2007 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Complaint Log

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

POWER STEERING BEGAN MAKING LOW PITCHED HUMMING NOISE, WHICH LED ME TO DISCOVER A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. UPON DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, AND TALKING TO MERCEDES TECHS, I'VE FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. IT CAN AND HAS LED TO POWER STEERING / RACK FAILURE AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

STARTED MY 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES DRIVEN AND PULLED ONTO MAJOR STREET IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR - COULD NOT GET IT TO GO OVER 20 MPH. CARS WHIZZING BY ME. SURPRISED I DIDN'T GET HIT. TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES DEALER. FIRST PROBLEM ON ESTIMATE IS: "REPLACE TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL PLATE (FAULTY TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL PLATE)". MB ADMITS 722.9 TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. HOWEVER, THEY WILL ONLY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR VEHICLES IN WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY # OF YEARS, NOT MILEAGE. A CAR SHOULD NOT NEED TRANSMISSION WORK AT 46,000 MILES. WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH AND THIS IS A PROBLEM OF MANY CARS WITH 722.9 TRANSMISSION. MY COST TO FIX WILL BE $1100 FOR THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL PLATE. IN ADDITION, RECEIVED A CALL AFTER 3 DAYS IN SHOP THAT THEY WILL ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE DEALER IS COPING THE COST TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. I AM REPORTING BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE GEARS WILL NOT CHANGE WHEN YOU PULL INTO TRAFFIC, HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. ANOTHER COMPLAINT LISTED ONLINE WAS THAT THE CAR JUMPS OUT OF GEAR ON EXPRESSWAY. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL CARS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER IS WORKING WITH ME AND HAS PROVIDED A LOANER CAR. HOWEVER, I THINK MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD BE REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM ON ALL CARS THAT HAVE THE PROBLEM, WHETHER IN WARRANTY OR OUT, AT THEIR COST. *TR

THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT HEATER. A WHOLE THE SIZE OF A DIME BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE FLAME BURNED A HOLE INTO THE COAT OF THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER. *TR

PER AN E-MAIL SENT TO DAIMLER AG-MERCEDES, I HAVE A 2007 ML350 WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES WHICH IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE CAR IS NOT SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE FACTS ARE: THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES, REPORTS, & COMPLAINTS TO MERCEDES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT IS NOT SAFE & THE MERCEDES CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIR.IT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING AT ALL ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SARASOTA, FL MERCEDES DEALER. COST IS $1,700 WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED & CORRECTED BY MERCEDES. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 2 MERCEDES & HAVE HAD MERCEDES FOR 20 YEARS THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION; IT HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER CARS; AND MERCEDES HAS RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS. THIS IS NOT A REPAIR ISSUE; IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE SPEED SENSOR THAT MERCEDES IS REPAIRING IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR STOPS SHIFTING TO ANY GEAR WHEN LEAVING A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. WE HAVE HAD MERCEDES FOR 20 YEARS & ARE AWARE THAT REPAIRS ARE COSTLY, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING AND IT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MERCEDES TO CORRECT IT. IT WOULD BE PRUDENT OF MERCEDES TO ISSUE A WARNING OF THE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSMISSION ERROR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION.

TOO ALL THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT MY COMPLIANT IS I BOUGHT THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE FROM THE RICHMOND VA CARMAX AND HAS BEEN BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN SPOKE WITH THE STORE MANAGER [XXX] AND THE REGION MANAGER WHOM WAS VERY NASTY TO BE ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND TO HAVE ME KEEP COMING BACK OVER 5 TIMES IN JUST TWO MONTHS AND STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I RECENTLY SAW THE SPECIAL THAT 60 MINUTES HAD ABOUT YOUR FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES FROM YOUR. I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT PERFORMING FOR THE MONEY I SPENT. I CALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASION AND SPOKE WITH THE REGION MANAGER HIS NAME ESCAPES ME BUT I BELIEVE IT'S [XXX] OR SOMETHING PRETTY CLOSE. I CALLED IN ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE BUY BACK BUT HE INSIST THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT AND THEN WHEN IT WAS NOT RESOLVED HE THEN MENTION IT WAS PAST THE BUY BACK TIME, YES HE PULLED A QUICK ONE ON ME AND I TOLD HIM IT WAS BOUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION BEFORE THE BUY BACK TIME BUT HE STATED IT WAS THE DATE WE WERE SPEAKING GOING FORWARD AND IF HE TOOK IT BACK I WOULD LOSE QUITE A BIT. I'M SO UNHAPPY BUT I TRULY SEE WHY PEOPLE HAVE PUT YOUR COMPANY ON BLAST. THE 60 MINUTE STORY IS EXACTLY WHAT I EXPERIENCED. THE ONLY PLEASANT EXPERIENCE WAS WITH [XXX] MY SALES PERSON AND HE KNEW YOU GUYS HAD GAVE ME A BAD DEAL AND HIS HANDS WERE TIED. I WAS ACTUALLY THERE WHEN HE TIRED TO HELP ME BUT HE LATER TOLD ME HIS JOB WAS ON THE LINE. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE BBB TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. I WILL ALSO PLAN TO HAVE THE CARFAX BECAUSE THE ONE THAT WAS PROVIDED I DO NOT BELIEVE IS ACCURATE.I BELIEVE THAT VEHICLE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME TYPE OF COLLISION. ANOTHER THING THAT 60 MINUTES POINTED OUT ABOUT YOUR COMPANY. I'M WAITING ON BETTER BUSINESS TO CONTACT ME.ONE THING FOR SURE IS THAT I WILL NEVER BUY FROM CARMAX AGAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

