Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Complaints

497 consumer complaints on file.

#11647608March 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I believe the electrical system may be defective as ever since I have had it the light bulbs frequently have to be changed. We own three vehicles in my households (the other 2 are non-Mercedes) and none of my other vehicles do this. The latest issue with the electrical system is that the rear tail lamp and power lift gate. I was told there was water that was getting in from somewhere but mechanic could not find where. I need a new SAM module and that is why my power lift gate motor does not work. As I did some research online, the same exact problem was recalled on a the same model but the 2009 model and I have the 2011 model. I believe my car should be part of the same recall which I believe is Mercedes recall number 2009030003. That appears to be a faulty seal around the rear tail lamp assembly. I believe this is a manufacturer's defect that should be covered and would likely explain why I have had to change out light bulbs so many times over the years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637887January 23, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My name is [XXX] My vehicle cut off on me 3 times twice while stationary and once at an intersection. Found oil in engine control module due to failed cam position sensors. Oil has traveled through the engine harness to ECM causing oil to get into module and cause it to shut down but it did start back up. This is very dangerous and could cause serious injury to someone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634676January 7, 2025
ENGINE
Vehicle failed oil consumption test. Vehicle has been leaking and/or losing oil for months despite the issue being alleged fixed under NHTSA recall 18V272. The issue is ongoing and Mercedes Jacksonville is claiming the oil leak is from another issue not covered under warranty or recall order. I do not believe they are unrelated and they have not been able to identify the exact issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634404January 6, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle stalled without warning, and I was advised by a mechanic that the fuel pump control unit was reporting a fault through the onboard diagnostics port and the check engine light on the dashboard. It was necessary to replace the fuel pump control unit as the defect was intermittent and subject to occur at any time the vehicle was being driven. There is no available solution save the replacement. I had the fuel pump control unit replaced at my cost and after replacing it found information concerning the NHTSA recall campaign online. The defective fuel pump control unit was discarded upon replacement and is not available for inspection. I believe the failure of this fuel pump control unit is a direct result of the recall not being complied with. I believe the manufacturer; Mercedes Benz USA is responsible for my costs expended in repairing this defect under the recall campaign because they did not notify me of the recall. I purchased this vehicle from an authorized Mercedes Benz USA dealer, my personal contact information is a matter of record of the sale, and I believe Mercedes Benz USA had a duty to contact me concerning the NHTSA recall campaign #2023010002 concerning this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632362December 25, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On [XXX], while driving on the highway about 30 miles from Columbus, Ohio my 2013 Mercedez Benz ML350 suddenly stalled and lost power. There was no prior warning. Luckily, we were in the outer lane with no car close behind us so my husband slowly guided the car to the side road. The car has since been towed and is currently at the Service Department at Mercedez Benz of North Olmsted, Ohio, 44070, for repairs. I have been informed by the Service Manager that they have identified the fuel pump to the problem and that it needs to be replaced. Coincidentally, this vehicle went for Maintenance Servicing at the same dealership and was returned to me on Monday December 16th. No problem with the fuel pump was identified or reported to me. This vehicle is available for inspection About 4 years ago, the exact same incident happened with this same vehicle where it suddenly stalled and completely lost power on the highway in the middle of nowhere on our way from Ohio to Iowa. There was no prior warning. Similarly, the car was towed to Mercedez Benz North Olmsted but per the same service manager their inspection revealed no problem and the car restarted on its own so nothing needed to be fixed. I am reporting this recurring problem with my vehicle because of the obvious safety risk of sudden stalling and power loss on the highway, the fact that 4 years ago when this happened Mercedez Benz should have recognized what the issue was and replaced the fuel pump but did nothing about it, and also due to the fact that many Mercedez Benz vehicles have experienced this same problem leading to multiple recalls including many 2013 ML 350s. I believe my vehicle has a defective fuel pump from the manufacturer just like the recalled vehicles and that my vehicle and many more need to be recalled INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630504December 13, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a new vehicle from the dealer in 2014 in 2019 the wood grain trim cracked. I had this replaced by the dealer in 2019. Now again, in 2024, the same issue the wood grain has cracked. This should not be happening every few years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629538December 8, 2024
SEAT BELTS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The driver's seat belt is locked and the retractor is not working without any reason. The front adaptive cruise control radar is also not working, along with the crucial blind spot sensor. Because of this, the vehicle cruise control (even without adaptive mode) is not working at all. This is a big safety issue and it is illegal to even drive this car without the seat belt working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628291December 2, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the abnormal shaking occurred at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with timing chain failure. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628398December 2, 2024
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that there was water on the floor below the front driver’s side. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer because the battery was drained. The contact stated that while the vehicle was placed onto the tow truck, the contact and the hauler noticed that the vehicle continued to leak water. The contact advised the dealer that after the battery was replaced, the contact asked that the location of the leak be sought. The contact received the vehicle with the battery replaced; however, contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625550November 15, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My wife was driving home from shopping and noticed an accumulation of dust on the rear window. She used the rear wiper to clean it but it came right back, she repeated twice and gave up. Approx 3-4 miles later she heard a POP and red lights came on the dash, when she pulled over ASAP in a safe spot smoke started coming from under the hood. She shut the engine off and tried to exit the car to find the hood release under the dash but there was fire coming out from under the car. She closed the door, grabbed her purse and cell phone and got out quickly as possible, burning her ankle and singing her long skirt. She got approx 50 feet away, looked back and the entire car was ablaze, centered mid vehicle, as well as 4-5 spot fires along the road she had just traveled. Previous to the POP the car was driving, steering, and braking normally, no warning lights of any kind. Visiting the site the next day revealed sound deadening/insulation material in and along side the roadway for 2-300 yards as well as dripping molten aluminum, corresponding to the area traveled after she first heard the POP. The vehicle had extensive repairs of cascading failing emissions system components only 7-9 months earlier, culminating with 42 days at Mercedes San Rafael where one component after another failed and was replaced. Myself and all knowledgeable persons i talk to assume it was an overheated catalytic converter that caused the problem. So far Mercedes has not been aggressive i trying to determine the cause. I've hired a forensic company and a joint inspection is pending. Cal Fire was able to contain the vegetation fire started by the vehicle at 85 acres, known as the Veteran's Fire-Igo as it occurred near the Veteran's Cemetery, using multiple fire engines, bulldozers, helicopters and a boride bomber. We are thankful she was alone in the car at the time without grandchildren buckled into car seats in the back or the results surely would have been much more tragic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11619805October 15, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH as the contact depressed the brake pedal, he felt that the brake pedal was soft and he had to depress the pedal with more force to stop. