Found identical problem per NHTSA action # EA08009 defect investigation. Constant loss of brake pressure. Warning lights indicated low brake fluid. Found fluid under car and in front left wheel-well. Upon inspection, found brake hard line from master cylinder was chaffed from adjacent fuel line, causing small pin-hole leak in brake line. When brakes were applied, brake fluid would spray out, resulting in insufficient braking pressure to hold vehicle at stops. Contacted Mercedes dealership service department, they were un-aware of any problems associated with this. Estimated cost of repair was >$1000. ($112 for part, $975 for 6hrs labor) part number: A1634201526 purchased length of hardline myself at parts store. Constructed and installed my own replacement part for $155 including purchase of tools to complete job.

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA

While driving, ML500 began to brake randomly. Also ABS turned on while stopping and accelerating. Also brakes were constantly screeching. Warning lights for ABS, bas, and washer fluid. Fluid level was fine. I told dealer about these problems before warranty had expired. They ran a diagnostics test and found nothing was wrong. They advised me to bring the vehicle in should the same events occur. (the random breaking began to occur after warranty expired). The problem continued to persist and with the failure of ABS system, I brought the ML500 back to the service center. After two days, I retrieved the vehicle and the cost to repair was $1100. "conveniently" they found the same problems I spoke of before after the warranty was up. We had no choice but to pay to restore function to the vehicle. After taking it home we noticed that the there was no sound in the vehicle. The sound and navigation voice worked perfectly before getting service. And afterwards it did not. We called the service center, and they said to bring it back at our earliest convenience, and they will fix the problem. I assume that this was a mistake on their part. When I returned to restore the sound they approached me and told me that a "voice modulation unit" beneath the driver's seat had gone out, and that it would cost $750 parts and labor to repair. They tried to explain to me that this was just a coincidence, and that the unit was in no way related or circuit linked to the sensors they replaced. I believe that they must have mistakenly shorted it. We have spent almost $10,000 in the past year for repairs to this vehicle and one other Mercedes. They did not good will credit the work so I did not accept the repair service. There is no such thing as a $750 coincidence. The sound worked for almost 80,000 miles before service and now right after it failed... I don't think so. The Mercedes service center refused to do any work for what we believe to be their responsibility.

- Carteret, NJ, USA

One day after washing the car, the rear brake sticks until pressing the gas pedal and force the brake to release. It makes a loud cracking noise during the force release. The noise is so loud that you may think you hit something from your bumper if you don't know the problem. Mbz said that's normal because of the rust overnight. They did took the brake apart, clean and put them back together. They told me it's my responsiblity to drive the car after I wash to car to get rid of the excess water within the brake pads. Yesterday, it was a rainly day and I parked the car in the garage after driving. It happened again next day. I don't know how can I drive the car to get rid of the water when there is a rainly day. I'm still waiting for the manager to give me an answer and I don't think they will do anyting to resolve the problem since they claimed that this is normal for this brake.

- Fremont, CA, USA

Warranty issues and/or manufacturing defects that should be covered by warranty. At the first 10,000 miles, the consumer noticed brake travel was too long and was advised by an service advisor that this was normal. However at less than 3,000 miles, the brakes were still not adequate and there was a squeaking noise from the rear brakes when braking. This time, the consumer was advised that the rear brake pads were gone and the rotors were scored due to too much city driving and the service advisor would not honor repairs under warranty.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA