2001 Mercedes Benz ML320: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Apr 9, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 112,750 miles · OR

While driving at 50 MPH, vehicle lights started flashing (warning for esp and ABS) and the vehicle slowed dramatically and pulled to the right... I got to the side of the road and assumed I had a blow out... But all tires were fine and no issues... Turned off vehicle and drove about 13 miles then turned vehicle off for 10 -15 minutes came out and got in vehicle... When I started to go... Orange triangle was still on and if I even touched brakes they all locked up and would even squeal when even touching brake petal. It was 79 degrees, dry on a highway that was a smooth road, in traffic and was almost hit. Updated 05/11/16

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz ml320. While driving 5 MPH, the brakes applied independently and the ABS light illuminated. The failure occurred randomly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Updated 05/11/16*lj

Filed Jan 28, 2016 · Brakes · 165,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz ml320. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes seized and the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000. Updated 04/06/16*lj updated 04/12/16.

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 185,000 miles · IN

Same story as I've seen thousands of times on the internet and you claim not enough occurrences! I'm on the interstate, going 70 MPH. Weather is good, traffic is light (thank god!) and my breaks slam on. The ABS system kicks in, so I'm able to get over to the shoulder before being rear ended. The triangle warning lamp is lit and the bas / esp lamp is lit. I try turning the car off and back on, lights go out, I move forward, get up to about 20 MPH and the breaks slam on again. I shut the car off for about 15 minutes while I got out and was investigating the tires and breaks. Get back in, start the vehicle and drive another 45 minutes. Get into town, driving about 25 MPH and they slam on again. I'm able to limp home with the ABS going on and off. I park it for the night. Next day I do some research and see there are thousands of similar complaints. Follow one of the suggestions and disconnect my battery. Fixed the issue for about 4 months before it happened again. This time I was in the passing lane going around an 18 wheeler with traffic behind me. Me and my 8 year old was almost killed along with other drivers. This is a life threatening issue that you can't ignore. It has happened 4 or 5 times in the two years I've owned the vehicle.

Filed Dec 15, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 134,850 miles · FL

I am having safety issues with my 2001 mercedes benz ml 320 with a esp bas light coming on and locking front brake causing the ABS to come on and stop SUV. To avoid an accident and almost getting rear ended with my kids in car. Contacted mercedes dealer and cant guarantee what problem is already changed brake light switch 2 times said it could be ABS pump {800} or wheel speed sensors {1200} or yaw sensor, ignition switch, maybe even computer but said they could not guarantee to fix this problem. Mercedes benz should have a recall on this issue it has been going on for years some one is going to get killed. Spoke to benz at corporate and they only say bring it to the dealer who does not know how to fix this problem. Hope I can get a answer to this situation.

Filed Dec 4, 2013 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes ml320. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and an exclamation point icon illuminated. In addition, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal grinding when braking from various speeds. The brakes would also seize intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer twice for diagnosis. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · TX

I almost got killed today!!! I was driving my merz ml320 when I felt the car vibrate, heard a noise as if something was stuck, the car slowed down all by itself and then felt the car pull to the right violently and into the right lane of a big truck barely missing him. The driver of that truck blew his horn at me and there was nothing I could do. My ABS/esp light came on along with the triangle brake light. At first, it sounded as if I blew a right front tire because that is how it sounded. I had no control of the wheel or brakes. The car just slowed down and pulled right. Very dangerous situation and had both my sons with me. The pulling of the car into the next lane is very dangerous. I sat there for 10 mins in shock before trying to start the car. The ABS/esp light is still on. I drove very slowly home avoiding the freeway. I am calling mercedes tomorrow. What just happened? Someone could be killed when a car locks up and driver has no control.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 108,258 miles · VA

I was driving straight on an interstate highway at 70mph with my foot on the gas pedal . All of a sudden the vehicle started to totally apply the brakes all by itself and lunged to a stop . The car behind me barely missed hitting the rear of my vehicle . I turned off the engine and restarted and and was able to drive to the side of the highway . Fearful to continue driving , I then called a tow service to take my vehicle to the nearest dealership . A few days later , they called me and said one of the sensors for the ABS/esp system had failed (yaw rate sensor - dtc c1120) and caused the problem . The repair cost would be about $900.00 . I could not believe that a component of a so called safety system could fail rendering the system so that it can in itself cause an extremely dangerous situation . Fortunately in my case there were no injuries but different circumstances could have been just the opposite . The ase master certified technition who takes care of my car stated that this was a known type of failure (defect) of my model mercedes . Mercedes benz refused to cover this repair for me and does not have a solution to prevent this from happenning again on my vehicle or any of the other thousands that they have sold . We all put faith in these safety system that mercedes manufactures but once the warranty expires we all are forced to live with the concequences of defective designs . I was told that when a component in a safety system fails the system is supposed to turn on a warning light and turn it self off . Not like in my case the failed sensor caused the ABS/esp system to randomly turn on the brakes . With all of the crazy computerized systems in the modern cars I am now nervous about blindly trusting them with my life.

Filed Jan 10, 2013 · Driver assistance · 10 miles · IL

Bas/esp came on again had a 2001 mercedes ml 320 ( bought this new in 2001) 63k miles, bas/esp on acting strangely . First it was replaced by mercedes dealer in illinois the brake light switch on but then latter it comes again. Before the panel dash board bas/esp came on, it seems the wheel locked and car is not moving and latter on it bas/exp light on so it is okay to drive the car. What I did I went to the local shop and they replaced again the new brake light switch on (replaced by mercedes dealer in 10/10/12) into new one original parts. I noticed sometimes that the bas/esp is on after 90 temperature and stay on until you shut down the car engine. Someone told that in the mb forum that yaw rate sensor is the one that cause the problem of the bas/esp on. I wonder how national transportation safety board is doing this.you should recall that aside replacement of bas/esp, yaw rate sensor,esp module and ABS relay should be recall also and replace no charge to the driver plus free diagnostic. I bring to mercedes dealer in chicago in 0ct. 2012 to recall bas/esp, yet after a day it came on and repeated again even today. This is very dangerous especially when you are driving in the expressway. The federal safety agency should do the recall sooner before it is too late.

Filed Sep 6, 2012 · Brakes, Suspension · 114,970 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes ml320. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the esp and bas warning light illuminated and then the ABS and the traction light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the brakes engaged independently. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact stated he believed it is a faulty yaw rate sensor. The dealer was notified and a diagnosis was pending. The manufacturer was notified and an investigation was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,970 and the current mileage was 115,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2008 · Driver assistance · 90,600 miles · FL

2001 mercedes benz ml320 incidents of uncommanded brake application. This happened four times in two weeks. I was driving at a steady speed of 60 MPH on a highway when all of a sudden the car shook violently for a second, it felt like the ABS system engaged. And the esp light come on. The last time it happened I was accelerating from a traffic light (5mph).

Filed Dec 5, 2006 · Brakes · 46,000 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the ABS activated without the brake pedal being depressed. This stopped the vehicle, and caused a complete stalling of the engine and electrical system. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who determined that the yaw rate sensor had malfunctioned. This was the fourth instance of the problem occurring. The manufacturer was also notified. The consumer stated emergency brake systlem light illuminated and suddenly her speed was reduced from 70 MPH to 0 and then the brakes locked. Updated 01/19/07.