2006 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Complaint Log

STEERING WHEELS RATTLES AND MAKE GROANING NOISE WHEN TURNING OR HITTING BUMPS. CAN DISTRACT DRIVERS AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR

HELLO I LIVE IN NY AND I HAVE A 2006 ML350. RECENTLY I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO MERCEDES BENZ. THEY STATE THE CAR NEEDS NEW BALANCE SHAFT AND TIMING GEARS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. THE COST IS OVER $5,000 TO GET FIXED. MERCEDES WILL NOT COVER IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT PART. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND OUT I WASN'T THE ONLY WITH THIS ISSUE. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN NEW JERSEY AS WELL AS OTHER STATES. MY INSPECTION HAS EXPIRED AND CAN'T NOT PASS WITHOUT THE REPAIR WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HERE IS THE LINK TO THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HTTP://WWW.COURTHOUSENEWS.COM/2010/10/07/MERCEDES.PDF. THEY SHOULD MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT IGNITED IN SMALL FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA; A BYPASSER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE FUSE BOX WHICH COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED OTHER DAMAGES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONTINUED TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN

I OWN A 2006 ML MERCEDES-BENZ WITH 47K MILES. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR, I HAD IT CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES TECHNICIAN WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT MUST BE REPLACED IN THE CAR. HE GAVE ME A "STAR BULLETIN" WHICH IS AN INTERNAL MEMO PRODUCED BY MERCEDES SHOWING THE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT SINCE AUGUST 2007 AND HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THE CARS WITH ENGINES EFFECTED. IT IS I HAVE BEEN TOLD A COMMON PLACE ISSUE AND IN FACT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN NEW JERSEY AGAINST MERCEDES OVER THIS ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS TO BE REPAIRED OR THE ENGINE CAN BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, THE COST I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FOR THE REPAIR IS $6000. IT WAS MADE VERY CLEAR TO ME BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT A CAR WITH 47K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH AN ISSUE AND THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT MERCEDES THUS FAR HAS NOT STEPPED UP TO REMEDY WITH CAR OWNERS. *TR

2006 ML500 WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE, 2010 AS A CPO, ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES SERVICE AND MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD FLUSHING TRANSMISSION WAS ANSWER, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR MONTHS. VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO STICK IN NEUTRAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. SEVERAL TIMES WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER MANY INSTANCES OF THIS, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO MERCEDES SERVICE. WAS TOLD PROBLEM WAS DUE TO SNAP RING COMING LOOSE. REFUSED TO DRIVE VEHICLE ANY LONGER AND GOT RID OF IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR REMAINED STUCK FROM THE INSIDE. SHE WAS FORCED TO CRAWL TO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR ACTUATOR. THE CONTACT DID INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,240 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 10/27/2011 *LN *TR

2006 ML350 MERCEDES BENZ - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE GARAGE TELLS ME THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT GEARS HAVE WORN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED IN A CAR WITH JUST 67,000 MILES ON IT. THE PRICE IS 5500 AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE I'VE HEARD FROM WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I THINK THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW IN THIS BATCH OF ENGINES AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS IS SERIOUS IF THE CHAINS ACTUALLY COME OFF THE GEARS. *TR

ABOUT 2 MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND BURNED MY BACK. LUCKILY, I RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM QUICKLY ENOUGH THAT I WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY BURNED. MY HUSBAND AND MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, SO MY CLOTHES COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. IF WE HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER WHILE WARMING UP THE CAR, THE ENTIRE CAR COULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES.

