Mercedes Benz M Class power steering loss problems

Filed Jan 24, 2014 · Steering · 70,000 miles · MA

I have same problem with my car and my model is not effected with this recall recall number: 05v224000 dates manufactured: jan 0001 to jan 0001 number of vehicles affected: 7191 date owners notified on: jan 0001 on certain passenger vehicles, a hose clamp that secures the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection. Consequence of defect: a loss of power steering fluid can damage the power steering pump and may result in diminished power assist for steering which could lead to a crash. Corrective action: dealers will replace the power steering hose clamp free of charge. The recall began on may 17, 2005. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367.

Filed Nov 3, 2010 · Fuel system · 42,000 miles · FL

While driving in moderate traffic engine stopped. Driver (not me) was very scared and said an accident almost occurred as she maneuvered to breakdown lane without power and no power steering. Second occurrence of sudden engine stoppage while driving with loss of engine power and power steering in this vehicle. Fuel pump had been previously replaced.

Filed Jan 20, 2009 · Steering · 120,000 miles · TN

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Steering · 140,000 miles · TX

Power steering leaking loss of steering took to dealership. Advise not aware of recall. Car was repaired in 2003 due to the same issue under another recall. Finally replace hose, but power steering continues to leak.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Steering · 24,368 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 30 MPH going around a curve the steering became difficult and then locked. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for inspection and determined there was the federal safety agency recall #03v121000 for the steering hydraulic power assist hose, piping and connections. The hose clamp on the power steering hose was replaced. Updated 5/2/2006 - the vehicle had been recalled and replaced in 2003 for the hose clamps. *nm contact was told by mercedes that this failure did not involve the clamp but the hose wore out. Also, was told that the steering failure had nothing to do with the mechanic who had serviced the vehicle 2 days prior. It was just something that happened, and that there are no problems with the current clamp/ hose in the steering column. When the contact pickup the vehicle from dealer noticed a charge for replacing the steering hose clamp and lower hose. The contact was told it was only a billing code for the work done by the mechanic. The new clamp was also defective. Simpson mercedes reimbursed the contact with $1,950.00 because it was felt this should not hav ehappened. Contact uneasy about the steering in the vehicle.

Filed Aug 25, 2005 · Engine · 84,000 miles · PA

I was driving across the verrazano narrows bridge from brooklyn to staten island. Just past the tolls, my harmonic balancer failed, causing the serpentine belt to sizes and stopping the engine. Consequently, I lost steering and braking became very hard. I was more-or-less pointing to an shoulder/embankment between the main highway and the exit immediately past the tolls. I coasted to that embankment and used its slope in part to help stop the vehicle. I was subsequently towed to ray catena mercedes in edison, nj. I was informed by the service advisor there (mr. Hessert) that this failure was part of a "campaign" and that it would be repaired along with any collateral damage "for free" by mercedes. I asked "since when" was this campaign in effect, they stated since april of 2005. I asked why I was not notified of this as I am the registered owner. We both together then called mercedes customer service and were informed that there was no 'notice' and that this was not a formal recall. Had this failure happened 40 minutes earlier while I was on the long island expressway, or 10 minutes later when I would have been on the goethals bridge, I would have been at the very least severely injured if not dead not to mention any other vehicles and individuals who would inevitably been involved. I am told that the _defective_ harmonic balancer will be replaced along with the serpentine belt and the "upper oil pan" as that part was damaged during the failure. I will request that these parts be retained.

Filed Sep 3, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 37,400 miles · CA

No power steering while driving which is hard to steer that might cause into an accident. The harmonic balancer failed.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 45,000 miles · CO

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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Steering · 17,000 miles · CA

A year ago I was turning a corner in my mercedes ml320 when the steering wheel "locked." it had lost the power steering fluid and for me, the wheel was impossible to turn. I was told there was a problem with the clamp. It was under warrenty and repaired at simonson mercedes, 1626 wilshire blvd, santa monica , ca 90403. One month and one thousand miles later the same thing happened. This time I was told that mercedes had sent a modified clamp to correct a problem with the origional hose clamp. April 20, 2003, at 30,000 miles the power steering failed again. I had it towed into simonson on april 21, 2003 and have refused to pick it up even though it has been "repaired." I told the manager that I felt this was a life threatening defect that they had not been able to fix twice in the past. I asked them to buy back the vehicle and was told someone from mercedes higher up would contact me.

Filed Dec 25, 2003 · Steering · 36,200 miles · VA

Third time for steering loss - 3. Power steering hose fell off, draining all the fluid, causing loss of steering abilities, and almost caused a serious accident. 2. Two months earlier, power steering hose clamp came loose,loss of fluid and steering, and almost caused a serious accident. 1. And, six months prior to the second incident, power steering hose clamp fell off, loss of fluid and steering, and almost caused a serious accident. Dealership has so far replaced the power steering clamp twice and the hose once.