2003 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Complaint Log

The Floor Mats I received for my vehicle covered a portion of my accelerator pedal and would when up into the back above the pedal and to the right of it and would get caught and force my accelerator pedal to stay down. I told the company of their design flaw, and they said would not do anything about it. If I wanted to send it back it would cost more than the pads were worth. I paid $189.95. I got PayPal involved and if I paid the shipping cost to send them back they would rebate me the money that I paid. That's only if the mats are in perfect condition when they receive them. So it cost hours of BS and $60 so I get back at least $129. But with that said I felt you should know that they are selling and sending things not made for the cars they promise they will be for.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V465000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED FOR OVER A YEAR DUE TO THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID, IT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE HOSE CONNECTION TO THE RADIATOR DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONERY. THIS ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED, I BELIEVE TWICE. DEALER REQUESTED $125 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. MB USA INFORMED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION, THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED OCTOBER 2008 UNDER RECALL, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I SHOULD FIX ON MY OWN COST.

ENGINE KEEPS GETTING OVER-HEATED EVEN AFTER A NEW ENGINE FAN HAS BEEN REPLACED. HOWEVER, AFTER ITS REPLACEMENT I TOOK IT TO TWO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP TO RE-INSPECT AND MAKE ADJUSTMENT TO THEIR INSTALLMENT OF THE FAN BUT IT KEEPS GETTING OVERHEATED. I ALSO HAD A NEW WATER COOLANT TANK INSTALLED BUT IT IS ALSO LEAKING OUT THE COOLANT AND SHOWING THE WARNING LIGHT. THESE EVENTS HAPPEN AFTER I TOP UP THE COOLANT TANK AND DRIVE AROUND 50 MILES, THEN THE OVERHEATING STARTS AND THE TANK STARTS BECOMING EMPTY.

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.

MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHEN SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT STARTED TO FLASH AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES. MY WIFE QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WHERE ENGAGING. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK. WE LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING BUT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. I HAVE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND ALL THE SHOPS ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ONE OF THE SHOPS, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE SHOP'S PARKING LOT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND THE YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION WAS FLASHING. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS CAUSED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE REAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T KNOW IF WHEN IT DOES THIS. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY USUALLY AFTER THE VEHICLE AS BEEN SITTING OFF FOR A SEVERAL HOURS.

TAKATA RECALL. POWER STEERING BRAKE ISSUE, POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME DETACHED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIO DRAIN, CAR CUT OFF ON ME DURING DRIVING.

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RESEVIOUR, AND HOSE AFTER LOOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFILLING WITH FLUID ALL THE CONTENTS RAN RIGHT OUT. I DO SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2008, BUT I DID NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 2/15. IS THERE ANY WAY POSSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL?

BAS LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE GAS PEDAL DIDN'T WORK SO I PULLED OVER. I FEEL LIKE ITS A DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND PUTTING OTHER DRIVER IN DANGER SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 ML320 BUT MY CAR IS 2003 AND ITS DOING THE SAME ISSUES THAT THE 2000-2002 ML320

RANDOM LOSS OF POWER ' (THE ENTIRE PANEL LIGHTS UP) AS THE CAR SUDDENLY AND SLOWLY POWERS OFF WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A DROP, DRIVING, BREAKING, AND TURNING, COMING TO A STOP AND ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 3800.00 FOR CAR REPAIR ON THE ML 350. IT SHUTS OFF MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. SO MUCH SO WE DO NOT ALLOW OUR DAUGHTER TO DRIVE UNLESS I AM THERE AND NOW NOT EVEN THEN UNTIL WE HAVE HAD IT FIXED FOR THE 4TH TIME (WE THOUGHT) AFTER CRANK SHAFT, SPARK PLUGS AND NOW ELECTRICAL WORK WE ARE AT A TOTAL LOSS. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED BUT MERCEDES BENZ HAS HAD OTHER REPORTS OUR AND OTHERS ' NOT REPAIR / OR RECALLED BUT IT SEEMS MAJOR TO OUR FAMILY ' AS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND OTHER OWNER THAT HAVE INVESTED IN THIS MAKE.

WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT. I FEAR DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN IT SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AT ONE POINT AND THEY HAVEN'T ADDRSSED IT. I'VE SPENT $4500 TO REPAIR AND THEY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND I'M NOT CERTAIN THEY KNOW HOW.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000...UPDATED 08/06/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TWO LINES FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD SEVERE PITTING AND CORROSION , AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 08/13/15*JB UPDATED 8/28/15*CN UPDATED 09/01/15*LJ UPDATED 09/08/15*JB UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 10/31/2017*CN

I HAVE A 2003 ML350 SUV. I BOUGHT MY CAR USED. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS REGARDING STEERING. I HAVE REPLACED ONE RACK AND PIN WHICH I BELIEVE WAS USED. NOW I AM IN NEED OF ANOTHER ONE. *TR

DRIVING 45MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. TOWED TO CLOSEST GAS STATION, WHO PUT A COMPUTER ON IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. AFTER COMPLETELY COOLING IT WILL START AGAIN, BUT IN LESS THAN 10 MIN IT CUTS OFF. *TR

LAST TIME I USED THE HEATED SEATS, TURNED THEM ON THE WAR I ALWAYS HAVE, BUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY LEG FELT LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. ONE SPOT IN MY SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND WAS SMOKING. IMMEDIATELY I TURNED THE SEATS OFF AND HAVE NEVER USED THEM AGAIN. CALLED DEALER TO ASK IF THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT NO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE RPMS REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING, WENT OVER BUMP IN ROAD, AND TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED. PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL WEAKEND. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I PULLED OVER AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT, AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED AND PULL OVER INTO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM HOOK IT UP TO DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL CODES, THAT ALL STATED "THROTTLE PEDAL POSITIONER MALFUNCTION" I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED THIS ITEM 4 TIMES SINCE THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, BUT I'M ALWAYS VERY AFRAID THAT THIS PART IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR STREET, AND I ALONG WITH MY KIDS ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIME A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE. *TR

RUBBER SEAL BETWEEN BRAKE PISTON AND BOOSTER CAN COME OFF OR DISINTEGRATE, CAUSING LOSS OF VACUUM ASSIST AND A SUDDEN DECREASE IN BRAKE FORCE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, WHEN I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE SUV BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT. I SAW AN OIL LEAK WHERE IT HAD BEEN PARKED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY TOYOTA, AND LEFT THE MERCEDES PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE LARGE OIL LEAK CONCERNED ME.I SPOKE TO A MERCEDES MECHANIC AND DESCRIBED WHAT I HAD HEARD, AND HE SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A STEERING PROBLEM. I CHECKED ONLINE AND NOTICED THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP FOR ML 350 MODELS YEARS 2003 +. IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL OIL LEAKS OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE RECALL IS STILL VALID? DOES THE MERCEDES DEALER STILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE HOSE AND CLAMP? WHAT IF THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THESE PARTS, THEN WHAT DO I SAY OR DO? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NOTES TAKEN ON PHONE BY BOWMAN, ODI, NHTSA: VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AFTER IMPACT WITH IRREGULAR ROAD SURFACES CONDITION SUCH AS POTHOLE, TRANSVERSING A CHANGE ROAD GRADES / SURFACES SUCH AS SPEED BUMPS, ETAL. VEHICLE CAN BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AFTER SHUT-OFF. ONE INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AS HIS LEFT PANT LEG CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SMALL BURN TO THE LEG. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SPARKS AND A SMALL FLAME COMING THROUGH A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER AND WAS TREATED FOR THE SMALL BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

AFTER CHANGING THE SERPENTINE BELT, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS WOBBLING AND THE BELT VIBRATING, I BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, DOSE MINE STILL APPLIED TO THIS PROBLEM? IT IS ALREADY OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS KIND OF REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE, PLEASE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE SPEED. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS A BURNING ODOR OF BRAKES EMITTED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC ENGINE STOPPED. DRIVER (NOT ME) WAS VERY SCARED AND SAID AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED AS SHE MANEUVERED TO BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT POWER AND NO POWER STEERING. SECOND OCCURRENCE OF SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPAGE WHILE DRIVING WITH LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND POWER STEERING IN THIS VEHICLE. FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. WHEN TURNED ON, THE SEAT WARMER IN THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HOT, I HAVE RECEIVED A SLIGHT BURN AND I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR A FIRE (TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE MAY BE UNDER THE SEAT COVER) ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF IN TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