2006 MERCEDES ML350 AT 91,100 MILES DRIVER SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND LATER FOUND A BURNED HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, DRIVER NOTICED SMELL WHEN SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON. DEALERSHIP IS REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS ISN'T NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS SHOULD THE SEAT CATCH A FLAME. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *TR

THE ENGINE LIGHT DUE ERROR CODES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH CAM SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION, ALSO THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ERROR INTERNAL CODES NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED OIL SEAL FROM OIL FILTER HOUSING IS DEFECTIVE, REPAIRS FOR MAIN CAM SHAFT ISSUE EXCEEDS 8000.00 USD THERE SEEMS TO BE NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BALANCE SHIFT MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BALANCE SHIFT ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND HAD BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

TOOK CAR TO MB DEALERSHIP IN NORTH OLMSTED OHIO BECAUSE FRONT END OF CAR AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. CAR DROVE FINE UNDER THAT SPEED. I ALMOST WAS CAUSED TO DRIVE OFF OF ROAD AT MULTIPLE POINTS BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. CONDITION DID NOT OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS. CAR WAS 1 WEEK OUTSIDE OF MFR WARRANTY. WAS TOLD BY MB DEALERSHIP THAT CAR NEEDED NEW FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. I CALLED MB NATIONAL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT AN ALLEGED LUXURY CAR'S FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILING ONLY AFTER 40K MILES. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEM TO THIS DAY (1 YEAR LATER). I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE SINCE BEEN LOOKING FOR A USED DIFFERNTIAL BECAUSE A NEW ONE W/INSTALL IS OVER $3K. IT SEEMS AS IF I AM NOT THE ONLY ML OWNER EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. MB WENT WITH A NEW 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION THAT YEAR WHICH MAY LEAD TO PROBLEMS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 MERCEDES ML 350, WITH THE SEAT WARMER TURNED ON. I NOTICED A SMELL OF SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SO I TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER AND THE SMELL WENT AWAY. THE NEXT DAY I DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT WARMER HAD BURNED A SMALL HOLE IN THE SEAT COVERING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT JUST ABOVE THE DRIVER'S WAIST. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT IT WOULD COST $800-$1000 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC THAT I TALKED WITH 1-ON-1 TOLD ME THAT THEY GET THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY. SINCE THE DAY OF THE BURN THROUGH, I HAVE NOT USED THE SEAT WARMER. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I NOTICED THE SMOKE AND SHUT THE SEAT WARMER DOWN BEFORE THE SITUATION RESULTED IN A FIRE OR PERSONAL INJURY. SYSTEMS WITH THESE TYPES OF RISKS SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF "EXTENDED" WARRANTY COVERAGE WHEN THEY FAIL, TO HELP COVER THE RISK OF FIRE OR INJURY. *TR

AROUND 52,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE BALANCE SHAFT, THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TAKEN APART. ESTIMATED COST $4,000 TO $7,500. THE SERVICE DEPT. TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO A PART THAT WAS NOT HARDENED PROPERLY DURING MANUFACTURING. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (S-B-03.30/08I) THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN 2007, HOWEVER IT SEEMS LIKE MERCEDES BENZ KNOWS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (ON THE MAJORITY OF THESE VEHICLES) WILL NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER 50,000 MILES, WHEN THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. SINCE THIS FIX IS A HUGE EXPENSE, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY CONCERN. IF WE WOULD'VE HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, EVENTUALLY THE BALANCE SHAFT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO BREAK ITS TEETH RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE CONDITION IS NOT SAFE, IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED OUR BALANCE SHAFT, THE PARTS USED ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST ALONG WITH LABOR CODES. HERE IS A BRIEF BREAKDOWN: 28.8 LABOR HOURS TOTAL $2,940.48, PARTS $1,263.50 (CONSUMER COST), $925.49 (NET COST). THE FAILURE HAS BEEN CORRECTED, HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEPT. TOLD ME ALL OF THESE VEHICLES MADE DURING THIS TIME WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE THIS FAILURE AND IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN, NOT TO MENTION A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THESE VEHICLES AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS OF THIS FAILURE. I WAS AN ORIGINAL PURCHASER AND HAD MINE REPAIRED, HOWEVER THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE BUYING THESE VEHICLES USED UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM, NOT ONLY STUCK WITH A $4,000 + REPAIR, BUT ALSO UNAWARE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD. MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD ONLY SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO PARK BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK AND A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD INFORMED HER THAT SHE COULD NOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. SHE WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE WHEEL BEARINGS RESULTED IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THINKING THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE MORE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE AGAIN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF UPDATED 01/24/11*JB

ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR SUV BRAKE, ABS, ESP LIGHTS WENT ON, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOW THAT ABS, ESP, DISPLAY MALFUNCTION, CONTRACT SERVICE. POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ARE BOTH VERY TIGHT. SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO. AFTER WE REPORT THE INCIDENCE TO M-BRACE SERVICE, WE MANAGE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY FROM THE NEXT IMMEDIATE EXIT TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY OFF BY ITSELF. WE SPENT ONE NIGHT WITH A FRIEND NEARBY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE 25TH, WE TOOK OFF FROM FRIENDS DRIVE WAY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWS NORMAL, WE HAD 43,432 MILES ON THE CAR. AFTER 12 MILES TRAVELING, ALL THE ISSUES WE HAD PREVIOUS DAY HAPPENED AGAIN. WE MANAGED GET HOME BY REFERENCING RPM AND SOME SLOW DRIVER'S SPEED. AND WHEN WE REACH HOME, THE MILEAGE IS 43,448. THE WHOLE TRIP ONLY RECORDED 18 MILES FROM CARMEL, ID TO METRO DETROIT AREA. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS ESP MODULE FAILURE. OUR CONCERN IS EVEN WITH A ELECTRONIC PART MALFUNCTION, THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER SHOULDN'T STOP. PLEASE LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED FOR A PERIOD OF TWO SECONDS AND THE AUTOMATED WINDOWS BEGAN TO OPERATE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE HORN SOUNDED AND THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLYT ACTIVATED . THE "BRAKE FLUID LOW" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR DOOR AREA. THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECOMMENED LEVEL OF BRAKE FLUID WAS IN THE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A BUILD UP OF MOISTURE FROM AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF LIQUID SPILLED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OR POSSIBLY THE DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS LIFE THREATENING AND THAT THE INTERIOR CARPET SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH A WATERPROOF PROTECTOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF RESISTANT TO THE CONTACTS ATTEMPTS TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V224000: STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSISTS SYSTEM) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

ON N.Y. STATE THRUWAY,ON CRUISE CONTROL,BRAKES SUDDENLY APPLIED THEMSELVES. ABS AND SLS FLASHED ON DASH.CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED. TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND PULLED OFF. ATTEMPT TO START AGAIN AND BRAKES APPLIED THEMSELVES. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES ,@20 MIN. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR MOVING. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER WHO SAID SOME KIND OF BRAKE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. CHARGED FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS MELTING. THE DEALER REUPHOLSTERED THE SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE OWNER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE WIRING HARNESS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS COULD ONLY BE USED MANUALLY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

FLOW NOISES FROM AREA OF POWER STEERING PUMP AND/OR FOAMING OF POWER STEERING OIL IN RESERVOIR. ON MERCEDES BENZ 2006 ML 350. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000. UPDATED 01/20/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/21/10.*JB

MY ABS SYSTEM IS BROKE IN MY ML 350 MERCEDES BENZ 2006, IT ONLY 3 YEARS OLD I PURCHASE IT IN 5/2006. ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAS 64,000 MILES, THIS IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE ABS SYSTEM I WAS TOLD BY A MERCEDES SERVICE MANAGER THIS RARELY GOES OUT ON A CAR, BUT WHY NO ONE WANTS TO FIX IT. IT COSTS 3300 DOLLARS TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES ML350. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE DEALER NEEDED TO REPAIR IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY RECALIBRATED THE SYSTEM BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE AIR BAG LIGHT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,593.

AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, RELEASED BRAKE AND PRESSED GAS; THE RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, INSTEAD THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE IT WAS ON A HILL. THE GEAR INDICATOR WAS ON DRIVE, BUT CAR WAS ACTUALLY ON NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS CAR IS ON NEUTRAL AND CANNOT CHANGE TRANSMISSION BACK TO ANY GEAR. CAR WAS TAKE TO A DEALER REPAIR SHOP, WHERE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED. AS CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COST OF REPAIR OVER $1000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE GEAR THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN A CRASH. UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT THEN SURGED FORWARD, RESULTING IN ANOTHER CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SERIOUS INJURY AND WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 3/11/11 *CN UPDATED 07/11/11

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. AT AROUND 32,000 IT NEEDED TRANSMISSION REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS PAST THE THREE YEAR OFFERED WARRANTY. AT AROUND 45,000 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED NEW SHOCKS. ALL OF THE REPAIR MEN THAT I SPOKE WITH COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE WOULD NEED SUSPENSION WORK AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. AFTER READING THESE POSTS, IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION. MEANWHILE, I WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SET OF TIRES BECAUSE I AM STILL WAITING TO REPAIR THE SUSPENSION. I GUESS I CAN WAIT NO LONGER AND WILL NEED TO COME OUT OF POCKET AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MERCEDES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES ML350. WHENEVER THE CONTACT MADE A SHARP LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY AND THEN FULL REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED DRIVEN. WHEN THE CONTACT ADDED FUEL TO IT'S CAPACITY, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED 3/4 INSTEAD OF FULL. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02/02/10 *BF UPDATED 02/02/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HER IT BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS DRAGGING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO EXHIBIT THE JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE STATING THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116247.

BENZ ML 350 - I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING VERY SLOW AND ROUGH. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AWAY, THE VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CALLED MY MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM OF WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A "SYSTEM GLITCH" AND THE SYSTEM JUST HAD TO "RESET" ITSELF. FOUR DAYS LATER, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AGAIN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE TO NEUTRAL, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY DEALER. I WAS THEN ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

: IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE THAT: WHEN A 1-2 MM PLASTIC PIECE ON THE HANDLE HOUSING THE CABLE SHEARS, WILL THEN ALLOW THE BRAKE CABLE TO DISCONNECT INSIDE OF THE DASH BOARD AND LEAVE THE OWNER STRANDED. IF WE HAD BEEN MORE ISOLATED THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH APPROACHING A TURN AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS IN THE POWER STEERING AND LEAKAGE OF FLUID. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER UNDER 05V224000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

HIGH-RISK DESIGN FLAW IN MERCEDES 2006 SUV. THE SUN ROOF SAFETY MECHANISM (I.E., AUTO REVERSE WITH RESISTANCE) DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE SWITCH IS HELD THROUGHOUT CLOSURE. (THE SAFETY MECHANISM DOES WORK WHEN THE SWITCH IS INITIATED BUT NOT HELD THROUGHOUT CLOSURE). ALTHOUGH THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SHOULD BE PROMPTLY ADDRESSED TO PREVENT POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENTAL INJURY, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN. I HAVE SIMILARLY INFORMED MERCEDES BENZ. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER. THANK YOU. *TR

BALANCE SHAFT ON MY MERCEDES ML350 HAS WORN CAM CAUSING CHECKING ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE TIMING TO BE OFF. MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE MATERIAL OF NEW REPLACEMENT SHAFT HAS BEEN UPDATED. THIS HAS HAPPENING TO NEARLY ALL MERCEDES BENZ EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE UP TO SERIAL NO. 2729..30 468993 OR M273 ENGINE UP TO SERIAL NO. 2739..30 088611 AND OCCURS AFTER 55,000 MILES. MERCEDES WANTS $4,000 - $6,000 TO REPLACE DEFECT PART. *TR

2006 MERCEDES BENZ BALANCE SHAFT IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEFECT CAUSES THE CAR TO SOMETIMES SPUTTER WHEN ACCELERATING, ALMOST WAS KILLED BY A TRUCK AS I TURNED LEFT, OR STALL OUT COMPLETELY. *TR

WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY MERCEDES BENZ ML350, THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON REGARDING THE REAR LIFT GATE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I SMELLED SMOKE AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF LIQUID SPILL IN THE CARGO AREA. THE LIQUID THAT SPILLED GOT INTO THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SYSTEM AND THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE CPU CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE SPILL. THERE ARE NO WARNING MESSAGES POSTED IN THE CARGO AREA, CAUTIONING THE OWNER THAT THE CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE IF THERE IS A LIQUID SPILL IN THIS AREA. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS NO INFORMATION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL NOTIFYING OF THIS POTENTIAL DISASTROUS EVENT. SEEING THAT THE CARGO TRUNK IS THE MOST COMMON PLACE WHERE LIQUIDS WOULD BE TRANSPORTED FROM THE GROCERY STORE, MERCEDES SHOULD PROPERLY PROTECT THAT PART OF THE VEHICLE FROM LIQUIDS IF IT CONTAINS COMPUTER CIRCUITRY AND A SPILL CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, REAR LIFT GATE LATCH AND BODY COMPONENT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

2006 MERCEDES ML350. UPON TURNING 78K MILES A CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR APPEARED. UPON EXAMINATION A SPROCKET IN THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY WAS WORN AND IN DANGER OF FAILURE. WITHIN ONE DAY - AND WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT - I FOUND TWO OTHERS WITH THE SAME MOTOR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCEDES PRIDES ITSELF ON EXCELLENT ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING AND CHARGED ME $50K FOR SUCH EXCELLENCE. WITH THIS KIND OF MILEAGE THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF MACHINERY. APPARENTLY MB AGREED. UPON WORKING WITH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP MB PAID 50% OF THE BILL WHICH TOTALED $4200 WITH DISCOUNTS. THIS ITEM SHOULD TRULY BE A RECALL AND SHOULD NOT HAVE COST ME A PENNY. MB IS TRYING TO KEEP THIS SITUATION QUIET AS NOT TO INCUR EXTENSIVE DAMAGES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL TAKE PLACE FOR OTHERS WHO WILL INEVITABLY HAVE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE AT SOME POINT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED A SMOOTHIE ON THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT COVER LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER ROW FLOOR. THE LIQUID PENETRATED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING AND THE ABS INVOLUNTARY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW MOTOR AND THE COMPUTER AT THE COST OF $1,384. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A REPORT AND STATED THAT THE COVER WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,695. UPDATED 11/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/07/08.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BEEP AND NOTICED A FLASH OF WARNING LIGHTS ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CHECK ENGINE, (!), AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE SEIZED TO A JOLT, RELEASED, COASTED, AND THEN FAILED. HE HAD DIFFICULTY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT WHEN IT DID, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN, INCLUDING ESP GO TO WORKSHOP. HE SAID THAT HIS FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE ENTIRE TIME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000.

MY CAR STALLED ON THE STREET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CALLED DEALER, THEY SAID TURN OFF AND TURN ON TO RESET. THIS WORKED, HOWEVER IT CONTINUED TO HAPPENED UNTIL I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE BALANCE SHAFT AND COST $6000. I CALLED CORPORATE AND GAVE THEM LAW SUIT DOCUMENTATION, ,EMAILS, TESTIMONIALS AND BULLETINS SHOWING THE ISSUES OF THIS VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF THE MILES AND CAR NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WOULD REDUCE COST BY 25%. THAT IS STILL TO HIGH. THIS CAR AT THE TIME SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED TURNING OFF/ON THE CAR TO RESET. FOR A NEW CAR TO BE GIVEN THAT ADVISE IS INSANE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEIR TONS OF INFORMATION ON THE WEB,EMAILS AND ETC. REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I NEED MY CAR FIXED ASAP. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS HIGH REPAIR. *TR

MERCEDES 500ML TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING NOT SAFE. *TR

