Cruise Control Problems of Mercedes Benz 320

The event involved my 2000 e320 sedan. I had driven to albuquerque and used my cruise control as usual - it was still on but not engaged. I entered kirtland afb, where I stopped at the guard shack to present my id and then started down wyoming street at 25 mph. Suddenly, the accelerator was drawn down to the floor and the car accelerated like a rocket! I grabbed the wheel with both hand and stood on the brake pedal with both feet, almost stopping before I overtook and hit a pickup truck that had been three blocks ahead of me. No injuries. About $5000 damage to my car from engulfing the huge towbar on the truck (grill, hood, radiator, power steering control, etc. - actually no major damage). Mercedes service people stated that they could find nothing wrong with the car to explain the spontaneous acceleration.

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I am concerned that the arm for the crusie control is too close to the turn signal arm. Several times a day I find that my hand (albeit a small hand) accidentally hits the cruise control lever instead of the turn signal - especially when signalling left. This activates the cruise control at a time when you are usually getting ready to slow down for a turn. I understand that braking will turn off the cruise automatically, but it is still an incovenience and could potentially be dangerous. I contacted Mercedes Benz and they said that the cars are all put through many, many tests and this problem didn't surface. A solution would be too shorten the length of the cruise handle or angle it more toward the dash. Possibly this would allow fewer mistakes.

See all problems of the 2003 Mercedes Benz 320 🔎.

When pressing accelerator pedal after coming to a complete stop, vehicle will not react until pedal is 1/4 to 1/2 depressed. Then, vehicle will lurch forward. Vehicle is now at the dealer. Consumer stated dealer replaced a part called the me control unit and problem has ceased.

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Model ml320 the cruise control stalk on this vehicle is located directly above the turn signal stalk. The cruise control & turn signal stalks are of equal length. When making a right turn, and engaging the right turn signal, it is likely to also graze the cruise control stalk, which engages the cruise control, and sets speed. This is especially a problem at night, as the cruise control stalk is not lighted. All other mercedes-benz vehicles currently produced have a cruise control stalk that is shorter then the turn signal stalk. The ml320 is the exception. Very dangerous, and very unnerving when the cruise control activates when turing right.

See all problems of the 1999 Mercedes Benz 320 🔎.