BALANCE SHAFT FAILURE RESULTING INTAKE CAM FAILURE IN VEHICLE PERFORMANCE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL EMITTED AS THE TEMPERATURE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE DEFECT RESULTED IN A BURNED HOLE IN THE SEAT CUSHION AND THROUGH THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BACK WARMER WAS FAULTY AND THEY WOULD NEED TO PERFORM FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 11/4/13*CN UPDATED 11/14/13*JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON: CODE 0060 = CONTINUOUS CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT ( RIGHT ) : INCORRECT POSITION OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ( P000B ). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER ENTERED THE LIFT GATE CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSED THE MODULE TO SHORTEN AND BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

AS I WAS TRAVELING IN CHICAGO PROPER THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18 DEGREES OUTDOORS SO WE TURNED ON THE CITY WARMERS AGAINST THE CHILL... MY PASSENGER NOTED A SMELL OF SMOKE IN THE CAR WHICH AT THE TIME I DID NOT... SUBSEQUENTLY THE SMELL BECAME MORE PREVALENT, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BECAME HOT AND BEGAN TO SMOKE, MY CLOTHES CAUGHT FIRE BURNING WHOLES IN MY OUTER COAT, MY PULLOVER SWEATER AND MY TEE SHIRT FINALLY REACHING MY FLESH... WE WERE ABLE TO TURN THE SEAT WARMER OFF, I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET OUT AND REMOVE THE CLOTHING THAT WAS DAMAGED... A WHOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A 1/2 DOLLAR WAS BURNED IN THE LEATHER OF THE DRIVERS SEAT... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT WARMER UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD A SHORTAGE AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RED GLOW COMING FROM DRIVER SEAT, AND A HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS. THE HOLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2-3 INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUMES TRIGGERED AN ASTHMA FLARE AND CAUSED A SLIGHT BURN ON THE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

AT APPROXIMATELY 65,556 MILES, MY POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESERVOIR AS WELL AS THE FRONT END SWAY BAR ENDS AND LINKS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ON A HIGH QUALITY TRUCK SUCH AS THIS 2007 ML 350 MERCEDES BENZ, THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN OUT SO QUICKLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EMISSION CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 CDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FAILED. WHILE A SERVICE STATION ADDED FUEL TO THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE FUEL TANK AND FOUND A CRACKED ON THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

I HAD SEAT HEAT ON, I WAS DRIVING. ALL OF SUDDEN I BEGAN SMELLED BURNING,I FOUGHT IT WAS OUTSIDE AND I OPENED A WINDOW, BUT THEN I FELT A HEAT IN MY LEFT LOWER BACK. I PULLED OVER MY CAR. I SAW ON LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT A WHOLE AND FIRE WAS STARTING, I HIT FEW TIMES WITH MY HANDS AND PUT OUT THE GLOWING FIRE. I WAS IN PANIC WHEN IT HAPPENED.I NEVER THINK IT CAN HAPPEN WITH MERCEDES BENZ CAR. I LOST MY TRUST AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES ML350. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT HER BACK HAD BECOME EXCESSIVELY HOT. THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION BURNED A HOLE IN HER SHIRT FROM THE EXCESSIVE HEAT. SHE LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN BEFORE SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER ACTIVATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURES BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE DEFECT RESULTED IN A BURN HOLE IN THE CUSHION AND THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO THE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BACK WARMER WAS FAULTY AND PLANNED TO PERFORM FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE08030 (SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: SEAT HEATER/COOLER) HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED SEPTEMBER 9, 2008. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,163. UPDATED 11/26/12 *CN UPDATED 11/30/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER BEGAN SMOKING AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

