RoadVitals

2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Dec 22, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 28, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML350. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 25

Filed Dec 22, 2023

The Floor Mats I received for my vehicle covered a portion of my accelerator pedal and would when up into the back above the pedal and to the right of it and would get caught and force my accelerator pedal to stay down. I told the company of their design flaw, and they said would not do anything about it. If I wanted to send it back it would cost more than the pads were worth. I paid $189.95. I got PayPal involved and if I paid the shipping cost to send them back they would rebate me the money that I paid. That's only if the mats are in perfect condition when they receive them. So it cost hours of BS and $60 so I get back at least $129. But with that said I felt you should know that they are selling and sending things not made for the cars they promise they will be for.

NHTSA ID
11561486
Incident
Nov 27, 2023
Steering
Filed Dec 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V465000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID
11163528
Incident
Nov 22, 2018
Mileage
175,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 9, 2016

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RESEVIOUR, AND HOSE AFTER LOOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFILLING WITH FLUID ALL THE CONTENTS RAN RIGHT OUT. I DO SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2008, BUT I DID NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 2/15. IS THERE ANY WAY POSSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL?

NHTSA ID
10873347
Incident
May 10, 2016
Mileage
136,690 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ID
10871855
Incident
Aug 10, 2009
Mileage
99,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 22, 2016

RANDOM LOSS OF POWER ' (THE ENTIRE PANEL LIGHTS UP) AS THE CAR SUDDENLY AND SLOWLY POWERS OFF WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A DROP, DRIVING, BREAKING, AND TURNING, COMING TO A STOP AND ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 3800.00 FOR CAR REPAIR ON THE ML 350. IT SHUTS OFF MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. SO MUCH SO WE DO NOT ALLOW OUR DAUGHTER TO DRIVE UNLESS I AM THERE AND NOW NOT EVEN THEN UNTIL WE HAVE HAD IT FIXED FOR THE 4TH TIME (WE THOUGHT) AFTER CRANK SHAFT, SPARK PLUGS AND NOW ELECTRICAL WORK WE ARE AT A TOTAL LOSS. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED BUT MERCEDES BENZ HAS HAD OTHER REPORTS OUR AND OTHERS ' NOT REPAIR / OR RECALLED BUT IT SEEMS MAJOR TO OUR FAMILY ' AS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND OTHER OWNER THAT HAVE INVESTED IN THIS MAKE.

NHTSA ID
10861000
Incident
Oct 12, 2015
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 3, 2015

WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WITH THE ISSUE RELATING ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES AND AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT. I FEAR DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN IT SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AT ONE POINT AND THEY HAVEN'T ADDRSSED IT. I'VE SPENT $4500 TO REPAIR AND THEY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND I'M NOT CERTAIN THEY KNOW HOW.

NHTSA ID
10761160
Incident
Sep 2, 2015
Mileage
97,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2014

I HAVE A 2003 ML350 SUV. I BOUGHT MY CAR USED. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS REGARDING STEERING. I HAVE REPLACED ONE RACK AND PIN WHICH I BELIEVE WAS USED. NOW I AM IN NEED OF ANOTHER ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660076
Incident
Nov 21, 2014
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 9, 2014
1 injury reported

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, BURNS WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. BURN SMELL, BURNED SKIN OF DRIVER. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE READ OF MANY INSTANCES OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. MERCEDES NEEDS TO REPLACE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621045
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Mileage
40,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2013

BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 01/2008 AFTER A MONTH OR TWO I STARTED TO FILL RESERVOIR WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AS NEEDED WHICH IS OFTEN. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ REGARDING THE RECALL BUT DENIED MY REQUEST. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID
10553146
Incident
Mar 15, 2008
Mileage
57,500 mi
Steering
Filed May 5, 2013

