2008 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEAL. THERE WAS FOUR INCHES OF WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE HOUSING AND THE POWER LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY SUBMERGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

REAR HATCH WOULD NOT COMPETELY CATCH WHEN CLOSING. IT REQUIRED OPENING AND RECLOSING SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COULD CATCH. SOON THEREAFTER IT WOULD NOT OPEN USING THE AUTOMATIC RELEASE. IT HAD TO BE OPENED USING THE MANUAL RELEASE ON THE INTERIOR SIDE OF THE DOOR. HAD TO CHANGE THE MECHANISM THAT CONTROLLED THE LOCKING AN OPENING OF THAT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE R&R STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WHERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,483.

A SEAL FOR THE ENGINE OIL COOLER FAILED. THE COOLER LEAKED OIL ONTO THE UNDER-ENGINE PAN AND WAS NOT DETECTED AS A LEAK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HAD THE COOLER FAILED COMPLETELY IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC. THE SEAL FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BUT SHOULD NOT OCCUR UNDER NORMAL USE, WHICH IS HOW THIS VEHICLE IS USED. *TR

RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. REAR OF VEHICLE HAS UNEVEN LEVEL. COULD AFFECT HANDLING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE SEAL OF THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V076000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

WHILE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BEGAN TO GROWL AND CONTINUED TO GET WORSE UNTIL REPLACED AT A DEALER. IT SEEMS IT IS PREMATURE FOR A BEARING TO FAIL, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED AT ABOUT 121000 MILES. *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID RESULTING IN DIMINISHED OR TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THOUGH TOTAL LOSS DID NOT HAPPEN YET, THIS COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. 1998-2004 CLASS WAS RECALLED FOR THAT VERY REASON; WHY NOT THE MODEL YEARS THEREAFTER THAT HAVE SAME PROBLEM; LIKELY IN SAME FREQUENCY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING THROUGH THE AUTOMATED CAR WASH CONVEYOR AT APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

CONSUMER RECENTLY NOTICED HARD, WHINING SOUNDS FROM STEERING/TURNING THE WHEEL ESPECIALLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. SEEMS LIKE NOISE COMES FROM STEERING COLUMN. NOISE DISSIPATES AFTER CAR WARMS UP OR WHEN YOU SHUT IT OFF AND START UP AGAIN. *TR

AT 57,000 THE RACK AND PINION SEALS WENT OUT ON THE STEERING MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. REAR SEAT BELTS HAD NEVER BEEN USED UNTIL 12/1/14 AT WHICH TIME I FOUND THEY WERE NOT USABLE. THEY WERE LOCKED INTO POSITION. THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SAID HE OWNED THE SAME MODEL AND HAD TO REPLACE HIS TWICE. DEALER AND FACTORY BOTH REFUSED TO REPAIR EITHER ITEM. *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID RESULTING IN DIMINISHED OR TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THOUGH TOTAL LOSS DID NOT HAPPEN YET, THIS COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. 1998-2004 CLASS WAS RECALLED FOR THAT VERY REASON; WHY NOT THE MODEL YEARS THEREAFTER THAT HAVE SAME PROBLEM; LIKELY IN SAME FREQUENCY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES ML 350. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTED PREVENTING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT FROM BEING INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,250.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE SPARE TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS A RED LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PASSENGER DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT GASKET AND CONTROL UNIT SAM MODULE WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,500. UPDATED 10/03/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REFUNDED. UPDATED 5/12/2015 *JS