AS I WAS ATTEMPTING A SHARP LEFT TURN THE CAR SHIFTED FROM D TO D1. TO RECOVER I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN N THEN BACK TO D, WHILE MOVING. I CONTINUE WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME SINCE IT HAS HAPPENED 3-5 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE 2011 WITH 43,616 MILES. *TT

DEFECT/ MECHANICAL FAILURE OF FRONT PASSENGER JACK MOUNT. I HAD JACKED UP THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2007 ML350. BOTH BACK WHEELS WERE BLOCKED WITH AUTOMOTIVE WHEEL BLOCKS. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE MOTOR OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON MY CEMENT DRIVEWAY. I CAREFULLY PLACE THE JACK TO ENSURE IT ENGAGED INTO THE JACK MOUNT AND THAT THE BASE OF THE JACK WAS SECURE AND STABLE ON THE CEMENT. I LOOSENED THE LUG NUTS PRIOR TO JACKING THE CAR. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL, I ROLLED THE WHEEL OUT OF THE WAY AND WENT TO GET A JACK STAND FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE FELL. THE JACK MOUNT HAD FAILED AND THE EXTENDED JACK DAMAGED THE FRONT FENDER, JACK MOUNT, AND UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE I TOOK ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS IN JACKING THE CAR AND I AM VERY SURPRISED AND CONCERNED THAT THIS OCCURRED. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THESE JACKS ARE TYPICALLY FOR USE UNDER MUCH LESS IDEAL CONDITIONS. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ HEAD OFFICE IN WRITING SINCE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL DEALER SUGGESTED IT WAS NOT MB FAULT. I ALSO WROTE THEM VIA THEIR ONLINE EMAIL SUBMISSION FORM ON THE CORPORATE WEBSITE - THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. *TR

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . TAKE TO REPAIR SHOP,CRANK SENSOR BAD,CHANGED CRANK SENSOR, LIGHT CAME ON BACK,O2 SENSOR BAD, CHANGED O2 SENSOR,LIGHT CAME BACK ON,FINALLY SAID WORN SPRACKETT IN ENGINE SENDING FALSE READING. STEERING PUMP WENT BAD AT 59000. AC PUMP PULLEY BROKE OFF AT 54,000 MILES. AC/HEAT COMES ON BY ITSELF, EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS TURN OFF. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT ON MY 2007 MERCEDES ML350 BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER TODAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FIRST, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THEN FELT IT BURN THROUGH MY SHIRT AND PANTS IN A MATTER OF 10 SECONDS. I IMMEDIATE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SEAT SMOLDERING SO I TURNED OFF THE HEATER AND THE FIRE WENT OUT. I REPORTED THIS IMMEDIATELY TO MERCEDES VIA THEIR MBRACE SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME TO VISIT THE LOCAL DEALER. *TR

BALANCE SHAFT REQUIRES ENGINE TO BE REMOVED AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $4200 (AFTER 47,000 MILES). TOLD BY A NUMBER OF MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE IN ML 350 MERCEDES BENZ, 2006,2007. *TR

