2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350 complaints

THE POWERSTEERING PUMP WENT BAD AT 72,000. STARTED TO MAKE NOISE AND HARD TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT TOOK MY BY SURPRISE AND ALMOST CRASHED. DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS QUOTED 2,500 TO FIX. ITS A SHAME FOR A MB TO HAVE POWERSTEERING ISSUES AT 70K MILES.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED. ONCE AT 85000 MILES IN A PARKING LOT AT WORK IN GREENVILLE TEXAS. THIS TIME IT WAS WITH A REBUILT A1CARBIN RACK AND PINION. THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT LOCKED UP. AFTER IT FAILED THE STEERING OF THE CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE AT SLOW SPEED EVEN FOR A MAN. ALMOST HIT TWO PEOPLE BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOIDED IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED AND SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MASSIVE HEAT PENETRATED A SMALL HOLE WITHIN THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,200.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE METAL PART ON THE STEERING LACERATED HER HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

MARCH 2011, I WAS HEADING HOME. I WAS TALKING ON THE HANDS FREE PHONE SYSTEM, AND IMMEDIATELY I FELT A JERK AND HEARD A NOISE. I LOOKED AT THE CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE PANEL READ "N" NEUTRAL INSTEAD OF "D" DRIVE. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED INTO NEURAL ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH!!!! AT THIS POINT I AM IN THE FAST LANE AND HYSTERICAL. I PRESSED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE SPEED DECREASED TO 40MPH AND CARS ARE NOW RACING PAST AND BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, A POLICE OFFICER SPOTTED ME AND PHYSICALLY HIT MY CAR AND MOVED IT OVER TO THE SIDE WHILE I WAS IN IT. I EXPLAINED WHAT OCCURRED AS HE YELLED "ARE YOU CRAZY YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHAT HAPPENED". I ASKED HIM FOR A POLICE REPORT AND HE IMMEDIATELY HAD TO DEPART. THE NEXT DAY, I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS MY CONTROL PANEL NEEDED TO BE RESET, AN APOLOGY WAS GIVEN AND TEST DRIVES OCCURRED. I WAS ASKED DID I TOUCH ANY BUTTONS AND REPLIED NO. THEY RECREATED THE SCENE AND CONDUCTED A TEST DRIVE. THE CAR DID NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL EVEN WHEN IT WAS TAMPERED WITH WHILE DRIVING. ON 8 MAY 2012, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN! MY CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL TWICE IN 1 DAY! THE SECOND TIME I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. TODAY IS 15 MAY 2012, AND MY CAR IS WITH THE DEALER NOW. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING MY ML350 2008 MODEL. MUCH WORSE, THE DEALER ALLUDES TO ASKING ME HAVE I TOUCHED ANYTHING. IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN A SAFETY MESSAGE SHOULD BE POSTED, WARNING IF YOU "TOUCH" A BUTTON YOUR CAR WILL SWITCH TO

I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY THE DEALER AND ASKED THAT THEY SPECIFICALLY CHECK FOR ANY LEAKS OR OTHER ABNORMALITIES AS I WOULD BE OUT OF THE 50,000 WARRANTY PERIOD. ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED AN OIL DROP ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE SEALS IN THE STEERING WERE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ARGUED WITH THEM ABOUT PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 53000 +_ AND THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL UNLESS IT WAS A DEFECT DESIGN. EVENTUALLY THEY AGREED TO FIX IT WITH MB PAYING 1/3 AND I PAY 2/3 SOME $1200. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR THEY TOLD ME THAT IN ADDITION TO SEAL FAILURE THAT THE BEARING ON THE FIREWALL THAT HOLDS THE STEERING COLUMN WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD THEM I WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND TO GO BACK TO MB AND TELL THEM THIS IS LUDICROUS AND THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY. THE FINAL UPSHOT WAS THAT THEY INCREASED THE AMOUNT THAT MB WOULD PAY TO 2/3 AND THAT MB WOULD ALSO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BEARING REPAIR. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AS THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD OR OTHERWISE ABUSE AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AS REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND GET VERY LITTLE USE. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE HAD OTHER SIMILAR CLAIMS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR

