I came upon this site after days of sifting through HUNDREDS of posts on various sites with the SAME problem.

I would like to know WHY this car has not been RECALLED. Not only is the problem annoying it is EXTREMELY dangerous.

Once the dash lights up, the mileage gauge goes to zero and you have no idea how fast you are going and then, when you come to a stop light and try to accelerate you can't get out of first gear.

I was almost REAR ENDED and mangled because of this faulty ESP unit if that really is the fix. . .I have seen where other owners buy the unit and the car continues with the same MALFUNCTION!

I purchased a used 2002 ML 320. Recently all of the brake lights came on as my daughter was driving this vehicle on the highway. She said the car jerked and began to quickly reduce speed, a dangerous thing on an interstate highway. I restarted the car later that evening and it seemed fine. I headed for home and after driving for about 7 or 8 minutes all of the brake lights once again came on. I was forced to pull over. I turned the car off for a few minutes, started it up and proceeded home only to have all of the lights come on again after driving approx 7 or 8 minutes. I took the vehicle to the dealer and he said I need a new ESP Control Unit which would run me about $1, 700. With three in college I don't have that kind of money so the car sits in my driveway. I went on line and low and behold it seems a lot of ESP Control Unit complaints were lodged (among many other complaints) about the 2001 and 2002 ML in particular. I think it is clearly a safety issue and the company should be forced to conduct a recall to replace the ESP Control Unit. It seems to be a software problem, more so than a mechanical one and accordingly should not happen. I contacted MB and they said the vehicle was too old. I said given this is a software issue age is not a factor. I asked them to replace the ESP Control unit at their expense and they refused. This is my third MB and it will be my last. Even if I find the part elsewhere, they still soak you because they must "code the part to the vehicle". I am considering filing a class action lawsuit. If anyone is experiencing similar problems please contact me at robertpsutton@aol.com.