MINOR ACCIDENT IN LA, CAR TAKEN TO M-B OF CALABASAS THEY RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION SERVICE. 12 DAYS LATER, CAR WAS PARKED, PUT IN PARK, ENGINE TURNED OFF, OWNER/PASSENGER IN CAR, DRIVER LEFT VEHICLE. CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS, HIT A SOFT SPOT IN GRAVEL, ROLLED OVER TWICE DOWN STEEP EMBANKMENT, STOPPED AGAINST A TREE. PASSENGER NOTICED CAR WAS IN PARK, UNBUCKLED HER SEAT BELT TO ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE, TOO LATE. RIGHT HAND, SHOULDER AND BACK INJURED. CAR TOWED TO M-B OF WILSONVILLE. THEY SAID IT WAS TOTALED. REGIONAL MANAGER SAW CAR. NO RESPONSE AFTER REPEATED CALLS. NO ACTION TAKEN ON CAR. CALLED CORPORATE: 800-367-6372. VERY GRACIOUS. INVESTIGATED STATUS, REPORTED THAT REGIONAL MANAGER ADMITTED THAT HE HAD DROPPED THE BALL. RECEIVED LETTER (06/02/11) FROM M-B STATING "THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FAULTS OR DEFECTS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE DESCRIBED EVENTS." SINCE THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS NOT ADDRESSED AND MERCEDES-BENZ DECLINES ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MATTER, THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN. OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES HAVE REPORTED A SIMILAR MALFUNCTION, AS YET NOT ADDRESSED BY M-B. VEHICLE WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF FOR PARTS, SINCE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 2007 MERCEDES ML320 CDI ON MARCH 12. AFTER A WEEK OF DRIVING - I INSPECTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (I USUALLY DO). I NOTICED ENGINE OIL DRIPPING (SMALL BUT NOTICEABLE AMOUNT) ON THE SERPENTINE BELT. I DID NOT THINK IT WAS URGENT - SO I TOOK PICTURES SO I CAN SEND IT TO MY SELLER TO CLAIM WARRANTY. ON MARCH 23, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY ON I-65. SUDDENLY, STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. IT WAS A CURVING HIGHWAY SO I WAS FORCED TO GO INTO OTHER LANES. LUCKY, TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY SO I DID NOT SWERVE INTO ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL ON TIME TO MOVE AWAY SAFELY. ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME WE LOST STEERING, THE BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON. AFTER STOPPING, WE POPPED THE HOOD AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE SAME BELT MENTIONED EARLIER HAD DISINTEGRATED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. WE CALLED FOR A TOW VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR $300 AND ASSURED ME THAT THERE IS NO OIL LEAK. 200 MILES LATER, I GOT HOME - AND SAW THE SAME LEAK, SAME SPOT. OIL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE TURBO TO INTERCOOLER HOSE JOINT (WHICH WAS JUST ABOVE THE SERPENTINE BELT). I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THE ONLY SIMILAR ISSUE I FOUND LED TO DTB S-B-09.20/29. I ASKED MERCEDES, BUT THEY SAY ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO I AM CURRENTLY RESEARCHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM PERMANENTLY. *TR

MY ML350 HAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AWAITING THE PART FOR OVER A MONTH. THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF DEFECTIVE VALVE BODIES. THE PROBLEM IS GLOBAL. PLEASE READ THE LINK. HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/M-CLASS-W164/427254-2007-ML350-BEING-HELD-HOSTAGE-MB-CORPORATE.HTML#POST4964336. *TR

I OWNED A 2007 MERCEDES ML500, THE REASON I DON'T OWN THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER IS BECAUSE IT BURNT UP IN MY PARKING LOT OUTSIDE OF MY OFFICE. THE EVENING BEFORE THE FIRE I HAD DINNER OUT AND WHEN I WENT TO UNLOCK MY CAR DOORS, THE RIGHT BLINKER LIGHT FLICKERED AND REMAINED ON. AS I GOT INTO THE CAR THE SOUND OF THE BLINKER WAS VERY QUICK AND I TURNED IT OFF BUT REALIZED THEN THAT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I MADE AN APPOINTMENT T GET THOSE FIXED, IN THE MEANTIME I DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED. ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS WHOSE OFFICE FACES THE PARKING LOT SAID THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY CAR. WE CALLED 911 RAN OUTSIDE AND WHEN WE OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. WE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT THE FLAMES KEPT COMING BACK UNTIL THERE WAS A WHOOSH SOUND AND THE FIRE EXPLODED OUT OF THE CAR. AT THAT POINT WE ALL RAN FOR SAFETY AND HAD TO SIT AND WATCH WHILE MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD PUT IT OUT. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS A BLACK CHARRED MESS FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK, THE EXTERIOR WAS BURNT AND IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE POINTING TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE SEAT. FYI - THE SEAT WARMER HAD NOT BEEN TURNED ON AT ALL, IN FACT, NO ONE HAS SAT IN THAT SEAT FOR WEEKS. *TR

HELLO, TODAY, SUNDAY DECEMBER 12, 2010 AT 10:15 A.M., WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN MY VEHICLE, I HAD ON THE HEATED SEATS FEATURE. MYSELF AND OTHERS IN THE CAR SMELLED A BAD BURNING SMELL, SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, UNTIL I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEFT SIDE OF MY BACK AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE SIDE OF MY SEAT! THE SEAT WAS BURNING AND SMOKING AND IT BURNED MY SWEATER THAT I HAD ON AS WELL. SINCERELY, ANGRY MERCEDES-BENZ OWNER. *TR

