Comments: 1-15, 16-19
I have had so many problems with my 1999 ML430 (98K miles), I want to cry. It's been a very, very, troublesome vehicle from the day I bought it.
My current stable is made up a BMW 3 series and Volvo S80 (as well as the ML430). The Mercedes has easily had twice (if not thrice) the amount of issues of both my other vehicles combined. Not to mention one of the poorest after sales service dealers I have ever encountered, with a cost of ownership that is stifling. Unlike your other consumers that have had the unfortunate happenstance of owning one and complaining, I want to bring these issues to your attention so that maybe you can rectify your bad product line.
I, personally, would never again purchase a Mercedes Benz (or related product) as long as I live, irrespective of if I ever get my current MB vehicle running again or not. I won't even take a new Mercedes given to me for free. And I mention my problems to every person that will listen so that they never make the same mistake I did.
My vehicle has, thus far, gone thru two MAF's, one CPS, one power steering reservoir, one power steering unit, a myriad of hoses and sensors, routine maintenance (not limited to 4 brake pad changes, 4 tire changes, one set of spark plugs, and one coil), as well as several recalls. All at my expense.
My Mercedes dealership even refused to refund my cash related to fixes that were performed before recalls were done (for instance, my power steering hose connection failed, which caused the p/s pump to overheat. I took it to Mercedes, they wanted $2400 to fix. I took it to another independent shop who did it for $1100. A month later I got the recall letter in the mail to fix the power steering hose connection, which is what caused this issue. When I called Mercedes, they refused to refund my cost to fix this). This would be laughable if it was not so sad.
My latest issue is: My battery died after the truck sat in my garage. Tried jumping it, but it wouldn’t start. Went out and bought a new one and put it in. Now the BAS/ESP light is on and I have no throttle/acceleration when I hit the gas pedal. Idle seems perfect in Park/Neutral and drive … when I hit the gas sometimes there is no change to idle, other times it becomes erratic. I towed it into the dealer and they said I need a new MAF. After they put in a new one, it did the same thing.
Then they said I need a new throttle. Then they said I need a new ECU. I told them to go pound sand and towed it home. I took it home, performed the throttle reset process (leave key in ignition for 5 minutes without starting, then starting) and it worked perfectly until a month later. Then did the same thing again (no throttle response). Now nothing is fixing it. Several shops later and it's still a massive metal sculpture. Now, I have had a $40,000 paperweight in my garage for the past few months.
MB products are inferior to even the cheap Asian products, service dealers are made up of deplorable techs that know less than average artisans, vehicles are overly engineered to poor standards.. it's not just a miracle that they are running on the roads, it's a miracle that the MB company is still in business.
10 years and 100,000 miles and that is all you've had to change. There is nothing unusual to me in changing brakes and sensors on occasion.
The recall thing, well, what can they do when you already paid someone else. If you had gone to them MBZ, maybe they would have helped you.
Benzes are high-tech sophisticated vehicles and are not perfect but appeal too many.
Hey, you know this already. Right?
Why did you keep yours for 10 years?
Obviously MB is still in business because they make cars that last when properly serviced.
Boy, I have had the same problems with my Mercedes. It was badly engineered. Problems started a week after driving it of the lot. Went through TPS, CPS, Throttle, ECU, fuel sender units, new transmission, key fob (and thats not counting recalls) all within first 5 years of service. I traded mine in and bought a BMW X5. Owned the X5 now for 3 years. No problems at all. Not one. Just have done oil changes and she sings like a bird.
LOL. I thought I was alone in my Mercedes woes. Best thing I ever did was sell mine. Got a Lexus now. All the problems you mentioned I had as well. Almost killed me once when it switched off on the highway while in the passing lane (CPS).
No way. Similar issues with my wifes ML500. Best thing I ever did was sell it - don't get me started with how much money I lost on trade. Almost 30K.
