TSB: MERCEDES BENZ ML320, ML350, ML430, ML500, ML55, ML550, ML63, R320, R350, R500, R63 (1990–2009)

Bulletin LI-72-00-P — May 1, 2013

Bulletin Details

Bulletin IDLI-72-00-P
ManufacturerMERCEDES BENZ
ModelsML320, ML350, ML430, ML500, ML55, ML550, ML63, R320, R350, R500, R63
Model Years1990–2009
Date IssuedMay 1, 2013
Date Added to NHTSAJune 30, 2010
ComponentSTRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Vehicles Affected65 combinations

What is a TSB?

A Technical Service Bulletin is a document issued by the vehicle manufacturer to inform dealership technicians about a known issue and the recommended repair procedure. TSBs are not mandatory recalls — they serve as repair guidance for common problems.

If your vehicle has this issue, bring this bulletin ID to your dealer. If under warranty, the repair should be covered at no cost.

Summary

XENTRY: OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER RETURNS TO END POSITION. DUE TO A BENT PIN IN THE DYNAMIC BALANCER, THE SUPPORT SPRING OF THE BEARING BRACKET CAN SLIDE OUT OF PLACE OR BECOME UNHOOKED. MODELS 164, 251, 166, 204, 212. NO MODEL YEARS

Affected Vehicles

MakeModelYearComponent
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R63 2009 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R63 2008 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R63 2007 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R63 2006 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML63 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R320 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ R63 2005 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2004 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2004 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2003 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2003 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2002 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 2002 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML55 2002 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2001 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 2001 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML55 2001 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2000 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 2000 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 1999 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 1999 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 1998 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 1990 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MERCEDES-BENZ ML55 162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Related MERCEDES BENZ Recalls

CampaignModelYearComponentSummary
GLS 450 4MATIC 2026 AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE ...
GLE 580 4MATIC 2026 AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE ...
AMG GLS63 4MATIC 2026 AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE ...
AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC 2026 AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE ...
GLE 450E 4MATIC 2026 AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE ...

What Should You Do?

If your vehicle is affected by this TSB, contact your authorized MERCEDES BENZ dealer. Bring this bulletin ID (LI-72-00-P) when you visit. If under warranty, the repair should be free. If your warranty has expired, ask about goodwill coverage — manufacturers sometimes cover TSB-related repairs beyond the warranty period.

Frequently Asked Questions

A recall is a mandatory safety fix — the manufacturer must repair every affected vehicle for free. A TSB is an advisory document that describes a known issue and the recommended fix, but repairs are not required. However, some TSBs eventually lead to recalls if the issue poses a safety risk. TSBs are generally issued for quality or performance problems, while recalls address safety defects.

If your vehicle is still under the manufacturer's warranty, TSB-related repairs are typically covered at no cost. If your warranty has expired, you can ask the dealer about goodwill or customer assistance programs. Many manufacturers will cover or partially cover repairs for well-known issues, especially if the TSB was issued recently or affects a large number of vehicles.

Check the make, model, and model year listed above against your vehicle. If they match, this bulletin likely applies. However, TSBs may only affect vehicles with specific production dates, VIN ranges, or configurations. Your dealer can confirm by entering your VIN into their service system, which will show all applicable TSBs and recalls.

This data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Manufacturers are required to submit copies of all communications (including TSBs) sent to their dealers to NHTSA. The agency makes this data publicly available as part of its vehicle safety monitoring program.