DRIVER HEATED SEAT BACK CUSHION BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEATBACK AND DRIVER'S COAT CAUSING HER TO SWERVE OFF ROAD ... NO COLLISION. CAR HAS 23,000 MILES AND WAS ONLY DRIVEN A MILE BEFORE INCIDENT. *TR

NOTICED POWER STEERING BINDING ON OUR 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 ON 10/15/2010. THIS WAS A FIRST TIME OCCURRENCE. TOOK TO DEALER ON 10/20/2010. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS U JOINT ON STEERING COLUMN CONNECTED TO POWER STEERING PUMP NOT FUNCTIONING. DEALER REPLACED LOWER SECTION OF STEERING COLUMN. *TR

WE HAVE A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 AND JUST BOUGHT THE EXTENDED NEW CAR WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL $4500. IT WAS RAINING AND THE ALARM ON THE CAR WENT OFF, ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING AND THE REAR LFT GATE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS REAR LOCKS. THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AFTER 3 DAYS AND STATED THAT IS BECAUSE THE REAR TAIL LIGHT IS ALLOWING WATER IN AND THAT IT COMPROMISED/RUINED THE POWER LIFT GATE CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT YOU ISSUED A RECALL FOR WITH THE 2009 ML350 WITH RECALL ID # 09V076000: A FAULTY SEAL AROUND THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR COMPARTMENT CONTAINING THE SPARE TIRE. WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE POWER LIFT GATE CAN RESULT IN DISABLING OF THE POWER LIFT GATE MOTOR. CONSEQUENCES: WATER WILL CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP (MERCEDES BENZ OF TAMPA) AGREES THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY MERCEDES BENZ USA BUT MERCEDES BENZ USA WILL ONLY FIX THE TAIL LIGHT BUT WILL NOT PAY FOR THE COST OF RELOCATING A NEW POWER LIFT GATE UNIT (AS OUTLINED IN YOUR RECALL NOTICE FOR THE 2009 MODEL). THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOTED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE 2007 ML350 SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM. MOT ONLY DO I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A SEPARATE RECALL FOR 2007 MODELS BUT QUITE POSSIBLY FOR 2007-2009 MODELS SINCE THE PROBLEM EXISTED BACK IN 2007 AND STILL NOTHING WAS DONE. MANY MORE FAMILIES ARE AT RISK. THIS ISSUE DISABLED MY CAR AND COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING SINCE IT ALSO AFFECTED THE BATTERY TOO. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 ML 500 SUV, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICALLY INDUCED SMOLDERING FIRE. THE HEAT SOURCE BURNED A DIME SIZED HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR AND MY SKIN STARTED TO BURN RIGHT THROUGH MY CLOTHES. THINKING MY CLOTHES MIGHT BURST INTO FLAMES, I IMMEDIATELY CAME TO A STOP AND SAFELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN MOMENTS LATER TURNED OFF THE CAR. THANKFULLY MY CLOTHES DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND I WAS NOT IN BUSY TRAFFIC OR THIS MIGHT HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH SEAT HEATERS IN OTHER MERCEDES BENZ CARS, THIS MALFUNCTION COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS HARM TO ITS OCCUPANTS AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE CAR DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE THE PARTS AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. *TR

2007 ML350 DRIVER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT CAUSES FIRE WHILE CHILDREN IN CAR. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THE "DRIVE 1" POSITION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO "PARK" AND THEN INTO "DRIVE". THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 02/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. AFTER THE DRIVER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT IGNITED INTO SMALL FLAMES. THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE SEAT CUSHION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION WITH CAUTION TO THE RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000. UPDATED 01/08/10 *BF UPDATED 01/12/10.*JB

TURNED ON SEAT HEATER. THE LOWER PORTION OF THE BACK OF THE SEAT (LEFT SIDE) FAILED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE LEATHER SEAT COVER WAS BURNT AS WELL AS THE DRIVERS SHIRT. WHEN THE SMELL OF SMOKE BECAME EVIDENT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED OFF AND THE BURNING STOPPED. BURN HOLE IN LEATHER IS SLIGHTLY SMALLER THEN A DIME, BURN HOLE IN DRIVERS SHIRT SMALLER THEN A DIME ALSO. NO INJURY TO DRIVER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT. PRIOR TO TURNING THE HEATED SEAT OFF, THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR BURNS ON HER LEFT BUTTOCK. A ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE MECHANIC TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 1/25/10 *CN UPDATED 01/26/10

