Consumer is requesting a refund for the recall #2003-040005 on her 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320. The power steering reservoir, seal, pump, fluid and steering hose clamp were all replaced. Recall 03V121000.

- Forest Park, GA, USA

Consumer wants to be reimbursed for the repair work on his 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 after receiving a recall notice for the power steering hose clamp. Recall # 03V121000.

- Scarsdale, NY, USA

Recently, my 2000 ML320 would end up cranking while starting. Took 2 attempts to get the car started up. Took my Mercedes to the local authorized shop and was told that the fuel pump went out. Had the fuel pump replaced & filter & the new updated lines. Previously back in December 2005, power steering line was damaged. Serviced at same dealership. A small hole was discovered on the pipe and power steering went out. Almost made me hit the garage.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

: the contact stated while shifting into reverse in a slippery parking lot the vehicle lost power steering. Upon inspection the contact determined the power steering fluid leaked because the return line disconnected from the rack due to improper crimping. Both lines were rebuilt by the contact. Updated 04/06/06.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

Power steering failure - at least 4 times. Luckily no injuries or deaths. Most recent failure occurred 150 miles from home in mountainous region.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

I took an 8 miles round trip to homedepot in the morning and parked the vehicle in the garage. @ hours later, I needto make another trip and as I was backing out the vehicle, I noticed a small puddle of shiny stuff on the garage floor. Since I have read about steering hose clamp failure before, I immediately park the vehicle and jack it up to have close inspection. To no surprise, the upper clamp was loose. So I tighten up the clamp and took a short 2 miles test drive. Re-inspected the clamp, found no leaks. If I haven't read about the clamp failure before and let the leak continue, I don't want to think about the consequences. Thus the complain.

- Frisco, TN, USA

Re: investigation PE 03-006. 2000 Mercedes ML320.in [xxx] vehicle engine compartment fire. Vehicle was parked in driveway 8 hours before fire was spotted at approx 4:00 a.M. vehicle was always serviced my schumacher Mercedes of scottsdale Arizona. Last service was approx Sep 10, 2004. I do not know if repair to power steering hose assembly was ever performed. Had the vehicle been parked in our garage, there would have been possible injuries or deaths. I am extremely upset. Vehicle was parked nose up on an incline. Insurance company has been notified, but I have not contacted Mercedes pending your advice. Updated 07/25/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Fountain Hills, AZ, USA

Request for reimbursement for replacement of hose clamp. Nar 07/18/2003.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Third time for steering loss - 3. power steering hose fell off, draining all the fluid, causing loss of steering abilities, and almost caused a serious accident. 2. two months earlier, power steering hose clamp came loose, loss of fluid and steering, and almost caused a serious accident. 1. and, six months prior to the second incident, power steering hose clamp fell off, loss of fluid and steering, and almost caused a serious accident. Dealership has so far replaced the power steering clamp twice and the hose once.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

Consumer stated that when she took vehicle to dealer for regular maintenance she was told that they would repair the recall regarding the power steering fluid cooling hose while doing the scheduled maintenance. Consumer stated a week later she entered the vehicle and saw oil/fluid on the ground. She then called the dealer, and was told to bring the vehicle in. Consumer brought vehicle to dealer an the appointed time. 2 days after vehicle was repaired it locked up. Consumer did not believe that the vehicle was repaired properly.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

I brought the car to the dealer (hbl Mercedes Benz of tyson's corner, va) in August 2003 due to a recall to fix a possible problem with the power steering hose clamp. The car had no problems whatsoever before bringing it to the dealer. Hbl performed the recall work and they actually made it worse. The hose clamp was installed improperly which led to power steering failure while my wife was driving on the freeway. We had roadside assistance refill the power steering fluid and tried to get in touch with hbl to get it fixed yet again. After a few days, I finally got them to look at the car. They again tried to replace the clamp in Sept. 2003. Yesterday, Nov. 25, 2003, my wife was driving to work and lost power steering again.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

I was severely injured when my 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 failed to steer in an attempted U-turn resulting in impact with a tree. I was hospitalized with three facial fractures (eye socket, jaw, and nose). The air bags did not deploy. The reason for the accident was failure of the cars steering mechanism which has subsequently been recalled. I also feel the dealership lied in connection with the accident. The car (SUV) sustained major damage. I have an ongoing medical issue.

- Campbell, CA, USA

When the consumer made a turn in a driveway the pressure hose for power steering failed and made it difficult to steer the vehicle. Mr scc

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Power steering fluid hose came unattached form the radiator (clamp failed) power steering fluid sprayed over the engine compartment. No fire resulted. Lost power steering assist. Called Mercedes road repair - they replaced the clamp with a new "improved" clamp. They charged $45 for the service>.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

Loss of power steering while driving. Informed that power steering hose clamp failed. Repaired by Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance, informed that this failure occurred because of the weather changes, but failure was common.

- Darien, CT, USA

3 power steering hose clamps loose on 2000 Mercedes ML320 with ~45,000 miles. One on lower radiator required 3 full turns to tighten. Had this hose come off power steering fluid would have leaked out and control of the vehicle would have been very difficult to control.

- Eden Prairire, MN, USA

Loss of power steering while driving. Vehicle nearly impossible to maneuver at slower speeds. Cause: Hose came off power steering system and fluid was lost.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

Power steering failure. The fluid was gushing out. Dealer repaired with new power steering return hose and clamp.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

While driving consumer made a right hand turn and steering became very hard to turn, consumer hit a curve. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that hose carrying power steering fluid broke. Consumer feels this is dangerous if traveling on highway.

- Pacific Palicades, CA, USA

While I was making a right hand turn, the steering wheel "locked." I put the word "locked" in quotes, because the hose system to the power steering broke and the power was lost. A Mercedes M-class is a heavy vehicle, and I was unable to turn the steering wheel. I was lucky. There was no person or car to the right of us and I drove the car into the right hand curb. This happened in 4/02. The car was towred to w.I. simonson, a Mercedes dealorship in santa monica, California. The car was returned to me and the same thing happened a couple of weeks later on May 10, 2002. This time I was backing out of my driveway when the steering wheel froze and I could see brown fluid in a big puddle. It was towed again to the same dealership and I was told the problem was either 1)something defective with the metal piece attached to the hose; or 2) a defective clamp which did not hold the hose to thepipe. Anyhow, I am very worried about driving this car. I know I was lucky. I could have been killed/injured or killed/injured someone else if the failures had not happened in such safe places. I notice one other steering wheel failure listed for the 2000 Mercedes ML320. Thank you.

- Pacific Palisades, CA, USA