THE ORIGINAL SYMPTOMS WERE THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO GET JERKY (FLAT SPOTS) MEANING THERE WAS POWER ASSIST FROM 12 O'CLOCK TO 2 O'CLOCK, THEN HARD EFFORT FROM 2 -4 O'CLOCK AND SO ON. IT INITIALLY WAS DRIVABLE BUT AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MORE MILES IT HAS BECOME DANGEROUS, AS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT MUST BE USED WHEN TURNING, THEN GETS EASY, THEN TIGHT. I HAVE CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO FLUID LEAKS AND THE RESERVOIR IS FULL. MY MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT, AND HE SAID IT APPEARED THAT THE STEERING RACK IS BAD. HE RECOMMENDED WE FLUSH AND CHANGE ALL THE FLUID WITH MBZ APPROVED:236.3 FIRST TO SEE IF IT IMPROVED. IT DID NOT AND HE SAID I WAS LOOKING AT $2000+ TO REPLACE THE RACK. AFTER OWNING TWO MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, I'VE BEEN LOYAL BUT HAVING ONLY PURCHASED THIS 2008 ML350 FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND ONLY 65K MILES I FIND IT DISCONCERTING THAT I'VE READ SO MUCH ON THESE PREMATURE STEERING RACK PROBLEMS ON THESE VEHICLES. I CHECKED WITH MB, ONLY TO LEARN THAT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR 'RECALLS'. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, AND MB NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED BEFORE MB IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS ISSUE??! *TR

MERCEDES ML350 WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, FRONT END DROVE STRAIGHT INTO WOODED AREA STRIKING A TREE JUST RIGHT OF DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP WITH SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BUMPER AND HOOD PUSHING INTO RADIATOR...DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED...BOTH SIDE CURTAIN BAGS DEPLOYED...LUCKILY WITH LOW SPEED AND SEAT BELT ON DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED... *TR

MY ML350 KEPT BLOWING IT'S BRAKE LIGHTS. AFTER AWHILE OF THIS I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS OBVIOUSLY WRONG. AT THIS POINT BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT IN TO FIND THAT THE SOCKETS WERE BURNT OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE WIRING ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD A FIX FOR IT ALL BUT AT A PRICE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE C SERIES HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY ARE THERE NO RECALL FOR THE ML OR THE M SERIES? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, DURING MONTH OF APRIL 2014, DIFFERENT ERROR MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR ON DASH INCLUDING ABS (BRAKE SYSTEM), SRS (AIR BAGS), AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING, HARD TO TURN WHEEL, A FEW TAIL/PARKING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. AT SHOP, THEY SAID SENSORS WERE BAD, AND DUE TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($272) BUT SAID TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS WOULD COST $800. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SAID UNDER $100 TO FIX AIR BAG SENSORS. NOW, AUGUST 2014, TRUNK LIFT MOTORS ARE KONKING OUT AND THE LOCK IS NOT LATCHING, POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING, HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SHUT BEFORE EVERYTHING FALLS OUT. ALSO OTHER MOTORS FOR WINDOWS AND SUNROOF WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN TURNING LEFT THE PARKING BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT POPS UP ON DASH....ALSO OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY THE WHOLE GPS SYSTEM WAS BLANK, TOTALLY WIPED OF ALL INFO DESTINATIONS, HISTORY ETC FROM PAST YEAR, ONLY A MAP SHOWS NOW. *TR

RACK AND PINION LEAKED ALL THE FLUID DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. I REPLACED THE POWERSTERING PUMP FEW MONTH AGO AND PAID CLOSE TO $1200 (POSSIBLE THE BACK RACK DAMAGE IT THEN). NOW THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER WANTS CLOSE TO 2,000 TO FIX IT, THEY ARE USING REFURBISHED PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MB IS NOT SUPPLYING NEW STEERING RACKS ANYMORE, MB ONLY SUPPORTS REPAIRING KITS TO REFURBISH DEFECTIVE ONES. THIS IS COMPLETELY INSANE, FIRST THEY PUT A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE VEHICLE, THAT THEY CHARGE YOU AN ARM AND LEG TO REPLACE IT WITH A REFURBISHED ONE. E RECALL IS A MUST AND MB SHOULD BE FORCED TO PUT NEW PARTS AS THE STEERING SYSTEM IS VERY CRUCIAL TO SAFETY. *TR

LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT.. ONCE PULLED OUT, THEY DO NOT RETRACT.. LOOKING ON MERCEDES FORUMS, THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES FAILS TO ADDRESS.. *TR