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED, THE REAR DOOR HATCH INDEPENDENTLY OPENED AND THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN SPORADICALLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TEN TIMES FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE EACH TIME YET THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT ENGAGE IN A LOCATION. IT SLIDES FORWARD AND BACKWARD AT WILL WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING. I SEE THIS AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY DEALER SAYS I'LL NEED TO PAY FOR A COMPLETE NEW SEAT ASSEMBLY. ALL MY PASSENGERS SIT IN THE REAR. THANKFULLY, THEY ARE FEW. OTHERWISE I LOVE THE CAR'

DEAR NHTSA, MY '07 MERCEDES ML-320-CD WAS BOUGHT 'NEW'. THE DEFECT OF A RUN-AWAY, HI RPM REVVING-UP OF THIS DIESEL ENGINE WAS FIRST EXPERIENCED APPROX 21/2 MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER HAVING IT PARKED AT A LOCAL SHOPPING CTR FROM WHICH I DROVE IT ONTO THE MAIN STREET ATA MODERATE SPEED OF LESS THAN 20 MPH. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO MAYBE 5 OR 6 000 RPM CAUSING THIS SUV ACCELERATE BEYOND CONTROL. I HAD TO USE BOTH OF MY FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE PULLING OVER ONTO THE CURB WHERE I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION . AFTER THAT, THIS SUV WOULD NOT RESTART AGAIN FOR A WHILE, LIKE 20 OR 30 MINS. SINCE MY RESIDENCE WAS ONLY ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY , AND AFTER RE-STARTING IT I CHANCED DRIVING IT HOME. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE MERCEDES HQ AT MONTVALE NJ VIA THE BUILT-IN SATELLITE SYSTEM AND SUBSEQUENTLY TO THE LUBBOCK, TX MERCEDES SERVICE CTR WHILE BEING THERE. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND SENT ME ON MY MERRY WAY BACK TO MY RESIDENCE IN ROSWELL, NM, ABOUT 200 MILES AWAY. I KEPT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE VERY CAREFULLY , OF CURSE AND LO AND BEHOLD IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 19 JUL '09 WHILE ON A TRIP TO PHOENIX VIA ALBUQUERQUE. WELL, I HAD A TRIP INTERRUPTION AND DELIVERED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ABQ WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR YET ANOTHER SERVICE CALL. THEY KEPT IT FOR 3WEEKS AND INFORMED ME THAT THE LEMON LAW DOES NOT APPLY AND A BUYBACK WAS NOT POSSIBLE. I AM PERSONALLY PETRIFIED USING IT TO THE EXTEND THAT I HAVE REFUSED DRIVING IT ANYMORE, I CAN NOT AFFORD HAVING AN ACCIDENT WITH IT WITH ME AT THE WHEEL. THE COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEALERSHIP IS POSITIVE BUT THEIR TRADE-IN ALLOWANCE IS SO LOW THAT IT WOULD BE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TRADING IT IN. IN CONCLUSION I WONDER WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME, BESIDES THE ATTY GENERALS OFFICE IN SANTA FE ON MY BEHALF. OF COURSE, ALL DOCUMENTATION AND INTERVIEWS BY MERCEDES PERSONNEL IS AVAIL AS WELL AS THEIR LETTER OF THEIR COP-OUT, SAY DENIAL OF ACCEPTING IT AS A 'LEMON'. *TR

