2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Problems

LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID COMING FROM HOSES, OR PIPE, OR SOME CONNECTION. I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WHEN I STARTED MY CAR ONLY TO HEAR A LOUD WHINING NOISE AND A HARD-TO-TURN STEERING WHEEL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT WAS TURNED AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE COLUMN. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT WAS TURNED AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE COLUMN. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE CAR HIT 170.000 MILES

SIDE-SWIPED ON THE FREEWAY. WITNESS STATE THE VEHICLE ROLLED 4-5 TIMES. NO FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Hello my check engine light is on in my 2004 Mercedes ml350 so I took it to a Mercedes dealership for inspection and repairs. They kept my suv for 8 days and finally called me back and said they believe the check engine light is on because I need to replace my charcoal canister shut off valve. Now this component takes the gas vapors that has not been burned off and reroutes it through the charcoal canister and back into the engine so it can be burnt off and not enter the atmosphere and enter the inside of the vehicle. Well My suv has failed inspection for emissions and that’s why I brought it in to Mercedes. Well the service department at Mercedes called me 8 days later and said Mercedes does not make that part anymore. And no other aftermarket company makes it either. They charged me $200 to tell me they can’t fix it because the part is not made anymore. So am I safe ? Why Mercedes never recalled a vehicle that can not pass states emissions test. I wrote a letter to the head of Mercedes in Europe and the United States. They offered me $2,000 off of a new Mercedes or $1,000 off a Pre owned Mercedes. Sounds like they know something is not right here. So my complaint is can a car manufacturer stop producing a part that is needed to safely pass the emissions test and isn’t these fumes harmful to me and my family?

CAR SUDDENLY DEVELOPED EXTREME GASOLINE ODOR AFTER A BRIEF 20 MILE TRIP. CURSORY CHECK DID NOT IDENTIFY SOURCE. UPON RETURN TRIP, SAME EXTREME SICKENING ODOR RETURNED. UPON PULLING INTO GARAGE GASOLINE WAS VISIBLY POURING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND POOLING ON GROUND. IT LOOKED TO BE COMING DIRECTLY FROM GAS TANK AREA BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE MAIN SOURCE AS IT WAS SPRAYED THROUGHOUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE. ASIDE FROM THE NAUSEA, THIS CLEARLY POSED A SIGNIFICANT FIRE DANGER AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TRANSPORTED TO THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIR COSTS NOW. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER INCIDENTS OR EXTERNAL REASONS THAT MIGHT HAVE LED TO THIS (SUCH AS RUNNING OVER SOMETHING OR HITTING SOMETHING IN THE ROAD). AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN, AND CONTINUES TO BE EXPERIENCED BY OTHER OWNERS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

FRONT SEATS GETS VERY HOT WHENEVER WE TURN ON THE SEAT WARMER OPTION. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN AT LEAST FROM 5 TO 6 MONTHS. WE ARE SCARED IT MIGHT BURN OUR BACKS. THANKS

MAY 2010 I HAVE PROBLEM IN MY 2004 ML350. MY WIFE TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER TO THE HIGH SETTING. WITHIN A SHORT TIME THE HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE IN A SMALL SPOT ( LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN) WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE IS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONLINE SEARCHES I DID FOR THE 03 AND 04 ML350. I SPOKE TO A BENZ ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND THAT IT IS A SHORT IN THE SEAT WIRING. HE SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HIM. I AM GOING TO CALL THE DEALER TODAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SLOWING DOWN ON A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,040.

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET, I NOTICED THAT BRAKES HAD STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED THAT A CORRODED BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I HAD CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODING IN THE AREA CLOSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR BRAKE LINES TO CORRODE AND LEAK. I HAVE NOT NOTICED CORROSION ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR, EXCEPT THE BRAKE LINES. *TR

DISCOVERED BRITTLE, BROKEN AND MISSING WIRING INSULATION ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT ALLOWED THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WIRES TO COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CREATING A SHORT.

DURING A ROUTINE CHANGE OF A HEADLIGHT LAMP, THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DISCOVER THAT THE INSULATION ON ALL FOUR WIRES IN THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE CRACKED, DISINTEGRATING AND MISSING LEAVING THE BARE WIRES EXPOSED. THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WOULD NOT CHANGE THE BULB UNTIL A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS FABRICATED AND THE DISCREPANCY WAS CORRECTED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BARE WIRES ARE IN AN ENCLOSED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, CONTACTING FLAMMABLE MATERIALS. A SHORT IN THESE WIRES CAN LEAD TO SYSTEM FAILURES, OVERHEATING AND FIRE IN THE HEADLAMP AREA. RECOMMEND A RECALL FOR INSPECTION AND IF THIS DISCREPANCY IS DISCOVERED, RECOMMEND AN IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRES IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.

DISCOVERED BRITTLE, BROKEN AND MISSING WIRING INSULATION ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT ALLOWED THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WIRES TO COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CREATING A SHORT.

