Mercedes Benz M Class 1998

Model M Class made in 1998 by Mercedes Benz got 6 consumer complains, 4 investigations there are 4 recalls as well as 5 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to engine and engine cooling, power train and steering. Technical service bulletines regarding air bags, electrical system and seats. The car had some investigations: engine and engine cooling, steering. There were some recalls concerningequipment, seat belts and steering.

Model 1998

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS
98V090000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.from 04/01/1998 to 04/30/1998V (Vehicle)4206/15/1998MFRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.05/04/199805/06/1998567
Defect SummaryVehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the certification label on these vehicles fail to comply with the labeling requirements of part 567, certification.
Consequence SummaryThe rear gross axle weight rating was listed as 3257 lb. instead of 3527 lb. and the tire size was listed as 276 rather than 275. a consumer could incorrectly inflate the tires or improperly load the vehicle.
Corrective SummaryDealers will send a representative to the owner's home and remove the non-compliance label and replace this with a label which is in compliance.
NotesOwner notification is expected to begin during june 1998.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free replacement label 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).
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - ANCHORAGE
99V328000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.from 01/01/1997 to 11/30/1999V (Vehicle)8597012/29/2000MFRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.11/22/199911/29/1999
Defect SummaryVehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly. if the plastic cover is loose during the engagement of the buckle tongue to the latch mechanism, the buckle could unlatch.
Consequence SummaryIn the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect the seat belt buckles. if either the driver or front passenger seat belt buckle is found to be defective, it will be replaced.
NotesOwner notification began december 29, 1999.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).
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
08V465000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. V (Vehicle)12522811/15/2008ODIMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.09/17/200809/16/2008
Defect SummaryMercedes-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 SummaryThe 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.
Corrective SummaryAn 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.
NotesMercedes-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.
03V121000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.from 05/01/1998 to 12/31/2002V (Vehicle)21100006/16/2003ODIMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.03/27/200304/02/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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 SummaryThe loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesMercedes-benz recall no. 2003-040005.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
AIR BAGS
07802/04/1999605370Subject regarding srs control unit programming. *tt06/09/1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
42456205/16/2005424562A10016685Esp lamp illuminated. *tt09/27/2005
26M99211/05/1999612169Some customers may complain of poor am / electrical interference on am. *tt06/06/2000
SEATS
TSIMBNA913608/01/1998603617Information on third row seat kit installation procedure. *yc02/26/1999
STRUCTURE - BODY
TSIMBNA913608/01/1998603617Information on third row seat kit installation procedure. *yc02/26/1999

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
PE03058MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.12/17/200304/22/2004ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
 The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all mercedes-benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures are progressive in nature and only a small percentage of the complaints and warrant claims involved a failure that had progressed far enough to effect power steering performance (6 of 55 odi complaints reference increased steering effort).there have been no crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see summary report attached for further detail.
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
RQ08002MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.03/11/200809/17/2008POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK08V465000
 Mercedes-benz usa (mbusa) will notify certain model year (my) 1998 through 2003 m-class owners of the need to bring their vehicles into dealers to address the issue previously campaigned under mbusa recall 2003-040005 (nhtsa recall 03v-121).the mbusa campaign, which odi is designating recall 08v-465, will replace the power steering cooler hose and clamp in all vehicles that received the original recall remedy for 03v-121 and which haven't received a subsequent repair to install a revised hose and clamp.approximately one-third of the vehicles that received the original repair procedure and parts returned for subsequent service for leakage from the hose fitting and, in approximately 10 percent of these vehicles, complete separation of the hose from the cooler.a revised service procedure for 03v-121, which involved replacing the old hose and clamp with modified parts, had significantly lower rates of return repairs.mbusa will apply the revised service procedure from 03v-121 to the vehicles covered under 08v-465.accordingly this recall query is closed.
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID
RQ08002MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.03/11/200809/17/2008POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK08V465000
 Mercedes-benz usa (mbusa) will notify certain model year (my) 1998 through 2003 m-class owners of the need to bring their vehicles into dealers to address the issue previously campaigned under mbusa recall 2003-040005 (nhtsa recall 03v-121).the mbusa campaign, which odi is designating recall 08v-465, will replace the power steering cooler hose and clamp in all vehicles that received the original recall remedy for 03v-121 and which haven't received a subsequent repair to install a revised hose and clamp.approximately one-third of the vehicles that received the original repair procedure and parts returned for subsequent service for leakage from the hose fitting and, in approximately 10 percent of these vehicles, complete separation of the hose from the cooler.a revised service procedure for 03v-121, which involved replacing the old hose and clamp with modified parts, had significantly lower rates of return repairs.mbusa will apply the revised service procedure from 03v-121 to the vehicles covered under 08v-465.accordingly this recall query is closed.
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
RQ08002MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.03/11/200809/17/2008POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK08V465000
 Mercedes-benz usa (mbusa) will notify certain model year (my) 1998 through 2003 m-class owners of the need to bring their vehicles into dealers to address the issue previously campaigned under mbusa recall 2003-040005 (nhtsa recall 03v-121).the mbusa campaign, which odi is designating recall 08v-465, will replace the power steering cooler hose and clamp in all vehicles that received the original recall remedy for 03v-121 and which haven't received a subsequent repair to install a revised hose and clamp.approximately one-third of the vehicles that received the original repair procedure and parts returned for subsequent service for leakage from the hose fitting and, in approximately 10 percent of these vehicles, complete separation of the hose from the cooler.a revised service procedure for 03v-121, which involved replacing the old hose and clamp with modified parts, had significantly lower rates of return repairs.mbusa will apply the revised service procedure from 03v-121 to the vehicles covered under 08v-465.accordingly this recall query is closed.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
08/29/2004374002
 No power steering while driving which is hard to steer that might cause into an accident. the harmonic balancer failed. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
03/15/2004112/01/2003
 The crankshaft harmonic balancer pulley of my mercedes ml 320 gave out on me while i was driving. the belt started to burn. i called the mercedes benz dealer in honolulu, hi and the service manager, dan told me that there was no recall on the pulley to date and that i should bring my ml 320 in to get repaired. dan stated that the pulley may not be the only part that is damaged and that the cost could probably go up in price. i stated that i had a mechanic looked at it and said that nothing else was damaged. dan insisted that there were probably internal damages. at that point, i decided to just purchase the part and have my mechanic fix my car because my mechanic looked at my car thoroughy and i felt that the manager just wanted to have me bring in my car in for the repair(s) which would have probably cost me a lot of money. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
09/15/1998677001
 While pulling into a parking spot in a shopping center and going about 5 miles per hour, suddenly the accelerator went to the floor and i crashed into 2 cars. luckily, i was not hurt and the damage to the 3 cars was slight bumper damage. i called the police and made a report. i brought it to the garage the next day to have the checked and no problems were found. the next day i went on the internet the check for similar occurrences and found several. my car was a mercedes benz ml320 suv. *tr
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
08/29/2004374002
 No power steering while driving which is hard to steer that might cause into an accident. the harmonic balancer failed. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
207/01/1998
 Rear door lock failed. yh
STRUCTURE - BODY - ROOF AND PILLARS
12/29/2002110000102/05/1998
 On december 29th while traveling with my family on i-77 north in virginia the metal sunroof wind deflector on my 1998 mercedes ml320 completely and without warning broke off and flew into the path of several automobiles. a major traffic accident was narrowly avoided. my ml320 is well maintained and only serviced by the dealer whom sold me the car.

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
NCRALEIGH27616LEITH, INC.919-876-5432