There are 6 owner-reported lighting complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Right rear brake light inoperative even with new bulb. Dash warning light shows this light not working .08
WHILE DRIVING THE MERCEDES ML320 AT NIGHT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY POSTED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE "BATTERY VOLTAGE IS TOO LOW. PLEASE START THE ENGINE. OTHERWISE, COMAND WILL SHUT OFF IN 3 MINUTES." THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT THIS TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. A SHORT TIME LATER THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I TURNED ON THE FLASHERS AND THEY ALSO WENT OUT IN A SHORT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT RE-START. ABOUT 15 MINUTES WENT BY AND THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND FULLY FUNCTIONAL. NO SIGNS OF CODES OR REDUCED LIGHTING PERFORMANCE. ALSO, NO SIGNS OR REDUCED BATTERY PERFOMANCE WAS OBSERVED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPEN. IN ADDITION, THE REAR MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF FORT LAUDERDALE AT (954) 949-0623 (LOCATED AT 2411 S FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
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 WERE FOUR INCHES OF WATER WITHIN 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 128,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED BLINKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE SYSTEM MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SEIZED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ALSO FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REMOVING THE SPARE TIRE, THERE WAS WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT AS WELL IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND ON THE TAIL GATE MODEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING FROM THE SEAL AROUND THE REAR TAIL LAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/8/2015*JS
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.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026