The contact owns a 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and other various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that she refilled the power steering reservoir several times and noted that there was a stain underneath her vehicle after parking overnight. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to a closed the federal safety agency Action Number: PE3006 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
1999 Mercedes Benz ML320: sudden loss of power
8 of the 125 complaints about the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320 describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 79,120
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
The harmonic balancer pulley deteriorated on my mercedes ml320. If it had gotten worse, I'm afraid it would have disintegrated and done major engine damage and/or caused loss of power sterring.
The harmonic balancer on my 1999 mercedes ml320 engine type m112 failed and resulted in $4,000 to repair. The part failed with no advanced warning. Even the mercedes dealership who performed the power steering recall two weeks prior to the failure did not spot any problem and they knew to be looking. I was lucky the failure occurred in my driveway backing out of the garage in stead of on the freeway with an immediate loss of power steering or destruction of the engine.
Driver's side power window stuck or stopped while operating. The consumer was informed by the dealer that all four window clusters had to be replaced to correct the problem. Also, lost of power steering fluid. Fluid was leaking from the hoses/clamps and connectors. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak the manufacturer was aware of the problem but did not notify the owners. The consumer was informed by an independent shop. *scc
1999 mercedes benz ml320 - harmonic balancer failure resulting in loss of power steering, overheating, damage to fan, and oil pan.
Based on a dealer reccomendation, I have become aware the mercedes benz has been conducting and unpublicised "campaign" to advise owners of certian of the ml series suvs of the desireability of "upgrading", at the owners expense, the fuel system including filters and lines. This is apparently in response to a number of fuel filter and fuel pump failures, ascribed by mercedes to "poor quality u.s. Fuel" these failures have the effect of immobilizing the car, without warning. These unexpected stoppages cn have very serious saftey implications if they occur in a moving traffic flow situation. Mercedes is well aware of this problem but has not directly informed owners and takes the position that it is not a saftey issue and therefore not subject to a recall. I believe that a documented problem, ascribable to faulty design or materials that can lead to a sudden and unexpected loss of power is a very serious hazard and should be corrected by the manufacturer.
1999 mercedes-benz ml320 SUV. On thursday, december 19, my wife was driving the vehicle when suddenly the "harmonic balancer" failed (became detached), causing a complete loss of power to the vehicle, resulting in a disabled vehicle and leaving my wife and family stranded. The "harmonic balancer" is the main pulley wheel which is attached to the crankshaft. This pulley wheel in turn drives all other belt-driven items, such as power steering pump, AC, alternator, water pump, etc. First, this item should be so resilient that failure is nearly impossible, and second, both the tow truck driver and the dealer who is repairing it stated that this type of failure is "not at all surprising or uncommon" on the mb ml320 SUV. While no injuries or deaths occurred in this case, it seems that if this critical component were to fail at highway speeds, the resulting loss of power could cause a loss of control of the car. I will also add that we have very carefully followed all of the routine maintenance recommended by the manufacturer. If this critical component is subject to failure, a check should be part of the scheduled maintenance. But to be direct, the design of the "harmonic balancer" is faulty, and clearly should be recalled. The repairs are expensive (upwards of $1500) and the results are potentially deadly. Let's not wait for an injury or death to result before some action is taken on this! Ts
While driving about any speed transmission will lose power, usually when shifting speed.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320 loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320?
8 of 125 owner complaints about the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320 (6%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320?
There are 0 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320
Power steering loss 9Fuel pump 7Door locks 5Stalling 5Sudden acceleration 5
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