RecallRepo

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 493,579 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electronic stability control (esc). Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11V208000 2011-03-31 136,751 affected
Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE…

Consequence

DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

STEERING 08V465000 2008-09-17 125,228 affected
Defect

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 VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR…

STEERING 03V121000 2003-03-27 211,000 affected
Defect

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 AN AGREED UPON…

SEAT BELTS 00V352000 2000-10-30 16,246 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR IN THE REAR FOLDING MIDDLE SEATING POSITION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH OUT-OF-TOLERANCE HARDWARE.

Consequence

IF THIS IS THE CASE, THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE.

SEAT BELTS 00V203000 2000-07-26 4,354 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT BUZZER WARNING SOUNDS FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION IS TURNED TO THE ON OR START POSITION AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS FASTENED. THIS…

Consequence

DRIVERS MAY BECOME CONFUSED REGARDING THE PURPOSE OF THE CHIME.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SYSTEM.

Complaints by component

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
6
STEERING
5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
1crashes
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1
Total complaints32

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“At highway speed car jerked violently to the left as off the from right brake was being applied on its own. Turned the esp (electronic stability control) off and proceeded and the event happened again, car jerked to left and headed to ditch but was able to overcome with steering wheel. It appears…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2012-05-24

“At highway speed car jerked violently to the left as off the from right brake was being applied on its own. Turned the esp (electronic stability control) off and proceeded and the event happened again, car jerked to left and headed to ditch but was able to overcome with steering wheel. It appears…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2012-05-24

“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz ml320. The contact was driving approximately 55 mph with the cruise control in activation. When pressure was applied to the brake pedal, the cruise control failed to disengage. Suddenly the brakes locked and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The gear…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2011-06-15

“While driving my 2000 ml320 mercedes, the car suddenly applies brakes while traveling at various speeds. The bas/esp warning lights come on. This is a very dangerous malfunction and someone should make mercedes address this defect immediately before someone is killed! If you do a search on the…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2011-01-21

“While driving my 2000 ml320 mercedes, the car suddenly applies brakes while traveling at various speeds. The bas/esp warning lights come on. This is a very dangerous malfunction and someone should make mercedes address this defect immediately before someone is killed! If you do a search on the…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2011-01-21

“I was driving my 2000 mercedes benz ml 430 at approximately 40 mph, when without any warning lights being displayed it abruptly stopped. The brake pedal had not been depressed. The vehicle then skidded, stopped, skidded again and stopped. This went on for approximately 45-60 seconds then the bas…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2010-07-12

“I was driving my 2000 mercedes benz ml 430 at approximately 40 mph, when without any warning lights being displayed it abruptly stopped. The brake pedal had not been depressed. The vehicle then skidded, stopped, skidded again and stopped. This went on for approximately 45-60 seconds then the bas…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2010-07-12

“The antilock braking system can take over throttle and braking. Vehicle will automatically apply brakes to various wheels. It will pitch the car left or right and require driver to counter steer to keep the vehicle straight. There is no warning on when this will happen. Can cause accident or cause…”

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC · reported 2009-11-19

Defect investigations

Investigation EA08009 Opened 2008-04-28 · closed 2009-12-16

BRAKE LINE CHAFE

ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND MERCEDES AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA SUBMITTED BY MERCEDES INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AT A LOW RATE (36.5 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND 0.29 PERCENT WARRANTY CLAIM RATE), WITH NO DISCERNABLE DEFECT TREND INDICATING THAT THE RATE OF CHAFING RELATED BRAKE LINE…

Investigation EA08009 Opened 2008-04-28 · closed 2009-12-16

BRAKE LINE CHAFE

ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND MERCEDES AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA SUBMITTED BY MERCEDES INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AT A LOW RATE (36.5 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND 0.29 PERCENT WARRANTY CLAIM RATE), WITH NO DISCERNABLE DEFECT TREND INDICATING THAT THE RATE OF CHAFING RELATED BRAKE LINE…

Investigation PE03058 Opened 2003-12-17 · closed 2004-04-22

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC…

Investigation PE07007 Opened 2007-02-01 · closed 2007-07-11

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION

ODI OPENED PE07-007 AFTER RECEIVING 4 COMPLAINTS WITHIN A 6 WEEK PERIOD ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF UNCOMMANDED BRAKE APPLICATION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2001 MERCEDES M CLASS SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS OR GATHERED IN SUBSEQUENT CONSUMER INTERVIEWS INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENTS WERE…

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

Brake lamp switch failure.

ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also…

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

Brake lamp switch failure.

ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also…

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

Brake lamp switch failure.

ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also…

Investigation PE10050 Opened 2010-12-21 · closed 2011-05-04

Brake lamp switch failure.

ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also…

Investigation RQ08002 Opened 2008-03-11 · closed 2008-09-17

POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK

MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) WILL NOTIFY CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2003 M-CLASS OWNERS OF THE NEED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY CAMPAIGNED UNDER MBUSA RECALL 2003-040005 (NHTSA RECALL 03V-121).THE MBUSA CAMPAIGN, WHICH ODI IS DESIGNATING RECALL 08V-465, WILL REPLACE THE…

Investigation RQ08002 Opened 2008-03-11 · closed 2008-09-17

POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK

MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) WILL NOTIFY CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2003 M-CLASS OWNERS OF THE NEED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY CAMPAIGNED UNDER MBUSA RECALL 2003-040005 (NHTSA RECALL 03V-121).THE MBUSA CAMPAIGN, WHICH ODI IS DESIGNATING RECALL 08V-465, WILL REPLACE THE…

Investigation RQ08002 Opened 2008-03-11 · closed 2008-09-17

POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK

MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) WILL NOTIFY CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2003 M-CLASS OWNERS OF THE NEED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY CAMPAIGNED UNDER MBUSA RECALL 2003-040005 (NHTSA RECALL 03V-121).THE MBUSA CAMPAIGN, WHICH ODI IS DESIGNATING RECALL 08V-465, WILL REPLACE THE…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.