1998 MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS

4 recalls — 6 complaints — 6 TSBs

08V465000 Sep 17, 2008
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Defect Description
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 125,228 MY 1998-2004 M-CLASS 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
THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICL... Read more
125,228 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
03V121000 Mar 27, 2003
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Defect Description
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
THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.
Remedy
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 ... Read more
211,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
99V328000 Nov 22, 1999
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY. IF THE PLASTIC COVER IS LOOSE DURING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE BUCKLE TONGUE TO THE LATCH MECHANISM, THE BUCKLE COULD UNLATCH.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES. IF EITHER THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
85,970 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.
98V090000 May 4, 1998
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE CERTIFICATION LABEL ON THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."
Consequence
THE REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING WAS LISTED AS 3257 LB. INSTEAD OF 3527 LB. AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS LISTED AS 276 RATHER THAN 275. A CONSUMER COULD INCORRECTLY INFLATE THE TIRES OR IMPROPERLY LOAD THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE OWNER'S HOME AND REMOVE THE NON-COMPLIANCE LABEL AND REPLACE THIS WITH A LABEL WHICH IS IN COMPLIANCE.
42 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

6 total complaints 1 crashes

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE Oct 18, 2009
Incident date: Sep 15, 1998
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING CENTER AND GOING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR, SUDDENLY THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I CRASHED INTO 2 CARS. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT HURT AND THE DAMAGE TO THE 3 CARS WAS SLIGHT BUMPER DAMAGE. I CALLED THE POLICE AND MADE A REPORT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE... Read more
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Sep 3, 2004
Incident date: Aug 29, 2004
NO POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS HARD TO STEER THAT MIGHT CAUSE INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED. *AK
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Sep 3, 2004
Incident date: Aug 29, 2004
NO POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS HARD TO STEER THAT MIGHT CAUSE INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS Mar 15, 2004
Incident date: Mar 15, 2004
THE CRANKSHAFT HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY OF MY MERCEDES ML 320 GAVE OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE BELT STARTED TO BURN. I CALLED THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER IN HONOLULU, HI AND THE SERVICE MANAGER, DAN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PULLEY TO DATE AND THAT I SHOULD BRING MY ML 320 IN TO ... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS Jan 2, 2003
Incident date: Dec 29, 2002
ON DECEMBER 29TH WHILE TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY ON I-77 NORTH IN VIRGINIA THE METAL SUNROOF WIND DEFLECTOR ON MY 1998 MERCEDES ML320 COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT WARNING BROKE OFF AND FLEW INTO THE PATH OF SEVERAL AUTOMOBILES. A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. MY ML320 IS WELL MAINTAINED AND... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Mar 22, 2000
REAR DOOR LOCK FAILED. YH

Technical Service Bulletins — 1998 MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS

6 manufacturer communications from 5 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY1
220000 SEATS1
140000 AIR BAGS1
015200 STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS1
TB-46-30-13-B Feb 15, 2013
015200 STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
MERCEDES: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP SHOULD BE REPLACE, UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, DUE TO POWER STEERING LEAKAGE FROM CONNECTION TO POWER STEERING COOLER. MODELS 1998-2003 163.154,
424562 May 16, 2005
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ESP LAMP ILLUMINATED. *TT
26M992 Nov 5, 1999
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF POOR AM / ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE ON AM. *TT
078 Feb 4, 1999
140000 AIR BAGS
SUBJECT REGARDING SRS CONTROL UNIT PROGRAMMING. *TT
TSIMBNA9136 Aug 1, 1998
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY
INFORMATION ON THIRD ROW SEAT KIT INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. *YC
TSIMBNA9136 Aug 1, 1998
220000 SEATS
INFORMATION ON THIRD ROW SEAT KIT INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. *YC

MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS across all model years (1998–2008).

28 Total Recalls
93 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
6 Reported Crashes
3 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2008 2 1 View
2004 1 0 View
2003 3 12 View
2002 5 5 View
2001 4 9 View
2000 5 32 View
1999 4 28 View
1998 (current) 4 6

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Model Recalls Complaints
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C 300 1,074 360 View
AMG GLS63 963 12 View
AMG C43 944 74 View
CLA 250 923 130 View
AMG GLC43 920 42 View