Mercedes-Benz ML500 Repair and Maintenance - Get an online auto repair estimate for your Mercedes-Benz ML500

There seems to be alot of lateral (side to side) movement in my car. It is most uncomfortable. Very un-Mercedes like. Is this common or can you suggest a fix?
Thank you.

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DIP STICK

DBARTON80, 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500, Houston, TX

HOW DO I CHECK THE OIL? I HAVE A SMALL OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL COOLER SEAL.. IS THIS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM??

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Mercedes-Benz ML500 Problems

Brakes	Pad life varies and is dependent upon driving style and terrain. One common problem our technicians report is that motorists will drive with the parking brake applied; this burns up the parking brake lining and wears out the brake rotors.
Engine	Oil leaks from the PCV vent housings on the valve covers and inspection plates on the front of the engine are common. The rubber bond in the harmonic balancer can decay, which causes the balancer to move and work its way into the timing chain cover. If the balancer comes into contact with the timing cover while the engine is running, it will fracture and damage the timing case and potentially other surrounding parts. The harmonic balancer should be inspected at every service. Oil leaks from the oil level sensor are common. The crankshaft position sensors tend to fail.
Exhaust & Emissions	The welds tend to crack on the front catalytic converter. Replacement of the catalyst is required; re-welding of the catalyst is discouraged because it is an emissions device. The mass air flow (MAF) sensor tends to fail. The engine air filter should be replaced when the mass air flow sensor is replaced; a dirty filter can allow debris to damage the new sensor. As the spark plug wires age and are exposed to heat cycling, they start to develop micro cracks in the insulation around the resistors, which causes misfires and poor fuel economy.
Suspension & Steering	These vehicles have torsion bar-type springs for the front suspension. If the vehicle appears to be lower on one side (in front), the hard plastic insulator for the torsion bar may have cracked and split. There may also be a squeaking noise (when driving over bumps) from below the front seats if this insulator has broken. The power steering return hose leaks at the radiator cooler fitting. If the clamp is not properly tightened, the hose can blow off, causing high steering effort and a mess under the hood. The power steering rack develops fluid leaks.
Drive Train	High mileage or older vehicles develop leaks at the differential seals and cover; the whole unit needs to be resealed to repair the leaks. The wire connector on the transmission leaks fluid into the wiring harness. If not repaired, the oil will migrate through the wiring harness and damage the transmission control module. A new harness and control module are required to fix the problem. Due to slipping clutches in the transfer case, a shudder or rumbling from the center of the vehicle may occur, especially when turning at slow speeds. If the clutches are not too badly worn, changing the fluid will fix this problem. Otherwise, the transfer case will need to be disassembled to change the clutches.
Electrical & Lights	Brake light switch failure can cause the ESP and BAS warnings to illuminate. The power window switches tend to fail and the windows will not raise. The main switch at the front center console should be replaced. Drive authorization fails to recognize the keys, causing a "no start" condition. A new module and keys will be needed. The "all activity module" can cause multiple electrical malfunctions.
Heating & Air Conditioning	The heater blower motor can become abnormally noisy. AC system leaks and bad evaporator temperature sensors can cause poor AC cooling. The bad sensors can prevent the AC compressor from coming on and leaks cause a low refrigerant level, which lowers the ability to cool.

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Mercedes-Benz ML500 Recalls and TSBs

Mercedes-Benz ML500 Recalls (Recent)

Body, Interior & Misc.: TRAILER HITCHES

Campaign Number: 08V242000

Dates Manufactured: 07/2006 to 04/2008

Number of Vehicles Affected: 52,740

Model Years Affected: 2006, 2007

Defect Summary: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 52,740 MY 2006-2008 GL AND ML CLASS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FLEX-N-GATE TRAILER HITCH. SOME OF THE WELD SEAMS CONNECTING THE TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER TO THE ATTACHMENT BAR USED TO SECURE THE TRAILER HITCH TO THE BODY FRAME DO NOT MEET PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence Summary: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE TRAILE RHITCH RECEIVER SEPOARATING FROM THE ATTACHMENT BAR, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. THE TRAILER HITCH MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE TRAILER HITCH. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2008. OWENRS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2008050004.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Drive Train: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Campaign Number: 06V495000

Dates Manufactured: 11/2006 to 12/2006

Number of Vehicles Affected: 1,570

Model Years Affected: 2007

Date Owner Notified: 01/2007

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY FASTENED TO ITS MOUNTING STUDS.

Consequence Summary: OVER TIME, THE PEDAL MAY NOT MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT PEDAL POSITION, WHICH COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE ACCELERATOR.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE MOUNTING NUTS OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2006120008.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Electrical & Lights: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign Number: 08V303000

Dates Manufactured: 11/2002 to 05/2008

Number of Vehicles Affected: 404

Model Years Affected: 2006, 2007

Defect Summary: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.

Consequence Summary: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2008 070001.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Suspension & Steering: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign Number: 05V224000

Number of Vehicles Affected: 7,191

Model Years Affected: 2006

Date Owner Notified: 05/2005

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A HOSE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence Summary: A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES BENZ RECALL NO. 2005 050004. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Suspension & Steering: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Campaign Number: 03V121000

Dates Manufactured: 05/1998 to 12/2002

Number of Vehicles Affected: 211,000

Model Years Affected: 2003

Date Owner Notified: 06/2003

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence Summary: THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2003-040005.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Suspension & Steering: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM

Campaign Number: 01V290000

Dates Manufactured: 08/2001 to 08/2001

Number of Vehicles Affected: 870

Model Years Affected: 2002

Date Owner Notified: 09/2001

Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFIED STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence Summary: THE CONTROL ARM COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Mercedes-Benz ML500 Technical Service Bulletins (Recent)

None reported.

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