Ten problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Reference: vehicle complaint - 47046 in September 1999, we purchased a new mercedes-benz, ml-320. In 2003, the vehicle was part of a recall concerning a lower power steering hose and clamp at the radiator fitting. On August 7, 2007, while driving the vehicle, the lower power steering hose blew off losing all hydraulic fluid. We lost the power steering and had extreme difficulty steering the vehicle. The same problem has occurred with a family member's ml-320. In addition, the transmission has frozen four times in first gear. The mercedes dealer was unable to locate the problem. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and they replaced the hose; however, we have not retrieved the vehicle from the dealer because we are fearful about driving the vehicle due to these recurring problems.
In September 1999, we purchased a new mercedes-benz, ml-320. In 2003, the vehicle was a part of a recall for a lower power steering hose and clamp at the radiator fitting. On August 7, 2007, while driving the vehicle, the lower power steering hose blew off loosing all hydraulic fluid. We lost the power steering and had extreme difficulty steering the vehicle. The same problem has occurred with a family member's ml-320. In addition, the transmission has frozen four times in first gear. The mercedes dealer was unable to locate the problem. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the hose; however, we have not retrieved the vehicle from the dealer because we are fearful about driving the vehicle due to these recurring problems.
I have 2 complaints against mercedes Ml320 SUV. 1) with ignition off and key removed, the transmission shifter can be shifted to neutral and the truck starts to roll. It posts extreme danger to passengers, especially, kids left in a parked vehicle, as well as pedestrians in front or behind the vehicle, especially those standing in between this vehicle and another parked vehicle on a slope. 2) the well known power lock failure causes the manually locked doors (including child proof rear door locks) to be unlocked automatically whenever the vehicle starts in motion from full stop. It is due to the auto-lock feature which attempts to lock all doors when the vehicle starts to move from full stop (e. G stopping for red light). However, due to power lock failure, it cannot lock all the doors after 4-5 times and eventually unlocks all doors. This left children in the rear in danger of opening the doors while the vehicle is in motion. This problem happened to me twice; one at 9700 miles in 2001 and at 70,000 miles in 2007. I had written a letter to Mercedes Benz USA to complaint about the power lock and they just denied that it is a defect.
Upon pulling onto the interstate vehicle jerked then stalled. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission failed.
Traveling at highway speeds of 70 mph up a steep grade on California interstate 5 on the section of the highway known as "the grape vine" elevation of 3000-4000 feet, headed north keeping pace with heavy traffic in the fast lane (far left hand side of the freeway highway ), in the afternoon of 2/16/04 at 2 pm with cruise control on the car ( 1999 merz, class hd,, body type ut ven 4jgab54e6xa123352) automatically shifted to a lower gear sending the rpms from 2500 to 3000-4000, this normal automatic action caused the car to stop all forward motion reducing both car speed and rpms to zero in the fast lane, the impact a "full engine shut down" a highly dangerous action in fast moving traffic with a short hazardous signaling notice. The car in July of 2003 performed in the same manner in the same section of "the grape vine" headed south in the fast lane with a different driver, not using cruise control the vehicle stopped all forward motion. Shortly arriving in palm springs California on the same day, the car again performed in the same malfunction. The car was taken to the palm springs mercedes dealership, the problem identified and presumably resolved. The problem is not resolved as stated for the purpose of this letter, it has occurred for the third time. This is a critical life threatening malfunction that demands immediate rectification.
Car was in park at the top of the driveway and rolled down my driveway down a hill and crashed into a tree to stop. The car maker sent an investigator out (after a month) who determined it was a defect in the transmission. (I am awaiting their report to me) car is not drivable.
Car was stopped put into park position on the transmission. Car lurched forward, crashed thru garage adjoining porch and deck and rolled off dropping 10 feet and turning on it's side. Dt.
Vehicle will not accelerate upon taking off. Dealer is not resolving the problem.
While driving about any speed transmission will lose power, usually when shifting speed.
When on a hill or incline vehicle will roll back, took vehicle to dealer. He said it was normal.