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT WITHIN SHORT PERIOD OF EACH OTHER. CHECKED WITH DEALER, WANTED TO REPLACE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. CHECKED ONLINE, TURNS OUT TO BE FAULTY WIRING/INSTALL FOR WHICH MB ACTUALLY HAS A REPAIR KIT. SEEMS TO BE QUITE A FREQUENT PROBLEM. IN FACT THE MB C CLASS WAS RECENTLY RECALLED FOR THAT SAME REASON, WHY NOT THE ML350??? *TR

MY WIFE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WOULD NOT "CATCH" OR RETRACT AFTER BEING PULLED OUT. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY VERIFIED THE TENSIONER WAS BAD AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER & SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY $551. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING ON THIS LOW OF MILES. IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT BASIC SAFETY DEVICE. THEY HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK WHICH MADE ME THINK THIS COULD BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID MY POWER STEERING FLUID WAS EMPTY AND I HAD A LEAK. I DECIDED TO MAKE A APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED MY POWER STEERING RACK HEAD RESEALED. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MERCEDES NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS BESIDES MINE LISTED ON HERE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE SUCH SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS BRAND AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE, ITS RIDICULOUS. *TR

WHILE PARKING MY CAR, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS, IT SUDDENLY, AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A PARKED CAR AND CRASHED INTO A TREE IN A YARD LOCATED ABOUT 12 YARDS OR SO AWAY, SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR, SIDE OF THE CAR, AND CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO BE RELEASED. THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE THAT AUTOMATICALLY OCCURRED. I SUFFERED BRUISES IN THE FOREHEAD AND RIGHT HAND, AND LACERATION OF THE LEFT KNEE.

THE POWERSTEERING PUMP WENT BAD AT 72,000. STARTED TO MAKE NOISE AND HARD TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT TOOK MY BY SURPRISE AND ALMOST CRASHED. DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS QUOTED 2,500 TO FIX. ITS A SHAME FOR A MB TO HAVE POWERSTEERING ISSUES AT 70K MILES.

EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WHILE. STEERING MECHANISM MAKES A TERRIBLE, MOANING, WAILING, SCREECHING NOISE. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL DIRECTION OF VEHICLE. *JB

ATM AT BANK WAS NOT OPERATING AND WAS GOING INSIDE BANK, AT REGIONS BANK IN HENDERSONVILLE TN. WHEN CAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THAT COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKING. THE RESULT BEING,HITTING TWO CARS, WHEN TRYING TO GO BETWEEN THEM, THEN STILL COULDN'T STOP UNTIL NOSE DIVE IN ROCK LINED FOUR FOOT DITCH . *TR

CARS STALLS WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. CARS DOES NOT START, LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR

MY MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR HP 255/50 R19 TIRES ARE LOSING CHUCKS OF RUBBER. THE TIRES HAVE MULTIPLE CHUCKS OF RUBBER MISSING ALL THROUGH THE TIRE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND I AM WORRIED FOR MY SAFETY REGARDING THESE TIRES. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MICHELIN AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THESE AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ARE EXTREMELY POOR QUALITY AND UNSAFE. I AM AFRAID THE WHOLE TIRE IS GOING TO FALL APART WHILE I'M DRIVING.

MERCEDES HAS MANUFACTURED A DEFECTIVE ENGINE OIL COOLER SEAL. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON EVERY DIESEL ENGINE AT A COST OF AROUND 4000$. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED. ONCE AT 85000 MILES IN A PARKING LOT AT WORK IN GREENVILLE TEXAS. THIS TIME IT WAS WITH A REBUILT A1CARBIN RACK AND PINION. THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT LOCKED UP. AFTER IT FAILED THE STEERING OF THE CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE AT SLOW SPEED EVEN FOR A MAN. ALMOST HIT TWO PEOPLE BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOIDED IT. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING GEARS. WOULD "REV" UP THEN NOT SHIFT AND NOT ALLOW MY CAR TO ACCELERATE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING CARS TO BACK UP BEHIND ME AND PUTTING ME IN DANGER. AT OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO EVEN ACCELERATE. HAVE TO CONSISTENTLY RESTART MY CAR IN DANGEROUS PLACES ON THE ROAD TO GET IT TO EVENTUALLY WORK. WENT BY BODY SHOP AND TURNS OUT TO BE A SPEED SENSOR CODE ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NEEDS SOME FORM OF A VALVE BODY REPAIR, BUT UNSURE TO WHAT EXTENT. THIS IS ONE OF MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

