Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | ||||||||||||||||
| 08V465000 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | V (Vehicle) | 125228 | 11/15/2008 | ODI | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 09/17/2008 | 09/16/2008 | ||||||||
| Defect 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 Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| 03V121000 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | from 05/01/1998 to 12/31/2002 | V (Vehicle) | 211000 | 06/16/2003 | ODI | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 03/27/2003 | 04/02/2003 | |||||||
| Defect 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 Summary | The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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 | |||||||||||||||
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | ||||||
| RQ08002 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 03/11/2008 | 09/17/2008 | POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK | 08V465000 | |
| 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 | ||||||
| RQ08002 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 03/11/2008 | 09/17/2008 | POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK | 08V465000 | |
| 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 | ||||||
| RQ08002 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 03/11/2008 | 09/17/2008 | POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK | 08V465000 | |
| 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 date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 10/07/2009 | 117000 | 1 | |
| When trying to turn my vehicle from a parking lot, there was a sudden leakage of power steering fluid and the steering wheel became so hard to turn. the car was not in drivable condition and i towed it to my nearest service station. after diagnosis, power steering hose and clamp were replaced and the car is running good now. later i found that this is a known issue in 1999 mercedes ml 320 and found recall campaign details of this issue in nhtsa website. but when i called mercedes usa to get a reimbursement for the repair cost, they are refusing to give reimbursement for a strange reason. i am still following this issue with them. *tr | |||
| 12/13/2008 | 1 | ||
| My car stopped steering. i could not turn the steering wheel. it occurred on saturday, december 13,2008. i had my car towed to a meineke shop. they discovered that my hose and clamp had to be replaced. i went to my closest merecedes benz service center in greenwich, ct the next week. they completed the repair. i submitted my meineke bill of $50.35 for reimbursement to my salesman, phil boutall. i was told that i would get the refund in a few days. it has now been over 3 months. i have made numerous calls to mr boutall and spoke to him personally as well as left messages. besides empty promises and unreturned voice mails i have not received my reimbursement. *tr | |||
| 12/08/2007 | 120000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz ml320. while driving approximately 40 mph on normal road conditions, the power steering failed without warning. immediately, the driver exerted more effort to turn the steering wheel. there was also excessive power steering fluid leaking. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they discovered nhtsa campaign id number 03v121000 (steering;hydraulic power assist;hose, piping, and connections). the vehicle was repaired for the recall. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. the vehicle is in the process of being taken to an independent mechanic for a second opinion. the failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 127,000. | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 45000 | ||
| I have problems with my check engine light from and faulty oxygen sensor, the car was repaired under warranty. then i had a hose disconnect and lost power steering prior to the recall on the hose cloamp and i paid the towing and repairs myself. now i have had a major mechanical problem and on august 5th, my car lost power steering, air conditioning, the battery light came on and then my car began overheating. apparently the crankshaft broke and it shredded one of the major belts, which damaged the oil pan and water pump. i immediately pulled over and had the car towed 20 miles to the dealer. the bill is going to be $3000. i saw a similar complaint on the nhtsa web site. i am concerned that other consumers may have similar problems and may not be able to pull over safely, not to mention the cost of repairs. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 02/04/2003 | 46600 | 2 | |
| First occurance was leakage 2 months prior, clamp tightened by dealer. 2nd occurence on reported date, started to drive out of parking lot, power steering hose blew off, lost all fluid and power steering assist. | |||
| 10/01/2002 | 115000 | 1 | 10/21/1998 |
| Power steering hose clamps. based on published comments by individuals on various internet chat groups for this truck regarding hydraulic fluid leaks and failures of the power steering hose, i check my hoses and found that the lower hose was about to come off. the clamp, which was loose, was retightened. | |||