THE ELECTRONIC AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR! WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VECHILE IS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE THE FRONT END FALLS ON THE FRONT WHEELS. *TR CAN YOU BELEIVE I PAID EXTRA DOLLARS FOR THIS OPTION AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND I BELEIVE THE PROBLEM WILL NEVER BE RESOLVED. I CAN SEE MYSELF IN ANOTHER 5000 OR 6000 MILES EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM! I BELEIVE FROM PAST EXPERIENCE WITH MERCEDES BENZ THE ELECTRONIC AIRMATIC SUSPENION WILL NEVER WORK PROPERLY AND THE CAR SHOULD BE DECLARED A LEMON FOR THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTED REASON! I OWN A 1963 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE WITH THE OLD MERCEDES BENZ HYDROLIC VERSION OF THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION AND IT ALWAYS BROKEN. THAT WAS 43 YEARS AGO AND THE CRAFTED THINKERS AT MERCEDES BENZ HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM YET! WHEN I BOUGHT THE VECHILE THE SALESMAN ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD WORKED OUT ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION AND I HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! IF THAT'S THE CASE! WHY IS MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND I HAVE NO VECHILE TO DRIVE UNTIL MY SERVICE APPOINMENT THIS WEDNESDAY COMMING UP. MERCEDES BENZ OFFERS A $70,000 TRUCK WITH A NIGHMARE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION FOR AN OPTION THAT DOES NOT WORK THAT YOU PAID EXTRA MONEY FOR. WHAT A JOKE? I REALLY THINK THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE VECHILE. THIS PROBLEM WILL NEVER BE RESOLVED! ALL I,M GONNA GET FROM MERCEDES BENZ IS WE WILL FIX THE PROBLEM SIR! DON'T WORRY! THE BIG QUESTION WHO WILL PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN MY WARRANTY ENDS IF I KEEP THIS VECHILE! IT'S NOT FAIR!

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO A GATE. THE DRIVER JUMP INTO THE VEHICLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND SUSTAINED SCRATCHES AND CUTS. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NORMAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED AN INVESTIGATOR AND HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,600. UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL, SIZE P235/6517 TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TREAD ON THE TIRES WAS WORN, HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,500. UPDATED 12/12/07

WHILE TRAVELING ON 80 EAST IN NEW JERSEY ON A RAINY DAY THE ESP LIGHT MALFUNCTION SHOWED ON THE DASHBOARD SCREEN. AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE SPUN TO THE RIGHT AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THE FAILURE OF THE ESP CAUSED THE CRASH. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES ML 350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A RAINY DAY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN TO LOCK AND UNLOCK, THE HORN STARTED BLOWING ,AND THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALLED MERCEDES, WHO ARRIVED 2 HOURS LATER AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MERCEDES DEALER AND DIAGNOSED. THE DIAGNOSIS SHOWED THAT A SODA SPILLED INTO A COMPUTER LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE HATCHBACK COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,975. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 3,000. *AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

ACCELERATED AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHTED INTERSECTION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT THE REDUCED COST OF $2500, AS A COURTESY, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3K MILES. *TR

THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING REPORTED TO OWNERS OF THE MERCEDES BENZ ML350 WITH APPEARANCE PACKAGES. THIS IS A 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE THAT IS BEING ADVERTISED AS A SNOW CAPABLE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WITH THE APPEARANCE PACKAGE FROM MERCEDES IS A SERIOUS RISK TO ANY BUYER WHO ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN THE SNOW. THE FACT THAT IS NOT BEING BROUGHT TO BUYERS ATTENTION IS THAT IT COMES WITH PERFORMANCE TIRES, NOT ALL SEASON/SNOW TIRES THAT ARE TYPICAL IN EVERY OTHER 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ AND THEIR DEALERS ARE NOT AWARING CONSUMERS OF THIS UPON PURCHASE, WHICH IS A SERIOUS FRAUD WHEN THEY ARE ADVERTISING IT AS BEING A SNOW CAPABLE VEHICLE. THIS FACT WILL LEAD TO NUMEROUS CRASHES BECAUSE OWNERS/DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS VEHICLES LIMITATIONS AND ASSUME IT WILL HANDLE LIKE A STANDARD 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. NHTSA NEEDS TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MANUFACTURER AND ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PREVENT FURTHER CRASHES. *NM