LATCH ON TAILGATE WILL NOT CATCH. THE GATE WILL CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY BUT WILL NOT LATCH. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ITEM, THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY DOESN'T MERCEDES RECALL THIS FEATURE. *TR

2008 MERCEDES ML320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL ISSUES. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE REACHED 50,000 MILES, HE BEGAN TO HEAR AN UNUSUAL SOUND WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT THE NOISE WOULD SOON RETURN. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL. HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING RACK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE METAL PART ON THE STEERING LACERATED HER HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

ON TWO OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC/OPERATIONTHE ENGINE STALLED ON TURNING THE CAR. ENGINE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO UNBLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ CLAIMED THE INCIDENT -A DID NEVER HAPPEN AND B-COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

I HAVE OWNED A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 SINCE IT WAS NEW AND IT NOW HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST WEEKEND I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THAT GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WHEEL "SPOKE". THAT IS THE MAIN PART OF THE WHEEL HAS FAILED AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE WHEEL IS ORIGINAL OEM SUPPLIED AND HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED. ALL OF THE DRIVING HAS BEEN BY MYSELF ON CITY STREETS AND FREEWAYS WITH NO ABUSIVE DRIVING, OR OFF-ROAD ACTIVITY. IN FACT THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN ON A NON-PAVED ROAD. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SO POTHOLES AS YOU WOULD FIND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE US ARE NOT AN ISSUE. MY FEELING IS THAT THIS IS A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OR DESIGN OF THE WHEEL. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED ME THAT IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON IT IN THE PRESENT CONDITION THE WHEEL WILL FAIL AT SOME POINT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHICH WILL SURELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED AND SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MASSIVE HEAT PENETRATED A SMALL HOLE WITHIN THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,200.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN A POP SOUND CAME FROM THE SUNROOF. THE CONTACT THEN REALIZED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED, BUT DID NOT FALL COMPLETELY APART. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE SUNROOF AND FOUND NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE BUT ADVISED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD MORE THAN LIKELY BEEN STRUCK BY A ROCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON OPEN ROAD WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY SEAT, MY SHIRT, AND MY PANTS. I SAW A SMALL FLAME AND FELT A BURNING ON MY BACK AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. *TR

WE TOOK THE 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 IN TO A LOCAL MB DEALER FOR A SCHEDULE A SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND ASKED THAT AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AXEL BE INSPECTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT VALVE ASSEMBLY REPLACED. WE CALLED A LOCAL SHOP TO GET A SECOND QUOTE FOR THE WORK AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULDN'T QUOTE US OR TOUCH IT BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE MODEL AND YEAR -- NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 08V682000. WE CALLED MB BACK, AND THEY TOLD US OUR VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WE COULD REQUEST TO HAVE A POST-WARRANTY COVERAGE OR PARTIAL COVERAGE DETERMINATION MADE. THIS IS STILL UP IN THE AIR, BUT I'M ANTICIPATING THEY DECLINE PARTIAL OR FULL POST-WARRANTY COVERAGE AND WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW THIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE AFFECTED POPULATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES, CONTACT 4X4, SIZE 255-50-R19, DOT HWLHNXXN3807, SERIAL E402336540223360. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED. THESE FAILURES INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A REAR END COLLISION. WHEN THE LEFT ASSEMBLY FAILED IN 2011, I ATTRIBUTED IT TO BAD LUCK. WHEN THE RIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 66000 MILES IN 2012, IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT MERCEDES MAY HAVE A PROBLEM THAT DESERVES A RECALL ACTION. INSTEAD OF COSTING ABOUT $5 TO $10 FOR LIGHT BULBS THESE ASSEMBLIES COST ABOUT $300 EACH TO REPLACE AND INSTALL. $600 IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE SOME PEOPLE TO NOT REPAIR THEM AND THUS CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. AT 65000 MILES I ALSO ENCOUNTERED SOME VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR OIL LEAKS THAT MAKE MESSES ON MY DRIVEWAY AND CAUSE WATER POLLUTION WHEN THE OIL RUNS OFF. HAVE YOU HAD ANY REPORTS OF REAR SEAL LEAKS, OIL PAN LEAKS OR OIL COOLER LEAKS ON THIS VEHICLE?

