Problem is with the BAS/ABS. The problem was confirmed by two (2) separate drivers of the vehicle in question. The problem occurred on 4 or 5 separate occasions, all within the last 120 days. The BAS/ABS light on the dashboard indicated random conditions (off when first starting the engine, then on after approximately 1 to 2 minutes). Regardless of the BAS/ABS light status the vehicle appeared to be operating normally. Then suddenly without warning the brakes jammed on pulling hard to the right, then to the left. The problem occurs randomly at various speeds. Speeds as lows 3 to 5 MPH. Other times at highway speeds often in heavy traffic. On each occasion, cars following behind, and on each side had to take evasive action to prevent a collision. The vehicle has yet to be inspected by the dealer or independent service center. I'm afraid to drive the car and don't want to pay for towing.
Mercedes Benz ML430 abs comes on
12 of the 136 owner complaints about the Mercedes Benz ML430 describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 137,000
By model year
- 20014
- 20007
- 19991
Often reported together
What owners say
I have 2000 ML 430. When I drive my car once a while brakes will engage without the warning, no matter how fast or slow I go. It is a very scarry situation.. The shop I went to replaced the ABS module and the problem went away for about 6 months. After that I have experienced one more hard braking but again everything went to "normal". I do take good care of mine old ML 430 and the car is in in excellent condition,, so lack of proper maintenance is not an issue here. No matter what it is, I drive my car with both hands on the steering wheel since. I have posted a thread about this in Facebook and other Mercedes Benz Forums and asked how many others have experienced this brakes locking issue, and it is not a good outlook. There are so many instances where people have had near collisions and rear-endings. Some people have been in collisions because of this. The problem exists in older and newer cars as well. Too many instances for my liking. I'm not sure there are some instances that caused death we don't even know about. This is alarming issue. I thought I was the only one having this problem but apparently a lot of MB owners are dealing with that. Why Mercedes Benz does not have a recall? Why they are ignoring this? I do not feel safe driving the car and do not let any members of my family use the car anymore. Since this happened to me on several occasions I am the only one who kind of "knows" how to handle the car when it happens. Scarry and outrages. I hope you can investigate the issue and help us resolving this dangerous situation. Thank you.
The contact owned a 2000 Mercedes Benz ML430. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph the ABS light had illuminated and smoke was present coming from the steering column. Moments later flames were present coming from under the hood and the subframe of the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and the local fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. A police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not available.
Re: 2001 mb ml430 electronic braking sensor the front passenger brake initially locked up at low speed upon acceleration. After stopping and turning the vehicle off and back on the system was back to normal. Then one day I was traveling at near 70 MPH in the passing lane of an interstate highway when the front driver brake locked up and brake tire smoke billowed from my vehicle which caused traffic behind me to swerve and brake behind and on the side of me. I proceeded to pull off onto the shoulder of the highway and turned my vehicle off and back on, after which my vehicle operated normally. I proceeded to do an online search and learned that this was a common sort of problem for this model.. Particularly at low speeds. In my case it happened at low speeds and then the one time at 70 MPH. I learned that the yaw sensor which is part of the ABS system was commonly reported as the likely cause of the problem.. I proceeded to disconnect the yaw sensor and have had no further problems. I am fortunate that it was not a rainy day, otherwise the results may have been catastrophic with so many vehicles behind me and traveling at such a high speed. Theyaw sensor mb part # is a 002 542 94 18 q01 systron donner inertia division USA
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz ml430. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering, est, and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of pittsburgh (4709 baum blvd, pittsburgh, pa 15213) where it was diagnosed, but no codes were populated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 172,000. Updated 11/03/17*lj the consumer provided codes c114214 and c114209 updated 12/1/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz ml430. The contact stated that various warning indicators flashed on the instrument panel several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (bobby rahal motorcar company, 10701 perry hwy, wexford, pa 15090, (724) 935-9300) who was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure with the dtc present when the vehicle was inspected by the dealer's mechanic(s). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to determine if they could provide a technician and a solution to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000. Updated 10/26/17*lj the consumer stated problems with van control, ABS light on, ball joint light on, transmission, bas malfunction, ets malfunction, and transmission in low range.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz ml430. While driving various speeds, the ABS engaged without warning and caused the vehicle to slide. The contact stated that the brake and accelerator pedal failed to function when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the o-sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz ml430. The contact stated the ABS hydraulic unit system malfunctioned. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated as the braking system independently actived. The contact had to pull over to the side of the road and shut the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle and the braking system was working normal. The contact called the dealer regarding the ABS system. The dealer stated the ABS hydraulic unit needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 175,000. The VIN was not available.
2000 mercedes benz ml-430. Consumer writes in regards to brake malfunction while driving vehicle. *smd the consumer discovered there was a recall on the brakes and had the issue addressed. However, she felt there was still a problem. The consumer stated ABS, SRS, bas, esp and ets lights illuminated on the dashboard, and the brakes locked up and the she had no control over the vehicle. Some of the lights went out, while some have remained on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz ml430. While driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the ABS and traction warning lights illuminated. The contact was depressing the accelerator pedal when the brakes independently engaged and the vehicle came to a complete stop unexpectedly. The contact accelerated and the failure recurred with the bas and esp warning lights illuminated. The vehicle then drove as normal. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic who advised that the yaw rate sensor would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,190 and the current mileage was 136,590.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Mercedes Benz ML430 abs
Why does the abs come on in the Mercedes Benz ML430?
Owners who report it most often also describe pulls to one side, fire, smoke or burning smell and engine failure.
Which Mercedes Benz ML430 years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (7 complaints), 2001 (4 complaints) and 1999 (1 complaints).
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