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, WHEN I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE SUV BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT. I SAW AN OIL LEAK WHERE IT HAD BEEN PARKED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY TOYOTA, AND LEFT THE MERCEDES PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE LARGE OIL LEAK CONCERNED ME.I SPOKE TO A MERCEDES MECHANIC AND DESCRIBED WHAT I HAD HEARD, AND HE SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A STEERING PROBLEM. I CHECKED ONLINE AND NOTICED THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE STEERING HOSE AND CLAMP FOR ML 350 MODELS YEARS 2003 +. IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL OIL LEAKS OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE RECALL IS STILL VALID? DOES THE MERCEDES DEALER STILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE HOSE AND CLAMP? WHAT IF THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THESE PARTS, THEN WHAT DO I SAY OR DO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10510655
Incident
Apr 26, 2013
Mileage
74,072 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 23, 2009
Fire reported

I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. WHEN TURNED ON, THE SEAT WARMER IN THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HOT, I HAVE RECEIVED A SLIGHT BURN AND I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR A FIRE (TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE MAY BE UNDER THE SEAT COVER) ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF IN TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289476
Incident
Oct 13, 2009
Steering
Filed Apr 24, 2009

RE: NHTSA SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005 VEHICLE INFORMATION: 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ODI#10261473 MY ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER, 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: 206.340.5959) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEMS, FOUND THAT 'VERIFIED NOISE, INSTALLED ELECTRONIC EARS, TO ISOLATE NOISE FOUND NOISE FROM INSIDE OF STEERING PACK ASSEMBLY,' AND INSPECTION FEE WAS $152.60, SUGGESTING REPAIR WAS TO REPLACING THE GEARING (RACK) AND COST ESTIMATED $2,252.02. BY FEBRUARY, I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL FROM ALAN MCLAREN (V.P. CUSTOMER SERVICE OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC; ONE MERCEDES DRIVE, PO BOX 350 MONTVALE, NJ 07645, TEL: 1-800-367-6372, FAX: 201-476-6211), THEN I SEND MY VEHICLE TO JOHN SHEPARD (PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE), WAS TOLD THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN RESOLVED, NO NEED TO REPAIR, NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT INSPECTION FEE $ 152.60(EVEN IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE SAYS 'IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS RECALL CONDITION CORRECTED PRIOR TO THIS NOTICE YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT), WHICH CAUSE MY DEEP CONCERN THAT THIS MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND DEFECT MY VEHICLE SAFETY IN THE FUTURE. AFTER I FILED A COMPLAINT 03/05/2009 TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION FOR NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND ALAN J. MCLAREN (VICE PRESIDENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, MERCEDES BENZ USA, LLC), I RECEIVED A CALL FROM ROBERT (201-476-6200,201-476-6326) WHO WAS SO CALL 'ASSISTANT TO EXECUTIVE FOR MERCEDES BENZ USA 04/02/2009, ROBERT SAID HE WILL PROBE THIS MATTER AND GET BACK TO ME NEXT MONDAY, SO FAR THREE WEEKS PASSED, I HAVE TOLERANTLY WAITED YET NO REPLY FROM ROBERT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266650
Incident
Feb 5, 2009
Mileage
29,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Apr 5, 2009

IN REGARDING TO SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005: 1. HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION. 2. ITS CONSEQUENCES: A. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILING B. VALVE COVERS LEAKING 3. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKETS. TOTAL CHARGES WERE $1,544.62 ($775.40 FOR PARTS, THE REST WAS FOR LABOR). SAFETY RECALL #2003-040005 LETTER STATES THAT "IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS RECALL CONDITION CORRECTED PRIOR TO THIS NOTICE YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT". I PRESENTED THIS CASE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE BUT THEY DENIED MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD RECEIVE THE REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENT TO SUPPORT THIS CASE. PLEASE HELP US TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10264171
Incident
Sep 18, 2007
Mileage
49,492 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 10, 2009

