2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350 complaints

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

CAR CONTINUES TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY. CAR RESTARTS AFTER THIS BUT CONTINUES TO STALL AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR

CAR STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE IS NO COMPUTER RECORD THAT THE DEALER CAN FIND ON THE CAR TO CONFIRM ANY FAILURE BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WITH DIFFERENT DRIVERS. *TR

CAR STALLED AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER ONCE AGAIN CANNOT FIND ANY FAULT WITH CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES ML350. WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, SHE SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SMOKE DISTRACTED HER AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE ARRIVED. A REPORT WAS FILED AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DUE TO THE HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

I HAD THE SEAT HEAT ON, AND WAITING TO PICK UP MY FAMILY IN FRONT OF A THEATRE, I SMELLED BURNING, I OPENED THE WINDOW, TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS BURNING OUTSIDE, I SUDDENLY FELT A PINCH IN MY LEFT LOWER LEFT BACK, I OPENED THE DOOR AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, I SAW ON THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT A WHOLE THAT WAS GLOWING BRIGHT RED, I SAW FIRE WAS STARTING, I HIT IT FEW TIMES WITH MY HANDS AND PUT OUT THE GLOWING FIRE, THE SMELL WAS SICKENING, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND STARTED CHECKING MYSELF, I FELT A HOLE IN MY WINTER JACKET. THANK GOT THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STOPPED, IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THIS WOULD HAVE SURELY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT IS HARD TO DESCRIBE THE PANIC CONDITION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

WHILE OUT OF STATE ON VACATION, WE ACTIVATED BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WARMERS IN MY CAR. AFTER ABOUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES OF ACTIVATING THE SEAT WARMERS, WE BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING LEATHER. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEEING THE SMOKE, WE PULLED OVER TO THE ROADSIDE TO SEE WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. ONCE WE EXITED THE VEHICLE WE REALIZED MY HUSBANDS JACKET AND SHIRT HAD BEEN BURNED BY THE MALFUNCTION IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK WARMERS. AFTER INSPECTING THE SEAT BACK, WE SAW THAT THE SEAT HAD A LARGE BURN AREA. WE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF BOTH SEAT WARMERS AND THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE. THE BURNING FINALLY STOPPED AFTER TUNING OFF BOTH THE SEAT WARMERS AND THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE WORST ENCOUNTER THAT I EVER HAD WITH A VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE A BRAND NEW MERCEDES-BENZ ML350, 2007 MODEL FROM DOWNTOWN LA MOTORS. I HAD ALWAYS DREAMED OF OWNING A MERCEDES-BENZ, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF EXPERIENCE WITH SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS VEHICLE. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD PURCHASED MY DREAM VEHICLE, BUT AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE I REALIZED THAT I WAS MISTAKEN. THIS EXPERIENCE SPOILED OUR TRIP, AND TRAUMATIZED MY FAMILY AND I. NOT ONLY DID IT SPOIL OUR TRIP, WE WERE INCONVENIENCE AND DEVASTATED BY THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND ALSO TO MY HUSBAND WHO WAS ALMOST BURNED BY THE INCIDENT. MY VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. UPON COMPLETION OF THE REPAIRS,

WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350, THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT DOWN, MEANING ALL CONTROLS LOCKED UP AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGERS SEAT. MY CHILDREN & I EXITED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES - TOTALLY ENGULFED. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT CREATING A CHAIN REACTION OF FOUR VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS ONE PERSON INJURED FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WHO WAS EVACUATED IN AN AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A BRAKE FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB *NM

PURCHASED A 2007 ML350 APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO. PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY DURING A HOUSE HUNTING TRIP, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE GEAR CHANGE BUTTON ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, OPENED THE DOOR, EXITED THE AUTO, WALKED UP THE STAIRS TO THE HOUSE AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR. IT WAS AT THIS POINT I HEARD MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN (WHO WERE STILL IN THE CAR) SHOUTING AT ME. I TURNED TO SEE THE CAR MOVING FORWARD. THE CAR HAD BEEN PLACED IN PARK (THE P WAS NOTED PRIOR TO MY LEAVING THE AUTO) AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAD POPPED ITSELF THROUGH N - NEUTRAL INTO D-DRIVE AND WAS ROLLING FORWARD. I RAN TO THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PLACE THE CAR BACK INTO P-PARK, THE CAR CAUGHT MY LEG AND I WAS DRAGGED WITH THE CAR ANOTHER 15 FEET, UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET THE GEAR INTO P-PARK. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE IT ROLLED INTO THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHERE IT WAS SCRAPED ALONG A STUCCO WALL AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHERE IT MADE CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE DOOR. THE HOMEOWNERS GARAGE DOOR HAS A SIZABLE DENT IN IT. MY KNEE HAS A DEEP ABRASION FROM BEING DRAGGED UNDER THE CAR, AND IS EDEMATOUS, WITH DECREASED MOVEMENT. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE UNHARMED. I PLACED A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER ARRIVING HOME. THEY HAVE ADVISED I BRING IN THE AUTOMOBILE SO THEY CAN REVIEW THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT DOCUMENTS THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE CAR WAS PLACED INTO PARK. *NM