MY 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE, RICHARDHULL@PHILSMART.COM, 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: 206.340.5959, FAX: 206.654.7119) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEMS, FOUND THAT 'VERIFIED NOISE, INSTALLED ELECTRONIC EARS, TO ISOLATE NOISE FOUND NOISE FROM INSIDE OF STEERING PACK ASSEMBLY,' AND INSPECTION FEE WAS $152.60, SUGGESTING REPAIR WAS TO REPLACING THE GEARING (RACK) AND COST ESTIMATED $2,252.02, AND JOHN SHEPARD TOLD ME THAT 'AS I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WERE AWARE THAT AN OFFER OF 50% PARTS AND LABOR IS ON THE TABLE? I HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO THAT, SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED TODAY, THE OFFER STILL STANDS. THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE RACK AND IT WOULD CARRY A ONE YEAR UNLIMITED MILE WARRANTY. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A FAIR OFFER AND HOPE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. I AM SORRY THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WOULD LOVE TO HELP GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.' BY FEBRUARY, I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL FROM ALAN MCLAREN (V.P. CUSTOMER SERVICE OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC; ONE MERCEDES DRIVE, PO BOX 350 MONTVALE, NJ 07645, TEL: 1-800-367-6372, FAX: 201-476-6211), THEN I SEND MY VEHICLE TO JOHN SHEPARD (PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE), WAS TOLD THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN RESOLVED, NO NEED TO REPAIR, NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT INSPECTION FEE $ 152.60, WHICH CAUSE MY DEEP CONCERN THAT THIS MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND DEFECT MY VEHICLE SAFETY IN THE FUTURE. *TR

RE: NHTSA SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005 VEHICLE INFORMATION: 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ODI#10261473 MY ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER, 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: 206.340.5959) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEMS, FOUND THAT 'VERIFIED NOISE, INSTALLED ELECTRONIC EARS, TO ISOLATE NOISE FOUND NOISE FROM INSIDE OF STEERING PACK ASSEMBLY,' AND INSPECTION FEE WAS $152.60, SUGGESTING REPAIR WAS TO REPLACING THE GEARING (RACK) AND COST ESTIMATED $2,252.02. BY FEBRUARY, I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL FROM ALAN MCLAREN (V.P. CUSTOMER SERVICE OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC; ONE MERCEDES DRIVE, PO BOX 350 MONTVALE, NJ 07645, TEL: 1-800-367-6372, FAX: 201-476-6211), THEN I SEND MY VEHICLE TO JOHN SHEPARD (PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE), WAS TOLD THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN RESOLVED, NO NEED TO REPAIR, NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT INSPECTION FEE $ 152.60(EVEN IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE SAYS 'IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS RECALL CONDITION CORRECTED PRIOR TO THIS NOTICE YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT), WHICH CAUSE MY DEEP CONCERN THAT THIS MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND DEFECT MY VEHICLE SAFETY IN THE FUTURE. AFTER I FILED A COMPLAINT 03/05/2009 TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION FOR NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND ALAN J. MCLAREN (VICE PRESIDENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, MERCEDES BENZ USA, LLC), I RECEIVED A CALL FROM ROBERT (201-476-6200,201-476-6326) WHO WAS SO CALL 'ASSISTANT TO EXECUTIVE FOR MERCEDES BENZ USA 04/02/2009, ROBERT SAID HE WILL PROBE THIS MATTER AND GET BACK TO ME NEXT MONDAY, SO FAR THREE WEEKS PASSED, I HAVE TOLERANTLY WAITED YET NO REPLY FROM ROBERT. *TR

I HAD TAKEN MY MERCEDES ML320 IN FOR RECALL WORK #2003040005 AT MOTOR WORKS IN HOFFMAN ESTATES IL. FOR POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX. $6,000.00 FOR THIS SERVICE WHICH SHOULD BE FREE. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES AND MOTOR WORKS WITH NO RESPONSE THE CLAMPS THAT CONNECT THE POWER STEERING HOSES COME OFF QUITE OFTEN RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, I GUESS I SHOULDN'T EXPECT MUCH FOR A $40,000.00 CAR!! *TR