MY 2003 MERCEDES ML350 ONLY 37,000 MILES THE NOISE (STEERING RACK PROBLEM) HAD BEEN APPARENT SINCE 29,000 MILES. I SCHEDULED WITH JOHN SHEPARD (SERVICE MANAGER OF PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE, [email protected], 2025 AIRPORT WAY SOUTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134 PHONE: 206.340.5959, FAX: 206.654.7119) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEMS, FOUND THAT 'VERIFIED NOISE, INSTALLED ELECTRONIC EARS, TO ISOLATE NOISE FOUND NOISE FROM INSIDE OF STEERING PACK ASSEMBLY,' AND INSPECTION FEE WAS $152.60, SUGGESTING REPAIR WAS TO REPLACING THE GEARING (RACK) AND COST ESTIMATED $2,252.02, AND JOHN SHEPARD TOLD ME THAT 'AS I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WERE AWARE THAT AN OFFER OF 50% PARTS AND LABOR IS ON THE TABLE? I HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO THAT, SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED TODAY, THE OFFER STILL STANDS. THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE RACK AND IT WOULD CARRY A ONE YEAR UNLIMITED MILE WARRANTY. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A FAIR OFFER AND HOPE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. I AM SORRY THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WOULD LOVE TO HELP GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.' BY FEBRUARY, I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL FROM ALAN MCLAREN (V.P. CUSTOMER SERVICE OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC; ONE MERCEDES DRIVE, PO BOX 350 MONTVALE, NJ 07645, TEL: 1-800-367-6372, FAX: 201-476-6211), THEN I SEND MY VEHICLE TO JOHN SHEPARD (PHIL SMART MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER AT SEATTLE), WAS TOLD THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN RESOLVED, NO NEED TO REPAIR, NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT INSPECTION FEE $ 152.60, WHICH CAUSE MY DEEP CONCERN THAT THIS MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING THE VEHICLE, DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND DEFECT MY VEHICLE SAFETY IN THE FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10261473
Incident
Feb 10, 2009
Mileage
29,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 21, 2009

MY M-350 HAD NO POWER. THE HARNESS CABLE (163-540-28-32) LOCATED BEHIND AND AGAINST THE BATTERY HAD COMPLETELY BEEN DESTROYED BY THE BATTERY ACID ENVIRONMENT. THE CABLE SUPPLIES THE OPERATIONAL POWER TO THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTO. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING WHEN THIS COMPLETE FAILURE OCCURRED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE ELSE. ALL SYSTEMS IN THE CAR WERE TOTALLY NON-FUNCTIONAL. NO SHIELDING OR PREVENTION OF DAMAGE TO THE CABLE WAS ENGINEERED INTO THE FACTORY INSTALLATION OF THIS CABLE. THE BATTERY WAS THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION AND NO MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY HAD OCCURRED IN THAT AREA OF THE CAR SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTO OF THE CABLE THAT SHOWS THIS CONDITION. I WAS CHARGED $2,483.65 BY JACKIE COOPER IMPORTS OF TULSA, LLC ( THE TULSA MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER) TO REPLACE THE CABLE. I ALSO WAS CHARGED APPROXIMATELY $125.00 FOR THE TOWING OF THE CAR (SUV) TO THE DEALER FOR THESE REPAIRS. FOR A WORLD CLASS SAFETY AWARD WINNER CAR, TO BE ENGINEERED WITH THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS CABLE NEXT TO A BATTERY WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM ACID FUMES IS TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL. I'M WORK IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND WE WOULD NEVER ALLOW THIS INSTALLATION TO BE APPROVED. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST SO I CAN FORWARD THE PHOTOS AND COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDERS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT A RECALL NOTICE BE IMPLEMENTED ON THIS VEHICLE TO AVOID POTENTIAL DEATHS, INJURIES, AND LOSS OF PROPERTY TO THE PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10259532
Incident
Sep 12, 2008
Mileage
77,500 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW HOSE CLAMP AT THE COST OF $259. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. SHE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN UPDATED 03/10/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10255843
Incident
Nov 24, 2008
Mileage
64,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 16, 2008
Fire reported

