2000 Mercedes Benz M Class recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
5 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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…
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 M CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V208000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-367-6372.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
Summary: 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.
Consequence: DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 2011090001. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: 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 T…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 M CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08V465000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-367-6372.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2003040005. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
3. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: DRIVERS MAY BECOME CONFUSED REGARDING THE PURPOSE OF THE CHIME.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SYSTEM.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 M CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V203000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Summary: 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.
Consequence: DRIVERS MAY BECOME CONFUSED REGARDING THE PURPOSE OF THE CHIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SYSTEM.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 17, 2000. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
4. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR IN THE REAR FOLDING MIDDLE SEATING POSITION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH OUT-OF-TOLERANCE HARDWARE.
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 M CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V352000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR IN THE REAR FOLDING MIDDLE SEATING POSITION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH OUT-OF-TOLERANCE HARDWARE.
Consequence: IF THIS IS THE CASE, THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 17, 2000. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
5. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: 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 SERV…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 M CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V121000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-367-6372.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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. 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.
Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2003-040005. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2000 Mercedes Benz M Class owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (8), Steering (8), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (6), Hydraulic (6), Vehicle Speed Control (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/26/2012 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)
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 CRASH RATHER THAN FAIL SAFE. *TR
06/16/2011 · Vehicle Speed Control
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 NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK, WHICH BROUGHT THE…
02/03/2011 · Brakes
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 YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED T…
08/09/2010 · Brakes
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 CAME ON. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE V…
11/23/2009 · Brakes
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. MERCEDES DEALER SERVICE MANAGER…
11/03/2009 · Brakes
2000 ML-CLASS MERCEDES ML55 LEAKING BRAKE LINE DUE TO CHAFFING AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR INVESTIGATION OF 52,000 ML-CLASS MERCEDES SUV'S. THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS PUMP SUFFERS EVENTUAL FAILURE DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST A POORLY POSITIONED FUEL LINE. SUFFERED NEAR TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM THIS MORNING DUE TO THIS ISSUE.…
05/20/2009 · Brakes
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WHEN COMING TO A TRAFFIC STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2000 MERCEDES ML55 WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AFTER REAPPLYING THE BRAKE AND PUSHING VERY HARD. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW, PUT SOME FLUID IN…
03/26/2009 · Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING). AFTER THE REPAIR, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK, HE…