MARCH 2011, I WAS HEADING HOME. I WAS TALKING ON THE HANDS FREE PHONE SYSTEM, AND IMMEDIATELY I FELT A JERK AND HEARD A NOISE. I LOOKED AT THE CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE PANEL READ "N" NEUTRAL INSTEAD OF "D" DRIVE. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED INTO NEURAL ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH!!!! AT THIS POINT I AM IN THE FAST LANE AND HYSTERICAL. I PRESSED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE SPEED DECREASED TO 40MPH AND CARS ARE NOW RACING PAST AND BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, A POLICE OFFICER SPOTTED ME AND PHYSICALLY HIT MY CAR AND MOVED IT OVER TO THE SIDE WHILE I WAS IN IT. I EXPLAINED WHAT OCCURRED AS HE YELLED "ARE YOU CRAZY YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHAT HAPPENED". I ASKED HIM FOR A POLICE REPORT AND HE IMMEDIATELY HAD TO DEPART. THE NEXT DAY, I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS MY CONTROL PANEL NEEDED TO BE RESET, AN APOLOGY WAS GIVEN AND TEST DRIVES OCCURRED. I WAS ASKED DID I TOUCH ANY BUTTONS AND REPLIED NO. THEY RECREATED THE SCENE AND CONDUCTED A TEST DRIVE. THE CAR DID NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL EVEN WHEN IT WAS TAMPERED WITH WHILE DRIVING. ON 8 MAY 2012, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN! MY CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL TWICE IN 1 DAY! THE SECOND TIME I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. TODAY IS 15 MAY 2012, AND MY CAR IS WITH THE DEALER NOW. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING MY ML350 2008 MODEL. MUCH WORSE, THE DEALER ALLUDES TO ASKING ME HAVE I TOUCHED ANYTHING. IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN A SAFETY MESSAGE SHOULD BE POSTED, WARNING IF YOU "TOUCH" A BUTTON YOUR CAR WILL SWITCH TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY. I EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT TILL I AM HURT OR INJURED FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE. HE STATED "NOTHING IS COMING UP ON THE DIAGNOSTICS THE SYSTEM IS VERY SMART'. THE DEALER EVEN DENIED THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THE ML 350 2008. I'VE HIRED AN ATTORNEY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET GROUND WIRING CONNECTIONS AS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOCKET WITH AND UPGRADED SOCKET KIT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO UP SHIFT THE GEAR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY INSTALLING UPDATED SOFTWARE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,630 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,678. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN

I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY THE DEALER AND ASKED THAT THEY SPECIFICALLY CHECK FOR ANY LEAKS OR OTHER ABNORMALITIES AS I WOULD BE OUT OF THE 50,000 WARRANTY PERIOD. ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED AN OIL DROP ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE SEALS IN THE STEERING WERE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ARGUED WITH THEM ABOUT PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 53000 +_ AND THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL UNLESS IT WAS A DEFECT DESIGN. EVENTUALLY THEY AGREED TO FIX IT WITH MB PAYING 1/3 AND I PAY 2/3 SOME $1200. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR THEY TOLD ME THAT IN ADDITION TO SEAL FAILURE THAT THE BEARING ON THE FIREWALL THAT HOLDS THE STEERING COLUMN WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD THEM I WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND TO GO BACK TO MB AND TELL THEM THIS IS LUDICROUS AND THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY. THE FINAL UPSHOT WAS THAT THEY INCREASED THE AMOUNT THAT MB WOULD PAY TO 2/3 AND THAT MB WOULD ALSO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BEARING REPAIR. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AS THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD OR OTHERWISE ABUSE AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AS REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND GET VERY LITTLE USE. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE HAD OTHER SIMILAR CLAIMS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR