What owners reported
Newest filingsElectrical System
Filed Mar 24, 2026148,000 milesNY
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH on the parkway, the contact heard a noise and several warning lights illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the Signal Acquisition Module (SAM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V678000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was 148,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 21, 2025NV
Subject: Complaint Regarding Failure to Repair Safety Recall – Brake Booster (STOP DRIVE ORDER) Background In August 2022, I received a “STOP DRIVE ORDER” recall notice from Mercedes-Benz, informing me that my ML350 was unsafe to drive due to a defective brake booster. Despite repeated attempts over nearly three years, the recall repair has not been completed. Attempts to Obtain Recall Repair Initial Attempts: Contacted Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz (Las Vegas) twice; they refused to schedule service citing workload. Henderson Dealership: Scheduled inspection with Mercedes-Benz of Henderson. Technician inspected my ML350 at my home, confirmed the brake booster issue, and arranged for towing. Improper Repair Demands: After holding my vehicle two weeks, Henderson dealership issued an $8,200 estimate for unrelated repairs (tires, control arms, starter). I refused, as these were unnecessary and unrelated to the recall. The service manager demanded I remove the vehicle from the lot immediately or he would have it towed to impound. Recall Parts Unavailable When I contacted Mercedes-Benz USA, I was told parts for the brake booster recall were not available, contradicting the dealership’s prior statements. My vehicle was returned unrepaired. Vehicle Mishandling •Tow company returned the vehicle at the wrong time, left it on the street with a window down, and failed to return the key. •Despite repeated requests, the key has never been returned. •The ML350 sat exposed for months, regist
Steering
Filed Sep 10, 202590,000 milesVA
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel locked. The battery warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Aug 14, 2025196,577 milesGA
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while an independent mechanic was servicing the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that there was a mileage discrepancy based on the Carfax history report. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase in October 2024, the vehicle mileage was 146,743; however, the Carfax history report displayed that the mileage was 196,577 on July 15, 2024, while an Auction company was still in possession of the vehicle.
Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Jun 23, 2025140,000 milesMS
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH in heavy rain, she observed smoke emanating from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that there may have been unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, multiple unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the key pad stopped working, and multiple electrical components stopped working, and that she experienced sinus issues thereafter. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the SAM module got wet and there was an electrical fire because the wires were not covered and the SAM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was not diagnosed, but the SAM module was replaced. The failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic, where it has yet to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 14, 2025IA
These models were recalled on March 9, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09v076000. my vin number apparently did not fall within the selected vin numbers. However my auto even though it is the same year as the recall has this same exact defect and condition and is deemed to be a fire hazard. what are my options.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring
Filed Jun 24, 2024230,000 milesAL
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the brake sensor warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause someone to be injured in the event of a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 13, 2023CA
Fuel tank on driver side of vehicle is leaking. Heavy gas smell inside car and leakage around fuel tank. Took the vehicle in to mechanic today (04/13/23).
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 30, 2022140,000 milesAR
The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH with his wife in the front passenger seat and his children in the rear seats, his wife smelled a strong burning odor and saw smoke coming from underneath the front passenger seat. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. Both the contact and his family exited the vehicle and ran away from the vehicle. The contact stated that approximately 30 seconds after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire and exploded several times, causing a nearby tree to catch on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was awaiting to be totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 2022PA
2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-315.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 2022CO
Driver side front door and driver side back door do not unlock or lock. You have to Manually unlock and lock.
Electrical System
Filed Feb 14, 2022104,284 milesFL
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door with the key fob, the fob failed to open the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed that the headlights failed and the gas gauge also failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear Signal Acquisition Module (SAM) board was corroded, and the rear SAM module needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,284.
Exterior LightingFire
Filed Jul 19, 202185,000 milesOH
The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she detected a smoke odor inside the vehicle and pulled over. The contact saw that there was smoke coming from the trunk before the vehicle caught on fire. The SRS and battery warning lights were illuminated. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was not filed. No medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and another dealer Mercedes-Benz of Bedford (18122 Rockside Rd, Bedford, OH 44146) were made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer but was unable to speak to a representative. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V076000 (Exterior Lightning). The failure mileage was 85,000.
Exterior LightingFire
Filed Jul 19, 2021OH
THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11425551*DJR The contact owned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 350. The contact stated while at the stop light, the warning message "SRX Malfunction, Service Required" appeared and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact stated as she smelled a burning odor, she veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke coming out of the windows of the vehicle. The contact stated fire had started in the trunk of the vehicle and she was able to extinguish it with the assistance of the fire department. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V076000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 25, 2021115,000 milesMN
THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT ONCE PULLED OUT. OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL DAYS, THEY SLOWLY WORK THEIR WAY BACK UP. NO VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A SEATBELT FAIL; IT IS EVEN MORE RIDICULOUS THAT THIS PART FAILED IN A CAR THAT IS THIS EXPENSIVE OR THAT HAS HAD SUCH A LONG HISTORY OF SAFETY. IT ISN'T SAFE FOR ANYONE TO SIT IN THE BACK SEATS BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS ARE OUT-STRETCHED SO FAR THAT A PERSON WOULD BE THROWN FORWARD A WAYS BEFORE THE SEATBELTS STOPPED THEM. THAT IS DANGEROUS.
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 202040,000 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOW SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHT WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ DALLAS (113 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209; (214) 736-5753) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 7, 202045,351 milesFL
STRONG GAS ODOR, CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE FIRE. THE WAS IN MOTION, THE ODOR KEPT GETTING STRONGER AS I DROVE THE CAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, THE ORDER STARTED TO GO AWAY. THE ISSUE WAS SPECIALLY STRONG WHEN THE AC WAS TURNED ON. IT WAS HARD TO BREATHE WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR. THE ISSUE WAS WHEN EVER THE CAR WAS IN MOTION IN CITY STREET AND IN THE HIGHWAY.
Electrical System
Filed Jul 15, 2019116,500 milesWA
FAILING/FAULTY EIS ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE HAS 117,000 MILES AND HAS INTERMITTENT IGNITION ISSUES. I PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION A MESSAGE ON THE DASH, "KEY DOES NOT BELONG TO VEHICLE", CAR WILL NOT TURN TO START, TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE CAR START. THE MERCEDES DEALER IN MY AREA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUES AS NEEDING TO REPLACE EIS, ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM, EST. COST OF $3,700.00. THE ISSUE HAS GONE TO INTERMITTENT TO EVERY TIME I TRY TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS LOW MILES AND HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT
Electrical System
Filed May 15, 2019102,000 milesPA
THE LIFTGATE ON MY CAR QUIT WORKING RECENTLY. I DISCOVERED THAT THE LIFTGATE MOTOR WAS IN A POOL OF WATER. THERE IS A RECALL 09V076000 THAT IS ALREADY ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. FOR SOME REASON MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH IT IS THAT MODEL YEAR AND THE EXACT PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE.
Seat Belts
Filed Apr 29, 201970,000 milesID
BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT. THEY ARE FULLY EXTENDED.
20 of 93 complaints, reproduced as filed.