2002 Mercedes Benz ML320: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Apr 30, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

The car brakes suddenly by itself just after the ESB/ABS lights come on along with an exclamation point (!). This has happened randomly at least 4 times since we purchased the car. Once at high speeds on the highway. It appears this problem is common with other owners of Mercedes 2001-2002 ML's. According to the forums below, the problem seems to be a "YAW RATE SENSOR" malfunction or defect. My Mercedes mechanic saw no error codes for this component and it seem extremely expensive (forum states part is $3000) to replace. The https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w163/233486-big-problems-ml320-pls-help-2.html

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · 144,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ml320. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the brakes independently engaged and caused the vehicle to veer to the side of the road. The contact mentioned that the ABS warning light illuminated and then the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lamp switch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v208000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 175,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz ml320. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle felt as if it slammed on the brakes without the contact depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the ebs and ABS warning lights remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle made a loud screeching sound when being driven. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ml320. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, all of the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the ABS system failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2012 · Brakes · CT

I recently took my 2002 ml320 into my local mercedes repair shop (fairfield, ct) to have some work done. When I collected the vehicle and as I was leaving, the esp/bas, ets and ABS lights came on simultaneously. This had happened on many previous occasions over the years and every time I had mentioned it to the mercedes service people they have said that this is a common fault and that I should turn off the engine, wait and then re-start and this should clear the issue. This had mostly worked until this recent occasion. Instead it the lights remained on and so I immediately drove the car back into the repair shop. The repair shop kept the vehicle for several days trying to isolate the cause. Eventually they found some serious corrosion in the esp/hydraulic control unit. They told me that this was related to an accident the car was involved in and suggested I contact my insurer. The insurance assessor examined the car in detail and concluded that the fault was entirely unrelated and their diagnosis was that the design of the unit was flawed. In other words this is a design fault. They said that given that this unit controls the entire braking system, any failure could be catastrophic. I had no choice but to authorize the repair. However, I am very concerned about this issue. The unit has been replaced at a cost of nearly $2,400 but if as the geico insurance assessor believes, this is a design fault then this is going to happen again. Additionally, it seems that the unit had been corroded for some time and could have failed at any time but because it is such a common occurrence for these warning lights to come on, no-one investigated the issue with the unit until recently. My related concern is that the unit could fail at any time and this possibility places me and my family in potential danger. Mercedes declined to take any action.

Filed Jan 7, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 63,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ml320. While driving less than 70 MPH, the front passenger side brake locked up and caused the vehicle to swerve into a median. The ABS warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel at the same time the brakes locked. The contact never depressed the brake pedal nor the accelerator pedal for the brakes to lock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the yaw rate sensor failed. The repairs were scheduled under warranty. The failure and current mileages were 63,000. Updated 02/05/09 *bf the bas/esp light illuminated. The catalytic converter was cracked and the transmission electrical connector was leaking.. Updated 02/06/09.

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Lights · 105,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz ml320. For the past two years, the contact has taken her vehicle to the dealer to have the brake light switch repaired. When the brake light switch failed, the esp and ABS indicators illuminated. The vehicle would stop and the gear would have to be placed into park to manually override the warnings. Once the vehicle was placed into park, it would not move. The brakes lights do not illuminate, which is a hazard to the vehicles in the rear of the contact. The switch has been changed at least eight times, but the failure still occurs. The dealer stated that they sent an email to the mercedes benz manufacturer at least twice, but have not received a response. The dealer informed the contact that the regional manager would inspect the vehicle, but this has not yet taken place. The failure mileage was 105,000.