2014 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Fuel System Problems

As we were driving 50mph, the car stalled and lost all power. The dashboard lights all lit up and the car wouldn't start. I don't get unnerved easily and it was fairly intense not being able to move your car out of traffic. After about 5 mins, the car would start again only to stop a minute or so later. After taking the car to the dealer, the issue stemmed from the fuel pump electronics board getting wet in the spare tire wheel well where water was accumulating. This was part of the recall and the dealer installed a drain and replaced the board. HOWEVER, this issue again happened nearly one year later in our next rainy season. After taking it to the dealer, they said WE would need to replace the electronics board ourselves. We asked about the recall and they said they fixed the issue by installing the drain plug and there was nothing else they could do for us. Even the service adjuster was upset and very sympathetic to our plight as the car was obviously not fixed. Even though the drain plug was installed, the water was still acumulating in the wheel well. It seems apparent to me, and several others who have complained about the same issue, that the recall fix has not addressed the main issue of why the water is coming in and why it's still not draining. Unfortunately we're going to have to fork over 1200 to have it fixed. My ask to the NHTSA is that this issue be readdressed with Mercedes. I would like them to be notified that the recall does not address the underlying issues and the solution they provided does not fix the problem. I appreciate your time in considering this.

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling in the driveway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that AAA added fuel to the vehicle, and the vehicle was able to restart and operated as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline), and the dealer installed a water drain plug on the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was later intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Complete Performance, where it was diagnosed with fuel pressure failure. The contact replaced the gas cap; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled while there was sufficient fuel in the fuel tank. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart after fuel was added to the vehicle. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the fuel pump was not previously replaced during the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000( Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and accelerating above 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH before it lost automotive power. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall repair. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Diesel, Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the recall repair was performed. Soon after the recall repair, while the contact's wife was driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unaware if any warning lights had illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that there was moisture in the spare tire wheel well. The moisture damaged the fuel pump control unit which was linked to the recall. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not repaired and remained in dealer possession. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and sometimes sputtered before accelerating. The contact stated that there was water inside the spare tire wheel well. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V955000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Fuel System, Diesel). During the recall repair the water drainage plug was installed but the fuel pump was not replaced even though the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 185,000.

DIESEL FUEL LEAKS FROM A TINY CRACK FORMING ON THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE FILTER HAS MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAUSES THE BOTTOM HOUSING OF THE FILTER TO FORM SMALL CRACKS PREMATURELY. THE MERCEDES PART NUMBER OF THIS FILTER IS A 642 090 60 52 MANUFACTURED BY MANN , MADE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WHERE THE FILTER FORMS CRACKS AND LEAKS DIESEL FUEL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THERE ARE ANY VEHICLE FIRES AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. WHEN THE FILTER LEAKS, THE FUEL STREAMS DOWN THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THROUGH A WEEP HOLE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST. THIS IS IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST PIPING THAT COULD IGNITE THE FUEL AND CAUSE A FUEL FIRE RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITIES.

DIESEL FUEL FILTER AND/OR DIESEL FUEL HOSE LEAKS SPILLING HIGHLY FLAMMABLE DIESEL FUEL ON THE ROAD. THE DIESEL FUEL COULD LEAK NEAR THE HEAT SOURCE OR LEAK ONTO THE ROAD. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH OR CAUSE A FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.