One problem related to gas tank strap has been reported for the 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The method in which a fuel tank is fastened to the vehicle chassis uses a steel strut to support a series of stainless steel straps. The dissimilarity in metals used in fastening the hardware of both combined with exposure to the elements will cause the strut to corrode without warning and the fuel tank to drop onto the roadway without prior symptoms or warning. The corrosion at the critical fasting points is not obvious with routine inspection. With many of these vehicles manufactured from 1998 through 2005 still on the road today, owners should be made aware of this potential safety issue.