NHTSA Complaint #10960216 — 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10960216
Vehicle	2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500
Component	ENGINE
Date of Incident	February 2, 2017
Date Filed	March 12, 2017
Mileage	169,650 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	CA

Consumer Description

LOSS OF POWER STEERING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN BREAK OF IDLER ARM PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT SHREDDING OF BELT. PROBLEM IS THE PULLEY IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED IN TWO, LEAVING 1/2 THE PULLEY AND SHREDDING THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED AT DRIVING SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MILEAGE AROUND 169,650 ON 2003 ML500. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE LANE NEAREST FREEWAY EXITS. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ABLE TO STEER INTO A PARKING LOT. LUCKY IT WAS 'RUSH' HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOW ON SURFACE STREETS. INCREDIBLE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO DIFFICULTY TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY GERMAN MECHANIC FAMILIAR WITH REPAIR OF MB ENGINES IN GERMANY.

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