Mercedes Benz M Class owners have reported 8 electronic stability control related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common electronic stability control problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's electronic stability control (8 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control problems |
At highway speed car jerked violently to the left as off the from right brake was being applied on its own. Turned the esp (electronic stability control) off and proceeded and the event happened again, car jerked to left and headed to ditch but was able to overcome with steering wheel. It appears a car system failed crash rather than fail safe.
Driving on tappan zee bridge near nyc and slowed down to approx 15 mph for toll booth and tried to accelerate out of the tolls. The vehicle was very loud and would not accelerate. It almost sounded like I was driving over rumble strips and I almost crashed trying to pull over as the ez-pass is all the way on the left side of the freeway. After I got out the front passenger rotor/caliper was almost glowing and erupting with smoke, the 3 other brakes looked fine. The smoke did not stop for at least 10-15 minutes and it smelled absolutely terrible even standing 15 feet away from the vehicle. The vehicle had to be flat-bedded to the dealership and they where not able to diagnose the issue, they said it seemed like an electrical problem. After bringing it to another shop they said it was a faulty yaw rate sensor.
While driving my 2000 ml320 mercedes, the car suddenly applies brakes while traveling at various speeds. The bas/esp warning lights come on. This is a very dangerous malfunction and someone should make mercedes address this defect immediately before someone is killed! if you do a search on the internet, it will amaze you how many people have experienced this horrifying ordeal. Please do not ignore my complaint.
While driving her 2002 mercedes ml 500 at a steady 40 mph in traffic the electronic stability control engaged for no reason locking the brakes and making the vehicle uncontrollable and unresponsive to driver input. The only thing that prevented us from being hit was there was no one behind us, had this of occurred going through an intersection we would have certainly have been hit. Our vehicle is at the mercedes dealer now and we are being told it needs a brake switch this will be the third or fourth one changed on the vehicle, it also has a bad yaw sensor the part that the dealer says caused the stability control to malfunction. The yaw sensor that is currently in our vehicle is not the original and has a different part number meaning it has also been changed in the past. I have a serious problem with this whole situation vehicle safety systems should not jeopardize the safety of the operator this is a serious safety defect. I have researched the mercedes owner forums and found numerous occurrences of this exact defect on several models of mercedes vehicles one happened while a gentleman was going at highway speed and mercedes has done nothing to take action.
I was driving my 2000 Mercedes Benz ml 430 at approximately 40 mph, when without any warning lights being displayed it abruptly stopped. The brake pedal had not been depressed. The vehicle then skidded, stopped, skidded again and stopped. This went on for approximately 45-60 seconds then the bas esp malfunction light came on. I was then able to drive the vehicle while the light was illuminated. I have experienced this on 4 separate occasions and have almost been involved in three accidents which all could have been fatal because the vehicle stops completely, it does not slow down then stop, it stops. I was advised to change the tires and have the brake light switch replaced. I did but the problem continued. I have been told by three certified mechanics that there seems to be a defect with or within my abs system because even if there is a problem with my abs system the car should not abruptly stop while being driven and it seems that the abs system is working in reverse order because the malfunction lights illuminate after the malfunction occurs. The abrupt stopping of the vehicle while being driven is dangerous and can cause a fatality or serious bodily injury. I have my old brake light switch but do not have the tires that were replaced.
The antilock braking system can take over throttle and braking. Vehicle will automatically apply brakes to various wheels. It will pitch the car left or right and require driver to counter steer to keep the vehicle straight. There is no warning on when this will happen. Can cause accident or cause vehicle to spin. Mercedes dealer service manager advise me it is a faulty sensor and it is replace at owners expense for $600. I complaint that it is dangerous and should be replaced. Service advisor simply replied " yes it is, you should pay for the repair. ".
This failure is best described in this investigation. . Read more...
While traveling with my family (wife and 2 kids) on the freeway returning from an family outing. We were traveling approximately 65 mph on the freeway when all the sudden without any warning the cars brakes are activated and the car pulls to the right, fortunately there was no car on the right lane next to me. The car braking on its own did not stop until the car came to a complete stop. After removing our hearts from our throats and changing our soiled undergarments we decided to head straight home 45 miles away. This same thing occurred about 3 times during our trip back home. I will be more than happy to allow dot inspectors to drive the car to assist your investigation. (I recommend you bring a change of underwear. ).