VehicleVerdict

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 32 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.3 times the median M-Class year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 11 M-Class years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (25% of the total).

32

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

5

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other M-Class years?

M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted32 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 28 complaints2000: 32 complaints2001: 9 complaints2002: 5 complaints2003: 12 complaints2004: 0 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints
M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all M-Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering825%
Brakes825%
Electrical System825%
Speed Control26%
Fuel System26%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Engine13%
Other13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V208000Speed ControlMarch 31, 2011 · 136,751 units

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 ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH THE OTHER MEANS OF DEACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIVE. SPECIFICALLY, WHERE THE DRIVER PUMPS THE BRAKES RATHER THAN APPLYING CONSISTENT PEDAL FORCE, THE LEVEL OF FORCE REQUIRED MAY BE UNUSUALLY HIGH.

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.

08V465000SteeringSeptember 17, 2008 · 125,228 units

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 TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003, WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

03V121000SteeringMarch 27, 2003 · 211,000 units

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 SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

00V352000Seat BeltsOctober 30, 2000 · 16,246 units

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.

00V203000Seat BeltsJuly 26, 2000 · 4,354 units

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 BUZZER ACTIVATION EXCEEDS THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN THE STANDARD.

Consequence

DRIVERS MAY BECOME CONFUSED REGARDING THE PURPOSE OF THE CHIME.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SYSTEM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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 $45.00 FOR THE SERVICE>.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 15, 2003

“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 A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 24, 2012

“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 A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 24, 2012

“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 WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 15, 2011

“THIS IS EXPERIENCED BY MOST OF THE ML DRIVERS: WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR JUST STOPS AND HERE IS WHAT MERCEDES SAID AND WHAT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO MB RESEARCH: THE GAS INSIDE SOME UNDERGROUND TANKS DISSOLVES THE PROTECTIVE LINER. THE LINER ENDS UP AS A GOOEY SUBSTANCE IN OUR TANKS. AS LONG AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 3, 2004

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — common questions

Is the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 32 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 11 M-Class years. It is one of the M-Class years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 M-Class problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (8 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), steering (8 complaints).

Does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz M-Class years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the M-Class years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among M-Class years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.