MY FAMILY OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY MOM NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE BELIEVED ONE OF THE MECHANICS BURNT IT WITH A TOOL DURING THE CAR'S SERVICE. SO THIS BURN MARK WAS IGNORED. ON DEC. 13, 2008 AROUND 8:20 AM, MY MOM, WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE AND A SMALL FIRE FROM THE SIDE OF HER SEAT. SHE COULD NOT HAVE PULLED OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. SHE TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THEN SHE PUT IT OUT WITH A TOWEL SHE WAS SITTING ON, IT TOO WAS BURNT, BUT PREVENTED MY MOMS LEG FROM GETTING BURNED BY THE FIRE. THE FIRE HAS LEFT A BURNED HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I'VE CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CASE LIKE MINE, NOR THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE VISITED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT DOCUMENTED MY CASE AND FAXED A COPY TO THAT DEALERSHIP. I AM GOING TO MEET THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO IS TO GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, FIXED, AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW HOSE CLAMP AT THE COST OF $259. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. SHE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN UPDATED 03/10/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNING. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR HIS WALLET IN HIS BACKPOCKET, HIS PANTS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNED THROUGH HIS LEATHER SEATS. THE CONTACT SEARCHED THE INTERNET, BUT FOUND NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,400.

MY M-350 HAD NO POWER. THE HARNESS CABLE (163-540-28-32) LOCATED BEHIND AND AGAINST THE BATTERY HAD COMPLETELY BEEN DESTROYED BY THE BATTERY ACID ENVIRONMENT. THE CABLE SUPPLIES THE OPERATIONAL POWER TO THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTO. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING WHEN THIS COMPLETE FAILURE OCCURRED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE ELSE. ALL SYSTEMS IN THE CAR WERE TOTALLY NON-FUNCTIONAL. NO SHIELDING OR PREVENTION OF DAMAGE TO THE CABLE WAS ENGINEERED INTO THE FACTORY INSTALLATION OF THIS CABLE. THE BATTERY WAS THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION AND NO MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY HAD OCCURRED IN THAT AREA OF THE CAR SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTO OF THE CABLE THAT SHOWS THIS CONDITION. I WAS CHARGED $2,483.65 BY JACKIE COOPER IMPORTS OF TULSA, LLC ( THE TULSA MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER) TO REPLACE THE CABLE. I ALSO WAS CHARGED APPROXIMATELY $125.00 FOR THE TOWING OF THE CAR (SUV) TO THE DEALER FOR THESE REPAIRS. FOR A WORLD CLASS SAFETY AWARD WINNER CAR, TO BE ENGINEERED WITH THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS CABLE NEXT TO A BATTERY WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM ACID FUMES IS TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL. I'M WORK IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND WE WOULD NEVER ALLOW THIS INSTALLATION TO BE APPROVED. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST SO I CAN FORWARD THE PHOTOS AND COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDERS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT A RECALL NOTICE BE IMPLEMENTED ON THIS VEHICLE TO AVOID POTENTIAL DEATHS, INJURIES, AND LOSS OF PROPERTY TO THE PUBLIC. *TR

I PAID MY DEALER FOR A REPAIR OF A COMPONENT THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. HOW DO I GET A REFUND OR CREDIT FOR THE EXPENSE. I HAVE ML 500 MERCEDES BENZ 2003. MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT THE WHITE PLAINS N.Y. DEALERSHIP. *TR

I OWN A MERCEDES ML 350 2003; WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK THIS MORNING THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING, BECAME DISABLED AND STEERING, BECAME IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR SLOWED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROAD WITH SPEED LIMITS UP TO 40 MPH AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR INTO THE SHOULDER CREATING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. EVENTUALLY THE CAR COASTED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND ALL LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS INITIALLY A KEY FAILURE IN WHICH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR COULD BE LOST WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY REACTION WHICH WAS "AND YOU GUYS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT" I WAS TOLD THAT INSTEAD IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. CURRENTLY MERCEDES HAS A RECALL PENDING OR BEING CONSIDERED ON ONE OF THERE 2007 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL, BUT SHOULD BE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 01/2008 AFTER A MONTH OR TWO I STARTED TO FILL RESERVOIR WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AS NEEDED WHICH IS OFTEN. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ REGARDING THE RECALL BUT DENIED MY REQUEST. THANKS *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES ML 320 THAT HAS POWER STEERING FLUID PROBLEMS. THIS IS DUE TO A RECALL ISSUED BY MB FOR FAULTY HOSING, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. I HAD LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY WHILE DRIVING WHICH LEAD ME TO STEER OFF THE ROAD DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT EXITED AN OFFRAMP AT 10 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND LATER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND ONE OF THE O-RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 DEFECTS WITH TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER UNIT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTS AND THINKS THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON. *KB

