Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
TB-46-20-6104/22/200810025648Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both directions on all model 164 and 251 vehicles. model years unknown. *pe08/27/2008
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
46304104/26/200610019967Flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir. on mercedes benz ml and r class models. *ak05/17/2006
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
46204612/04/2008SB-46-20-46A10020460Play in the rack and pinion steering system. models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09. *pe10/23/2006

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
12/20/200893000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz ml430. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 08v465000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). the dealer stated that the power steering pump was previously damaged to a loss of power steering fluid over time. the power steering pump would cost $1,050 to repair. the vehicle has not been repaired. the manufacturer did not assist. the failure and current mileages were 93,000.
10/30/2008186000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz ml430. immediately after starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a loud noise coming from the hood while driving 5 mph. the steering column became difficult to turn. approximately ten minutes later, the steering began working again however, he still felt resistance when turning. in addition, the noise persisted. the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number 08v465000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections) and was advised to wait for the recall notice. the dealer performed the recall repair and stated that the hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. after the repair, the failure persisted. the contact has invoices to support his complaint. the vehicle has not been repaired. the current mileage was 188,200 and failure mileage was 186,000.
1
 Parts for the steering recall is not available after making an appointment. # 203-04-005. *ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID
02/05/2003630001
 The vehicle lost all power steering, which almost caused consumer to lose control of the vehicle. *jb the power steering hose was leaking at the clamp, and was replaced. *scc
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
10/23/200383353101/23/1999
 The harmonic balancer on the crankshaft of my mercedes ml430 vin# 4jgab72e7xa09375 failed w/o warning causing the fan belt to fail and the balancer started cutting a hole in the oil pan. this failure just by luck did not cause a moving accident due to loss of electrical and power steering, or an under the hood fire. this cost me $500 to get fixed when a $70 part could have been replaced if i had only been notified of this frequent failure on mercedes models like mine. the dealer was little help in solving this problem.*ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - DRAG - POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
10/13/200378000107/24/2003
 Mercedes benz 1999 ml 430. harmonic balancer failed. driving 65+ on the mass. pike, the power steering failed, and then the engine begin to overheat. the vehicle had to be wrestled from the left lane, across 3 very busy lanes of traffic to the side of the highway. the state police were called and the vehicle was towed. i later learned that the crank shaft pulley had broken apart and caused a chain reaction of failures ultimately leading to the above. * cb