I loved my 01 Mercedes ML until its first problem. Then the next. And the next. I bought a cheap Toyota Corolla just because it was so unreliable. My Mercedes is parked off (for what its worth). Can't even afford to get rid of it. You are not alone.
Guess where my ML is? At the dealer. LOL. Expecting another bill that is way into the thousands. I wish I never owned this royal piece of junk.
Ignore the comment from the person that supports Mercedes. He obviously hasn't owned a W163 class.
With Mercedes, a good car isn't the norm, it's a rarity. Most of them are lemons. I know this because I am a long time Mercedes fan. Owned them since the early 80's. Toward the late 90's till now, every Mercedes I have has been a bad vehicle. My latest is the ML AMG. I still have it, but hate it. I miss my old 300D.
I have given up on them. I do a lot of my own maintenance, and my brother is a tech at Mercedes, so a lot of my parts I am just out for the cost. But it's really added up. I really feel for you guys that don't have contacts at Mercedes.
My next vehicle will definitely not be a Mercedes. Maybe someone overseas can comment? I don't know if these bad models/builds are unique to us in the United States? I have a friend in England that swears by his Mercedes W163. But he paid a LOT more for his. I don't know if us in the US and being jipped by build quality because we pay less for them? Anyone else want to weigh in on this?
Hi guys, similar problems in Aussie with these cars. Got one in the carport; it's not too bad, and a good friend of mine, his is in my shed with the engine pulled down, about to replace the rings in cyl 3 & cyl 1. Seem to be broken.
Mine is pretty reliable, but I do all the servicing myself, and try to keep on top of it, couldn't keep it if MB had to do it all. I like the car, but it is high maintenance.
Don't have all the problems you guys have had, and it's got 180k on it now. Must have been built early in the week...
I am another proud BMW X5 owner, ex ML500 owner. Mercedes has lost another customer in me. Never again.
Mercedes is officially ranked lower than almost any other vehicle in terms of quality. Read the CNN article.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2003/10/27/351665/index.htm
My buddy bought the same car (an ML350 I think). Paid just over $40K new off the lot. He donated it a year ago to Goodwill. Could not even sell it so he thought the tax deduction would be better than nothing. We use his example with the Mercedes as the rear end of all our jokes. LOL. Can't believe that GM and Chrysler are going under when p-o-s like this are being made. Go figure? Sorry you are having all those problems but you should have known better when you had your first problem.
Regarding the Mercedes ML430 - I have a 1999 Mercedes and wouldn't take one if it was free! We have put so much money into this beast that I could scream, replaced the fuel pump, power steering hoses, the poser window panel, and now having major transmission problems. With all the money spent on repairs, we could have paid cash for a new car!
Wow, what a string of woeful stories about the 1999 Mercedes ML430.
By the way, Consumer Reports Spring 2008 Buyers Guide shows the 1999 M-Series as being "Average" for reliability in the "Used Car Verdict." Another reason I don't put have much faith in Consumer Reports.
Its not just you folks in the US. We have the same problem with Mercedes over in the UK. Don't know if you get "TOP GEAR" over the pond but by the last rating, Mercedes has fallen badly from grace. We consider it one of the worst engineered vehicles in Europe.
The BBC has a regular motoring series called Top Gear. Every year they perform the Top Gear motoring survey in the UK and their 2004 survey got feedback from 52630 television viewers and readers of their website.
All participants were asked to reveal how every aspect of car ownership experience matched up to the expectations they had when they first took delivery of their car. Each car is given an overall satisfaction score out of 100. This is made up from:
- Reliability (20%)
- Build quality (25%)
- The driving experience (21%)
- Ownership costs (13%)
- Customer care (21%)
For the 2004 survey, cars built between 2001 and 2003 were included. Data analysis experts ensured a minimum of 50 verified responses were received for each model before the results could be published.
