Eight problems related to brake sensor have been reported for the 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On multiple occasions and numerous different speeds, weather, both driving on a straightaway or turning, and other road conditions, the front brakes have locked up on the car causing it to veer right while engaging the brakes. Most often I have had to pull over, thankfully safely, or on one occasion, stop in the middle of the road to turn the car off to be able to continue driving which is incredibly dangerous and scary. I've taken it to the dealership and they had me replace the brake sensors which were obviously not the problem and then recommended other replacements, since the problem continued, that I declined until I found that this was a common problem with the stability sensors in this vehicle (specifically the yaw sensor). I'm amazed this is not a recall situation and that no one has been seriously injured or killed due to this problem.
On numerous occasions occurring in different conditions regarding speed, weather, road conditions, etc. , I have had the vehicle pull hard to the right while engaging the front brakes, both while turning the vehicle and on straightaways. When this occurs, the triangle hazard light and esp lights start flashing. Most often I have been able to pull off to the side of the road, thankfully safely, or on one occasion stop in the middle of the road as the car wouldn¿t allow me to continue driving which was incredibly dangerous and scary. I have taken it to the dealership who replaced the front brake sensors, which didn¿t fix the problem, and returned to have them again diagnose the issue and declined their recommendations such as replacing the back brake sensors, until I came upon the repeated issues of the stability sensors failing (specifically the yaw sensor). I can¿t believe that, to date, this has not been a recall issue and no one has been seriously injured or killed due to this problem (I filed a previous claim, but the website went under maintenance and closed my complaint as I was filing and was given id #10923983, but there is no information filed in association that I could find hence the re-filing).
Brakes applied on their own without pedal pressure while car was moving at highway speed. Front brakes were smoking by the time I found a safe place to stop off the 4-lane road on a side road. Rear brakes seemed hot, but not smoking. No warning lights came on. Immediately before this highway event, car had just been traveling around 35 mph on hilly side roads with steep ascents and descents. This is the fourth time brakes have self-applied in a similar manner. After second event, dealer examined car but could not reproduce the problem or find any faults on computer diagnostics. When brakes cool, car restarts without brakes coming on. Brake pads and sensors were replaced 6,000 miles earlier; significant brake drag was present for around two hundred miles after that repair; dealer said brakes were self-adjusting and declined to examine car at that time. It was about 4,000 miles after brake pad/sensor replacement that the self-braking problem started.
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz Ml320. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brakes would erroneously activate and abruptly stop the vehicle. The contact indicated that when the failure occurs the bas/esp sensor light would illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Front passenger side wheel brake on it's own, pulling me off to the left of the road vehicle brake (right side) stayed engaged until vehicle speed was down to about 20 mph. Dealer said a bad yaw rate sensor was the problem.
The anti-lock braking system would engage without driver activation. The bas/esp light would come on without any reason either. One day I was on the freeway when it happened and suddenly the breaks were engaged at 73 mph when I was on the fast lane and other vehicles following at about the same speed. My leg was on the accelerator gassing to continue, but the anti-lock braking system forced the car to almost a stop - about 10mph, before the breaks disengaged and the car continued to move (that is accelerate again). I almost got rammed by the vehicle behind me. I took it to mecerdes benz dealership in george town TX. They said it was unequal size tires that was the problem. I changed the tires to all new and the same size tries and the problem persisted. I took it back to the georgetown dealership again. This time their diagnosis was that the lateral acceleration and yaw sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced for $1250. 00. What I described above was just an episode. It happen first when my wife was driving the car. It has happened several other times before I finally took it for repairs. I have packed the car for now because I have other cars to use and the problem has not still been fixed. Nhtsa should issue a recall.
2002 ml 320 front brakes locked up by themselves nearly causing an accident. Burning smell detected from front wheels. Vehicle taken to dealer who claimed sensors had failed and that this was a rare problem; consumer charged to replace sensors. Less than one month later the same thing occurred, dealer now states it is a pressure issue but wants to keep vehicle overnight to duplicate stated problem. Owner initially noticed this problem over 1 year ago, taking it to the dealer thinking the emergency brake was sticking, causing the burning smell and sluggishness. During that visit the dealer stated it found no problem with the emergency brake. Owner paid to have rotors and brake pads replaced due to pitting and groving caused by the front brakes self-engaging; this did not fix the problem and the dealer is currently investigating a pressure issue. Vehicle has less than 24k miles on it and was purchased from the dealer brand new.
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz Ml320. While driving less than 70 mph, the front passenger side brake locked up and caused the vehicle to swerve into a median. The abs warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel at the same time the brakes locked. The contact never depressed the brake pedal nor the accelerator pedal for the brakes to lock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the yaw rate sensor failed. The repairs were scheduled under warranty. The failure and current mileages were 63,000. Updated 02/05/09 the bas/esp light illuminated. The catalytic converter was cracked and the transmission electrical connector was leaking. . Updated 02/06/09.