Two problems related to power steering pump have been reported for the 2002 Mercedes Benz ML320. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Driving home on a local street at about 30 miles per hour, approaching intersection, trying to turn, all the sudden, steering wheel became very hard to turn, with no assisting power, car run over to the other side of the road, almost crash into curb. It is very lucky, there is no incoming cars, would have crash head on otherwise. Car towed to dealer, found steering hose from radiator to steering rack broken off, steering fluid splatting all over engine. Dealer stated no recall for steering hose coming out of radiator, but there was recall on steering hose coming out of pump. So this defect was not covered. I urge NHTSA to investigate this dangerous defect immediately, and issue recall to save lives.
Power steering pump is defective in the 2002 ml 320.