In terms of the above 5 ownership experience factors, the Mercedes ML came in dead last at 142 out of 142 models. It was also rated amongst the 10 least reliable vehicles, coming in 139th out of 142 models. Mercedes itself came in 29th out of 34 manufacturers.
The survey can be found here:
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/survey_2004/02/
I was going to buy an ML430 a few years ago. Had an awesome deal on it. I saw the below on a forum website and didn't buy it. After reading what you have went though, I am glad I didn't. I will never purchase a Mercedes product. Why take chances on a company that does this to its consumers.
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If your Mercedes doesn't have problems
Don't worry
It will.
Here's an email I sent to journalists at major newsmagazines.
Dear Journalist.
I enjoyed speaking with you today. I have included my list of Mercedes problems below.
I wish I had read your article before purchasing my Mercedes Benz ML430, which has had 50 or more problems, and 60 days of service in 4 years. It helps potential buyers make a more informed choice.
I had to return the vehicle on 20 or more occasions to Autonation (the dealer) for warranty repairs. All Mercedes is willing to offer as compensation is $1000, when purchasing a new Mercedes. Despite the many defects Mercedes Benz has not offered to repurchase the car.
The problems included a defective brake system, a defective electrical system, a defective navigation system, a defective washer system, a defective AC system, defective locks, defective trim, defective doors, windows and sunroof and a defective entertainment system.
In addition it often took 1 month to get the vehicle serviced. Often the dealer did not fix the problem on their first attempt, resulting in having to return the vehicle again for repair of the same defect.
I have attached a more detailed list of the problems below.
I get the impression that 1 out of 4 have many problems (not a formal survey).
I look forward to your next article about Mercedes Benz quality problems.
Sincerely
c.
50 Mercedes Problems in 4 Years
1. Brake system defect (pump leak)
2. Wiper motor defect
3. Door problems (latch noises)
4. Door problems (maladjusted door)
5. Command center malfunction (dead navigation system)
6. Door lock malfunction (right rear door actuator)
7. Washer reservoir leaking
8. Lamp switch defect (stop lamp)
9. Fuel filter problem
10. Door lock malfunction (gas door actuator)
11. AC problem. (AC fan speed switch knob malfunction)
12. Door lock malfunction (gas door actuator)
13. Trim problem (sunroof seal fell off)
14. Door problem (Rattle from inside left rear door - loose metal washer)
15. Trim problem (3rd brake lamp cover pops off even when re-secured
16. Trim problem (rear inside trim panel defective)
17. Window washer nozzle defective on right side
18. Command center malfunction (dead navigation system)
19. Door lock problem
20. Lamp problem (defective check engine light - right rear 02 sensor)
21. Rotor in rear changed at only 27500 miles
22. Sunroof shade problems
23. Sunroof guide clip missing
24. Sunroof shade problems
25. Trim problem (left outer seat trim cracked)
26. Sun roof frame defect
27. Seatbelt jammed (left rear)
28. Brake system defect (pad wear sensor defect)
29. Defect fuel door lock actuator
30. Rear door latch replacement
31. AC problem (system not cooling properly)
32. Sunroof motor connectors rattling
33. AC problem (blower motor rattle)
34. Window problem (switch bad)
35. Command center problem (CD changer error)
36. Window problem (clicking front left window)
37. Door lock problem (rear right/left door actuator defect)
38. Door problem (insulation inside right door damaged due to melting glue)
39. Command center problem (CD changer error)
40. Trim crack (leather on steering wheel cracked)
41. Door problem (rear right/left door actuator defect)
42. AC problems (blower rattle)
43. AC problems (clicking sounds)
44. Trim crack (cracks in duct tape on door)
45. Door problem (rear left door actuator defect)
46. Washer reservoir crack
47. Right window washer nozzle defect
48. Lock problem (front left door actuator defect)
49. Car manuals taken from my car during service
50. Power steering problem (replacement of clamp for power steering hose due to possible fluid loss at radiator)