DURING A ROUTINE CHANGE OF A HEADLIGHT LAMP, THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DISCOVER THAT THE INSULATION ON ALL FOUR WIRES IN THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE CRACKED, DISINTEGRATING AND MISSING LEAVING THE BARE WIRES EXPOSED. THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WOULD NOT CHANGE THE BULB UNTIL A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS FABRICATED AND THE DISCREPANCY WAS CORRECTED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BARE WIRES ARE IN AN ENCLOSED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, CONTACTING FLAMMABLE MATERIALS. A SHORT IN THESE WIRES CAN LEAD TO SYSTEM FAILURES, OVERHEATING AND FIRE IN THE HEADLAMP AREA. RECOMMEND A RECALL FOR INSPECTION AND IF THIS DISCREPANCY IS DISCOVERED, RECOMMEND AN IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRES IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.

VERY LARGE PIECES OF PLASTIC TRIM HAVE BLOWN OFF MY CAR ON THE INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT I SURMISE IT DID SOME DAMAGE TO THE CARS BEHIND ME AND MOST LIKELY COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE TRIM WAS NOT FASTENED ON SECURELY AT THE FACTORY. *TR

CRACK IN FRON BUMPER WITH NO OTHER DISCERNIBLE DAMAGE. ALL LIGHTS AND CASINGS IN TACT WITH NO MARKINGS TO INDICATE CRASH.*AK

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWSUIT TO REPLACE MY 04 ML 350 ON THE BASIS OF SAFETY. THE ENGINE FAILED 18 TIMES ON THE ROAD (IN ADDITION TO ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS). WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA USA--2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 - LIST PROBLEMS AND MUCH TIME SPENT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT-- 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 IS THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. IT HAS SPENT HALF OF ITS LIFE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HERE IS A OF MY PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PAST 28 MONTHS: 1.THE ENGINE OF CAR SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE 2. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS TURNS ON AND AFTER THAT IS SHUT DOWN. AGAIN THE CAR IS AUTOMATIC. IT TURNS OFF 3.THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON AND OF INTERMITTENTLY- WITH OUT REASON 4.DIAGNOSE HAVE PROBLEM 5.ETS FAILED 6.BRAKE PADS, FRONT, INCLUDE FRONT ROTORS REPLACED 7.STALLED TWICE 8.PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED 9.CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE 10.GPS NOT WORKING 11.CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE (SECOND TIME) 12.BRAKE PADS, FRONT & REAR, INCLUDE FRONT & REAR ROTORS (SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 8K MILES) 13.REAR WIPER WASHER CONTAINER LEAKING 14.NAVIGATION SYSTEM LCD SCREEN FLICKERING 15.BAD BATTERY ALL OF THESE ABOVE MAKE US TERRIBLE- THE CAR BRING AT HOME ONLY 27 MONTH BUT HAVE TO STAY IN THE SHOP FOR 18X TIMES WE DID CONTACT A MB MARKET FOR REQUEST ABOUT THE RECALL AND REPLACE FOR US BUT THEY DENIED IT. NOW I HAVE GO TO LOOKING SOMEBODY HELP. *NM

TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. MERCEDES REPRESENTATIVE GREED TO PAY FOR 2 TIRES, 4 MOUNTINGS AND ALIGNMENT. THEY REFUSED ANY PAYMENT AFTER REMOVING TIRES FROM THE RIMS. ADVISED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD PUT OLD TIRES BACK ON. THE CONTACT SPENT 5 HOURS SITTIING AND WAITING. THEY INSTALLED THE NEW TIRES, BUT CONTACT PAID FRO ALL $1,035. *AK

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VERY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR RESPONSE. DURING THESE 2 YEAR THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. WE DID CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ HEADQUARTERS..MARKET TOO MANY TIMES AND EXPLAIN ABOUT US CAR. BUT THEY ARE IGNORE NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A LAWSUIT TO REPLACE MY 04 ML 350 ON THE BASIS OF SAFETY. THE ENGINE FAILED 18 TIMES ON THE ROAD (IN ADDITION TO ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS). WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA USA--2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 - LIST PROBLEMS AND MUCH TIME SPENT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT-- 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 IS THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. IT HAS SPENT HALF OF ITS LIFE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HERE IS A OF MY PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PAST 28 MONTHS: 1.THE ENGINE OF CAR SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE 2. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS TURNS ON AND AFTER THAT IS SHUT DOWN. AGAIN THE CAR IS AUTOMATIC. IT TURNS OFF 3.THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON AND OF INTERMITTENTLY- WITH OUT REASON 4.DIAGNOSE HAVE PROBLEM 5.ETS FAILED 6.BRAKE PADS, FRONT, INCLUDE FRONT ROTORS REPLACED 7.STALLED TWICE 8.PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED 9.CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE 10.GPS NOT WORKING 11.CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE (SECOND TIME) 12.BRAKE PADS, FRONT & REAR, INCLUDE FRONT & REAR ROTORS (SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 8K MILES) 13.REAR WIPER WASHER CONTAINER LEAKING 14.NAVIGATION SYSTEM LCD SCREEN FLICKERING 15.BAD BATTERY ALL OF THESE ABOVE MAKE US TERRIBLE- THE CAR BRING AT HOME ONLY 27 MONTH BUT HAVE TO STAY IN THE SHOP FOR 18X TIMES WE DID CONTACT A MB MARKET FOR REQUEST ABOUT THE RECALL AND REPLACE FOR US BUT THEY DENIED IT. NOW I HAVE GO TO LOOKING SOMEBODY HELP. *NM