paint started bubbling)and this will be covered under warranty. So I agreed for a hood paint job since this was my only choice. Car came back looking really good. 2-3 days later, believe or not the spots came back and eventually paint starting chipping again. This time on the fenders as well.
Has anyone experienced this sort of a paint problem?
Dealer says they have not seen anything like this before? I will post the rest of this nightmare under "Dealer & Service". You won't believe what I'm going through right now. Thanks to the Lemon Law, I'm pretty close to qualifying for it. I love the car, I HATE this dealership.
Bora
On the condensation issue, I have had it on both turn signal glass (integrated into outside mirrors) and both rear tail lamps. Both sets were replaced under warranty. Take her in!!!
BUNCH OF THANKS!
How long do you plan to keep the car? I have a 99 model 320 with 52K miles. It is out of warranty now. Had three problems so far all covered by warrnanty. Drivers side power window switch failed.. replaced. Odometer bulb fused.. replaced. Hard downshifting when slowing down. Few items replaced. Besides that I never really got the chance to use the warranty. If you can get a good deal on the warranty buy it. You don't have to get it from the same dealer. Shop around. I think you have upto a year to buy it. It also adds to the re-sale.
THANKS!
If anyone has any information I would appreciate the feedback. Thanks a bunch
Neil
neilg432@cox.net
Thanks 4 response. Took it in, it was rear hatch locking latch (replaced, lubed), headlite assy. replaced as well, had the auto volume control disabled (all warranty). Contemporary Motor Cars in Little Silver, NJ, great place!!!!
I just got a brand new ML 320. IT IS AN IMPRESSIVE CAR. The only thing I am concerned at this point is the power of 3.2 engine. I traded in a 01 nissan pathfinder with 240 hp. Even if the ML is 500 lb heavier I still think that the car needs little bit more. Do you think that MERCEDES-BENZ factory has a kit to improve the HP or what can I do to enhance the power from 215 to 230,240 hp. Cordially.
I am about to pick up my new ML320 this Saturday from the dealer. Has anyone bought a new one recently? Any suggestions as to what I can expect?
Also has anyone got an extended Warranty from HERITAGE? IS is the only other warranty besides STARMARK that the Mercedes dealer honors. Any experiences?
thanks all
This is my first message here.
I purchased a new 03'ML320 in October. The salesman was very nice. But the second day my son found the third braking light was not on, and the lift gate didn't lock. The dealer fixed it for me right way and explained to me both problems were due to "loose connection". My question is "are the airbags also loose connected ? How do I know they are well connected. Did any body have the same problem ?
Tks
My 98 ML has been a dependable SUV until 1 month ago. It would not start just cranked but no pop. After about 20 minutes it finally started. Took it to the dealer they said could not find anything wrong. Week later same thing, but this time interior lights an alarm indicator was flashing. Dealer replaced some sensor ($200). Two days later same thing, New key. A day later same thing, new sensor(updated one). Two days later something different, died on the highway, than same scenario. Towed to dealer, "we can't find anything" but they suggest replacing the fuel pump and some other sensor($1000), but they are not sure this will fix this gremlin. The SUV has 68k miles on it and I'm out of warranty. Any body have some answers that can help me. Don't suggest trading it in. They only want to give me 15 thousand for it. One other note every time I had the car serviced there was a $2.50 charge for window washer fluid. So I got smart and topped it off before I brought it in, and guess what? a $2.50 charge for the fluid again. I brought this to there attention. boy did they have a red face! THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT.
My advice is, to save yourself lots of $$$ and headaches, go buy yourself a Kia Sportage and tape a Mercedes star to the front of it. You will then have the Mercedes ML "look" on a vehicle that will run a good portion of the time, and for maybe a third of the cost.
Best of luck.
Brake lights kept malfunctioning (saw others on this board with same problem). Took three visits to fix.
Like others on this board, had funny noise in power steering. Took to dealer twice and they couldn't find anything, made me feel really stupid.
Seat belt buckle replaced every time I had it serviced at dealership (I was never advised of this until afterward each time; it was involved in a recall, but how many times does it need to be replaced?).
Very loud squeaky rear end when going over bumps. Shocks replaced 3 times before 50,000 miles.
Drivers window power switch quit; replaced.
Heater varies wildly as to how much heat comes out. Hard to adjust for even temp.
Gas line disconnected TWICE while driving!!! First time almost was plowed into from behind by semi-truck going 70 mph on major interstate during rush hour - really thought my daughter and I were a goner. Obviously wasn't fixed properly and it happened again. When trying to get help from Roadside Assistance that first time, was told by the dealership that they referred me to that, "Do you have AAA? I would call them and have them tow you back to our place." !!!!!!!!!
Cup holder came out.
Key does not want to turn more times than not.
Integral phone I had installed when I got the ML320 was analog - now obsolete.
Paint peeled off front bumper. Was told by 3 independent shops that it most likely was a defective paint job; my dealer told me it was because of stone chips. Very badly stone-chipped on front hood; I agree it seems prone to this.
One week before putting into storage, the air conditioner quit.
Got absolutely no consideration when I complained to Mercedes. One of the regional managers contacted me and insinuated that I was not properly doing the maintenance since I had regular servicing done locally (MB dealer was too far away (and too expensive!)for routine servicing). I have written a 5 page complaint letter to Mercedes detailing the problems I have had with this vehicle. My experiences with this company have turned me off forever as to ever owning another Mercedes anything!
PS (Made a major mistake in leasing this vehicle. At end of 54 months, the buyout is $28,000+, and when I looked at Kelly Blue Book I could only expect to sell it privately for around $17,000. Bad reports on this vehicle have really hurt the values.)
I think you are lucky to have leased the ML since you can just turn it in. If you had purchased you'd be stuck with a greater depreciation if you wanted out.
The question is, has anyone seen an independent confirmation on the improvement in quality for the 2002's or 2003's?
As to pricing - my local dealer is of course trying to get me to purchase either a 2002 320 or a 2003 320 to get them off his lot and have just 2003 350's. He is offering a whopping 2 to 2,500 off sticker for each. Shouldn't there be a bigger discount on a 2002 being purchased in January 2003? Is $2k a decent discount off a 2003 320, or should I do more shopping. I am in Des Moines and would need to travel to Mpls, Kansas City, Chicago to find additional dealers.
Thanks for any replies.
mvhanson
For all those looking to purchase the ML320 - take your cues from us poor suckers and steer clear!!!
Thanks for any feedback.
The dealer replaced the CD unit and now its worse. Anyone having similar problems?
Thanks in advance for any help
i think the x5 warranty you were talking about is the "wear and tear" warranty. BMW covers pretty much everything, including break pads in the first 3 or 4 yrs.
SERIOUS SAFETY WARNING FOR ALL ML OWNERS
My wife and family barely escaped serious injury several days ago when the power steering failed while on the freeway. Fortunately, she was on a straight freeway section, but the failure occurred during traffic and she changed several lanes involuntarily and ended up in the median. Vehicle is a 2001 ML-430 with 32.5K miles.
After giving up on TeleAid (do they have more then one employee?), I tried to muscle the car home and was amazed at the difficulty in steering.
When the steering fails - and it fails very fast - the car cannot be controlled by a 5'2", 90lb female!!! I can bench-press well into the 200's (even at my age) and I could not control the vehicle.
I reported this to 800-Call-Merc the following morning as well as to my local dealer. While both were polite and apologetic, neither really seemed to be concerned about safety issue. I was astonished. My entire family could have been killed.
Someone will be killed or seriously injured under this failure scenario. Don't let it be you or your family. I'm reporting it here for your safety.
My wife said that she heard a noise like a high-performance motorcycle and was looking for it in the rear-view when the steering just "disappeared". Apparently, this was the power steering pump failing. You've got about three seconds after you hear that sound to get your life in order.
I'm not comfortable trusting my family in an ML any more. The reliability of this vehicle has been abysmal. However, I draw the line with my family's safety. This is a severe safety flaw, and Mercedes does not appear to care. Someone else will own this car by the weekend.
Be safe & good luck!
Joel King
San Antonio, Texas.
Models: M CLASS
Years: 1998-2003
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 03V121000
Recall Date: MAR 26, 2003
Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Potential Number Of Units Affected: 211000
Summary:
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.
Consequence:
THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING
OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.
Remedy:
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. MERCEDES-BENZ
HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. 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.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).