MY FAMILY OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY MOM NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE BELIEVED ONE OF THE MECHANICS BURNT IT WITH A TOOL DURING THE CAR'S SERVICE. SO THIS BURN MARK WAS IGNORED. ON DEC. 13, 2008 AROUND 8:20 AM, MY MOM, WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE AND A SMALL FIRE FROM THE SIDE OF HER SEAT. SHE COULD NOT HAVE PULLED OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. SHE TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THEN SHE PUT IT OUT WITH A TOWEL SHE WAS SITTING ON, IT TOO WAS BURNT, BUT PREVENTED MY MOMS LEG FROM GETTING BURNED BY THE FIRE. THE FIRE HAS LEFT A BURNED HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I'VE CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CASE LIKE MINE, NOR THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE VISITED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT DOCUMENTED MY CASE AND FAXED A COPY TO THAT DEALERSHIP. I AM GOING TO MEET THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO IS TO GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, FIXED, AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252047
Incident
Dec 13, 2008
Mileage
24,500 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 25, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNING. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR HIS WALLET IN HIS BACKPOCKET, HIS PANTS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNED THROUGH HIS LEATHER SEATS. THE CONTACT SEARCHED THE INTERNET, BUT FOUND NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,400.

NHTSA ID
10249773
Incident
Nov 23, 2008
Mileage
51,400 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2008

I OWN A MERCEDES ML 350 2003; WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK THIS MORNING THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING, BECAME DISABLED AND STEERING, BECAME IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR SLOWED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROAD WITH SPEED LIMITS UP TO 40 MPH AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR INTO THE SHOULDER CREATING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. EVENTUALLY THE CAR COASTED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND ALL LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS INITIALLY A KEY FAILURE IN WHICH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR COULD BE LOST WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY REACTION WHICH WAS "AND YOU GUYS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT" I WAS TOLD THAT INSTEAD IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. CURRENTLY MERCEDES HAS A RECALL PENDING OR BEING CONSIDERED ON ONE OF THERE 2007 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL, BUT SHOULD BE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229634
Incident
Jun 2, 2008
Mileage
93,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jan 22, 2007

HEATED SEAT, DRIVER SIDE, BURNT THROUGH SEAT ON LEFT SIDE OF THIGH AND THROUGH CLOTHING. SKIRT AND JACKET DAMAGED. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY A NATIONAL RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS, INCLUDING MGR AT MERCEDES OF GREENWICH WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10179355
Incident
Jan 20, 2007
Mileage
36,555 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Feb 24, 2006
Fire reported

2003 MERCEDES ML 350 SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE HEAT SEATING DEVICE THAT IS WHEN THE SEATS CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151933
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Engine
Filed Feb 3, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD SIDE A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED.

NHTSA ID
10149378
Incident
Feb 2, 2006
Mileage
35,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Sep 7, 2005

STEERING IS MAKING A WHEEZING NOISE AND IT FEELS HARD TO STEER COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. ENGINE FELLS LIKE STALLING AFTER HITTING BRAKES; ENGINE IS SHAKING ON THE DRIVE MODE WHEN YOU ARE NOT MOVING AND ON BRAKE MODE; MORE THAN 10 TIMES, WILL TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135564
Incident
Sep 6, 2005
Mileage
19,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jun 27, 2005

DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT CAUSING A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT . DAMAGED DRIVERS PANTS AND WALLET. DEALER TO REPAIR/REPLACE SEAT IN MID JULY

NHTSA ID
10126701
Incident
Jun 2, 2005
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Mar 28, 2005
1 injury reported

THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT OVERHEAT BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER. *JB *BF *NM

NHTSA ID
10111403
Incident
Jan 4, 2005
Mileage
26,652 mi

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