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616163September 24, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while adding washer fluid to the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was oil leaking from the upper timing chain covers down onto the alternator. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the upper timing chain covers needed to be removed and resealed. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the oil needed to be cleaned off the engine and the alternator. The contact stated that upon investigating the failure, the contact became aware that the upper timing chain cover coating material did not allow the cover to seal properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613011September 6, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving locally and when I put on the brakes for a car exiting a street. Immediately my car sensor went on and my car brakes started to fail. It was a very scary situation. This is a known problem with Mercedes. Mercedes has a recall for the brake booster but will not fix the booster without the brake like being fixed. I have reached out to foreign motor car dealerships and this issue with the brake line is a known problem and a safety issue but Mercedes is not taking responsibility for this issue that can kill someone for their parts that are corroding and rotting. Mercedes too years to take responsibility for the brake booster which can kill people and now they are not taking responsibility for their brake line issues that again can injure and kill people.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603923July 22, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING
Turn signals will not operate, dealership quoted me $1400 3 years ago, had the work performed and now the issue is happening again and I am being quoted the same amount of money. This is a safety concern if I cannot signal to others where I am turning!!!!! This could cause an accident!!!!! This is highly unsafe!!! What if my kids were in the car?! Talking to customers in waiting lounge at dealership other people have had same issue!! The one time they stopped working I had a person hit me going 30 mph, could have been much much worse.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603926July 22, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My indicators stopped working a month prior to accident, then they started working again. On March 10th the issue happened again where I turned my signal on and no light appeared and no light on the dash with the indicator sound either. Boom, I had sideswipe someone on a major road causing an accident. NHTSA needs to do something about this because corporate won’t do anything!
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11603207July 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Started to have an issue with the blind spot assist showing inoperable. Shortly after depending on the outside temperature the AC would start shutting off and on. The days the temperature was above 95 degrees the AC would suddenly stop working. Took the vehicle to the dealer for AC service. Dealer reports the engine "back" wiring harness had been rubbing, exposing and chaffing the harness wires, and for safety concerns a complete harness replacement is necessary. When asked how was this possible since the harness clearance is a manufacture design. Was told it happens on these vehicles and currently there is no recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602716July 16, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING
Steering column module is intermittently not working as intended, therefore the blinkers will sometimes not work causing it to be a safety concern if I can not signal where I am going. When looking this issue up online I have seen numerous different forums and posts where people have had the same issue. When I took my vehicle to the dealership they had told me that this is very common with the vehicle I have and they do the fix all of the time, just for the issue to happen yet again later down the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598349July 2, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ML350 engine stalled while driving on an expressway and would not turn back on. ML350 needed to be towed where it was determined that water accumulated in the spare tire wheel well, leading to the fuel pump short circuiting. This is directly related to NHTSA campaign 22V955000. That recall repair was completed prior to this incident. Per the technician, the recall repair installed a water drain plug to prevent the water accumulation. This repair effectively failed - the drain plugs malfunctioned and were not allowing water to drain. MBUSA deny’s responsibility for the failing drain plug - stating that the trunk weatherstripping is the root cause, not the failing drain plug. This is an unacceptable response and worth of the recall being expanded. The fuel pump control unit can still short out if MBUSA’s poor excuse of a recall fix fails as it did with mine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593805June 12, 2024
ENGINE
an Exhaust recycle hose cracked; causing cabin to fill with carbon dioxide. Driver, (me) became disorented.. ran off right shoulder, ran into center divider cement, before rearending truck. Engine light later came on indicating (HVOC?) ERROR Mechanic was able to locate leak and repair. Vehicle now performing properly. A DEFECT THAT ALLOWS CARBON DIOXIDE INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN, IS A SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11592867June 6, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
I was in drive mode and was looking to park the car on the open spot on the street. Had engaged the reverse gear and was attempting to get in the parallel parking spot. While i was doing that, suddenly the wheel locked up and car stopped with a jerk/jolt. Then came warning that the parking brake was not working (Remember I had not engaged the parking brake as I was in drive mode). The locked up wheel would not move and I had great difficulty in making the car safe in the cross traffic. The issue here is parking brake cannot engage by itself. That has nothing to do with the age of the car, it is like the wheel cannot come off just because the car is old. This could have easily happened while the car was in motion at a higher speed, in that case with 1 wheel locked, a car would spin out of control in a moving traffic causing major damage to other vehicles and myself. Mercedes's rep claimed it was a maintenance item. Parking brake engaging by itself is a maintenance item?? We should put a notice to all customers and your life is in danger because the parking brake can engage by itself locking the wheel anywhere anytime. I am very apprehensive of this design which allows for auto lock of a wheel. It must be investigated and all the parking brake systems should be replaced as it can happen to anyone. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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