I HAVE OWNED A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 SINCE IT WAS NEW AND IT NOW HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST WEEKEND I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THAT GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WHEEL "SPOKE". THAT IS THE MAIN PART OF THE WHEEL HAS FAILED AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE WHEEL IS ORIGINAL OEM SUPPLIED AND HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED. ALL OF THE DRIVING HAS BEEN BY MYSELF ON CITY STREETS AND FREEWAYS WITH NO ABUSIVE DRIVING, OR OFF-ROAD ACTIVITY. IN FACT THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN ON A NON-PAVED ROAD. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SO POTHOLES AS YOU WOULD FIND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE US ARE NOT AN ISSUE. MY FEELING IS THAT THIS IS A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OR DESIGN OF THE WHEEL. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED ME THAT IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON IT IN THE PRESENT CONDITION THE WHEEL WILL FAIL AT SOME POINT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHICH WILL SURELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN A POP SOUND CAME FROM THE SUNROOF. THE CONTACT THEN REALIZED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED, BUT DID NOT FALL COMPLETELY APART. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE SUNROOF AND FOUND NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE BUT ADVISED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD MORE THAN LIKELY BEEN STRUCK BY A ROCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON OPEN ROAD WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY SEAT, MY SHIRT, AND MY PANTS. I SAW A SMALL FLAME AND FELT A BURNING ON MY BACK AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. *TR

WE TOOK THE 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 IN TO A LOCAL MB DEALER FOR A SCHEDULE A SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND ASKED THAT AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AXEL BE INSPECTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT VALVE ASSEMBLY REPLACED. WE CALLED A LOCAL SHOP TO GET A SECOND QUOTE FOR THE WORK AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULDN'T QUOTE US OR TOUCH IT BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE MODEL AND YEAR -- NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 08V682000. WE CALLED MB BACK, AND THEY TOLD US OUR VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WE COULD REQUEST TO HAVE A POST-WARRANTY COVERAGE OR PARTIAL COVERAGE DETERMINATION MADE. THIS IS STILL UP IN THE AIR, BUT I'M ANTICIPATING THEY DECLINE PARTIAL OR FULL POST-WARRANTY COVERAGE AND WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW THIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE AFFECTED POPULATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES, CONTACT 4X4, SIZE 255-50-R19, DOT HWLHNXXN3807, SERIAL E402336540223360. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET GROUND WIRING CONNECTIONS AS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOCKET WITH AND UPGRADED SOCKET KIT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO UP SHIFT THE GEAR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY INSTALLING UPDATED SOFTWARE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,630 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,678. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN

IT WAS 6:30 IN THE MORNING AND I WAS PULLING INTO MY GYM'S PARKING LOT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I KEPT PUMPING ON THE BRAKE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AS IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE (AS IF IT WERE RESISTING MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT). EVENTUALLY, AND THANKFULLY BEFORE IT HIT THE BUILDING, THE CAR STALLED TO A STOP. THE CAR ACTUALLY ASCENDED 3 WOODEN PORCH STEPS AND HIT INTO A WOODEN PORCH COLUMN BEFORE STOPPING. IT WAS A VERY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. HAD I PULLED INTO THIS DRIVEWAY MID MORNING, ON THIS SATURDAY (A TIME WHEN THIS GYM IS ESPECIALLY ACTIVE), I COULD VERY WELL HAVE KILLED SOMEBODY. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT. AT THE TIME, I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR TO DRIVE (AT NO EXPENSE TO ME). I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT A CASE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT. AFTER A WEEK'S TIME, I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ (800-367-6372 X6302 JUSTIN) IN AN EFFORT TO ASCERTAIN THE STATUS OF THIS INVESTIGATION. I COULD NOT GET A DIRECT ANSWER OF ANY KIND FROM THE GENTLEMAN THAT I SPOKE TO. MERCEDES BENZ'S LACK OF COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN VERY DISTURBING GIVEN THE SEVERITY OF THIS SITUATION. THIS IS A LEASED CAR WHICH I HAVE HAD FOR A LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR. WITHOUT ANY KIND OF EXPLANATION FROM MB AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED, I DON'T THINK I WOULD STEP INTO THIS CAR IF AND WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INTERVENTION YOUR DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED TO PUT FORTH ON MY BEHALF HERE THAN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS MANEUVERING TOO EASILY AND IS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

MERCEDES BENZ ML 350 2008 WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER PUT THE CAR INTO PARK TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT. DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE. DRIVER OPENED THE BACK SEAT DOOR AND VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 31/2 FEET. DURING THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE DRIVERS FEET WERE RUN OVER BY VEHICLE AN PINNED UNDER LEFT BACK TIRE. 911 WAS CALLED POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED TO JACK UP CAR AND PULL DRIVER OUT FROM UNDER THE TIRE. PARAMEDICS ATTENDED AND DRIVER WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. DRIVER OBTAINED COMPRESSION INJURY WITH FOOT FRACTURE. DRIVER WILL BE CONTACTING MERCEDES BENZ TO NOTIFY OF INCIDENT REPORT AND INJURY. DRIVER WOULD LIKE COMPLAINT REGISTERED AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION TO AVOID SUCH FUTURE INCIDENCES RELATED TO ELECTRONIC SHIFTING COLUMN DEVICE INJURIES. *TR

CAR STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. DAUGHTER WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID TREE AND INJURY TO HER AND HER PASSENGER. *TR