YEARS AGO, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH NEW MEXICO, MY DASH AND COMMAND CENTER FLASHED OFF AND REBOOTED. IT WAS A LITTLE CONCERNING BECAUSE WE WERE USING THE GPS EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR DIRECTIONS. THERE WAS ALSO A TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON WARNING US TO GET TO THE NEAREST DEALER, WITHOUT SHIFTING GEARS. THIS HAPPENED PERHAPS 10-15 TIMES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO DETOUR TO THE MB DEALER IN ALBUQUERQUE - ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL PEOPLE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD SOUND STRANGE BUT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY GLOW PLUG SENSOR OR MODULE - WHICH THEY DIDN'T HAVE IN STOCK. SINCE OUR DESTINATION WAS L.A., THEY CALLED AHEAD TO MB OF BEVERLY HILLS (BH), (ALSO WONDERFUL PEOPLE) TO CHECK IF THEY HAD ONE. THEY (MB OF BH) COULDN'T FIND ANY OTHER TROUBLE CODES EXCEPT A FEW POWER SPIKES SO THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, UNDER WARRANTY. THEY EVEN RUSHED IT DUE TO A FAMILY EMERGENCY BACK HOME. IT HAPPENED ON THE WAY BACK SEVERAL TIMES, THEN DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL I DROVE TO COLORADO IN 2013. IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WHILE THERE. I CALLED THE MB DEALER IN DENVER WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALL ME BACK - THEY NEVER DID. I WONDER IF IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A CHANGE IN ALTITUDE OR LOWER HUMIDITY (ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGES)- PERHAPS EXTENDED DRIVING AS I DROVE 1,200 + MILES TO CO IN 20 HOURS STOPPING ONLY TWICE FOR FUEL AND ONCE FOR A HOTEL. ANY IDEAS FOLKS? *JS

ON 2/16/09 WHILE OUT DRIVING WE SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR INSIDE OUR 2007 ML320CDI JUST AS WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION. WE LOOKED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND UNDER THE HOOD TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS BURNING AND FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. THE ODOR WAS GONE BY THE TIME WE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE. WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS AND NO ODORS UNTIL 2/21/09. ON THIS DAY WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS MY HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, CLOSED THE DOOR WHILE I REMAINED IN THE CAR AND I SAW THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK (NEAR THE DRIVER'S DOOR) START SMOKING. THE ELECTRIC HEATED SEATS WERE ON AT THE TIME. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEAT TO THE SEATS AND THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THERE WAS A BURN HOLE, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL, IN THE SEAT CUSHION. ON MONDAY I CALLED OUR MERCEDES DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT DO NOT USE THE HEATED SEATS UNTIL THEY CAN MAKE A REPAIR. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3/5/09. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US THEY HAVE SEEN SOME PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THE SEAT BOTTOMS, BUT NOT THE SEAT BACK. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PICK UP THE REPAIRED VEHICLE ON 3/6/09. ON 3/6/09 WE WERE CALLED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND TOLD THE SEAT BACK HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM GERMANY AND IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS FOR THEM TO RECEIVE IT. WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 3/6/09 AND ARE WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN. NO ONE WAS INJURED BY THE BURNING SEAT, BUT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED. IT WAS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE LEATHER. THE THICK, WHITE SMOKE FILLED THE FRONT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND THE SMELL WAS AWFUL. THE SEAT WAS NOT JUST SMOLDERING, IT WAS BURNING, ALTHOUGH I NEVER SAW FLAMES, IT WAS LIKE A TOASTER GLOWING. *TR

2007 MERCEDES ML 350: POOR DESIGN OF SHIFT LEVER, LOCATED ON STEERING COLUMN PUSH UP FOR REVERSE, PUSH DOWN FOR DRIVE, PUSH IN FOR PARK (WHEN DOING SO SYSTEM MAKES NEAR INAUDIBLE SOUND.) MY WIFE PUT CAR IN PARK, GOT OUT CAR ROLLED IN REVERSE CAUGHT HER LEG AND DRAGGED HER UNDER, CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL BACK AND CRUSHED HER LEFT LEG, MBENZ SAID TOO BAD BE MORE CAREFUL THIS IS A DESIGN FAULT DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. MBENZ TOLD ME ALL OF THEIR MODELS ARE BEING CHANGED TO THIS DESIGN TO KEEP COFFEE ETC FROM SPILLING FROM CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS INTO STANDARD CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER. I GUESS MBENZ NEEDS DEATHS BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THIS IDIOTIC DESIGN ALMOST GOT MY WIFE KILLED AND NOW SHE HAS PERMANENT LEG DAMAGE AFTER SURGERY AND NEARLY 12 MONTHS REHAB. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN PARK. THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD ACROSS THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE POLE BROKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE ROAD WAS DRY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR FIVE WEEKS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DIDN'T GO INTO PARK WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD COME OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 01/15/09.*JB

COLLAPSE OF JACK DUE TO FAILURE OF SUPPORT POINT. DEALER CLAIMED NOT VEHICLE PROBLEM. HAVE SEEN TWICE, ONCE ON ML350 AND ONCE ON GL450. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THREE MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE STRUCTURE AND THE INABILITY TO USE THE TOW BAR. THE NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE COULD COME APART. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,719.