CAR MAKES A "WASHING MACHINE" TYPE NOSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MERCEDES DEALER EVALUATED AND FOUND THE STEERING GEAR BOX/RACK & PINION IS "WORN" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PART THEY DID ADD A LUBRICANT TO POWER STEERING FLUID TO "ELIMINATE" THE NOISE (WHICH IS STILL THERE PRESENTLY). WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO REPLACE RACK & PINION BECAUSE THEY STATE PART IS STILL FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. HOWEVER, IF PART COMPLETELY FAILS AND THE STEERING GOES OUT, I COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY. *TR

IN REGARDING TO SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005: 1. HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION. 2. ITS CONSEQUENCES: A. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING B. VALVE COVERS LEAKING 3. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKETS. TOTAL CHARGES WERE $1,544.62 ($775.40 FOR PARTS, THE REST WAS FOR LABOR). SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005 LETTER STATES THAT "IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS RECALL CONDITION CORRECTED PRIOR TO THIS NOTICE YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT". I PRESENTED THIS CASE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE BUT THEY DENIED MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD RECEIVE THE REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENT TO SUPPORT THIS CASE. PLEASE HELP US TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME. *TR

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, BURNS WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. BURN SMELL, BURNED SKIN OF DRIVER. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE READ OF MANY INSTANCES OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. MERCEDES NEEDS TO REPLACE SEAT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE ENGAGED THE SEAT HEATER. THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE HEATER OFF. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE AND SPARKS. HE POURED WATER OVER THE SEATS AND THE SPARKS STOPPED. THE SEAT HEATER DID NOT GO OFF UNTIL THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COILS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED SEAT AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE CONSUMER WITH ANY DOCUMENTATION OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT AND REPAIR. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

HEATED SEAT, DRIVER SIDE, BURNT THROUGH SEAT ON LEFT SIDE OF THIGH AND THROUGH CLOTHING. SKIRT AND JACKET DAMAGED. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY A NATIONAL RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS, INCLUDING MGR AT MERCEDES OF GREENWICH WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH GOING AROUND A CURVE THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND THEN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL #03V121000 FOR THE STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 2003 FOR THE HOSE CLAMPS. *NM CONTACT WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES THAT THIS FAILURE DID NOT INVOLVE THE CLAMP BUT THE HOSE WORE OUT. ALSO, WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING FAILURE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MECHANIC WHO HAD SERVICED THE VEHICLE 2 DAYS PRIOR. IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED, AND THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CURRENT CLAMP/ HOSE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THE CONTACT PICKUP THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER NOTICED A CHARGE FOR REPLACING THE STEERING HOSE CLAMP AND LOWER HOSE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY A BILLING CODE FOR THE WORK DONE BY THE MECHANIC. THE NEW CLAMP WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. SIMPSON MERCEDES REIMBURSED THE CONTACT WITH $1,950.00 BECAUSE IT WAS FELT THIS SHOULD NOT HAV EHAPPENED. CONTACT UNEASY ABOUT THE STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD SIDE A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED.

THE HEATED SEAT IN MY 2003 MERCEDES ML320 BURNED THROUGH MY LEATHER SEATS AND LEAVING A SMALL MARK ON MY LEFT THIGH. MY INJURY HEALED; HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL A BURNT MARK ON MY SEAT. AFTER EXPLAINING IT TO MERCEDES AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE, BOTH DECIDED TO HELP ME STATING IT WAS A COSMETIC DEFECT. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A DRIVER SIDE SEAT THAT HAS 3 CM HOLE IN IT ALONG WITH HEATED SEATS THAT MERCEDES SUGGEST THAT I SHOULD NEVER TURN ON, EVEN THOUGH I PAID EXTRA FOR IT. *JB

2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500 - HEATED SEAT BURNT UP - SMALL HOLE IN SEAT - IT WAS VERY, VERY HOT. 8JB