2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical Problems

I bought a 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350 4Matic in late 2023 from auction with a salvage title and I can't take it to inspection center to get plates, because a lot of things such as signal lights, seats power, key fob, radio, wipers, and rear gate to work because the rear SAM module is damage by rain water, which I found on YouTube that at least 3 models from 2006 to 2012 (including my model) suffering from same problem and yet Mercedes company didn't forced to considered as a recall so we can fixed for free since it is not our fault.

NHTSA ID

11602503

Incident

Jul 16, 2024

The contact's wife owned a 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while they were out of town, the vehicle was parked in their driveway. The contact stated that a neighbor contacted them and made them aware that the vehicle had caught on fire. A bystander contacted the fire department and the fire was extinguished. The fire department informed the contact that the fire had originated from an electrical failure in the rear of the vehicle. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11489804

Incident

Oct 15, 2022

Mileage

167,000 mi

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving the front driver seat caught on fire while the seat heater was on. The contact stated that the back part of the seat was smoking and he stopped the vehicle, exited, and noticed the back of his jacket and seat had a hole. The contact stated that he was not injured. The contact did not see flames. The contact stated that he put his hand on the hole to stop the smoke. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure cause was not diagnosed as he only received an estimate to replace the seat and heating system. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Consumer has stated warranty has expired. Heated seat coil and electric wires/assembly was the cause of fire.

NHTSA ID

11447496

Incident

Dec 14, 2021

Mileage

95,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I SMELLED WHAT SMELLED LIKE WIRES BURNING THEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON BY ITSELF AND WIPED AT A VERY FAST PACE, THEN THE HORN STARTED BLOWING (ON ITS OWN) VERY LOUDLY, I PULLED OVER AT A TIRE SHOP AND I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PANEL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. WHEN I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WIRING HARNESS AND THAT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11331697

Incident

Jun 25, 2020

Mileage

80,105 mi

TODAY, AND WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, MY CAR AND I ALMOST BURNED WHEN I TURNED ON THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER. I STARTED FEELING AN EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE LEFT BACK SIDE. I STOPED ON THE RIGHT OF THE FREEWAY TO DISCOVER THAT THE SEAT LEATHER WAS BURNED WITH HEATING WIRE, WITH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE SEAT. MY SHIRT WAS DAMAGED WITH THE BURN. SEARCHING THE WEB, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11281676

Incident

Nov 21, 2019

Mileage

5 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SEAT CONTROLS, AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE BECAME INOPERABLE. ALSO THE SRS WARNING DISPLAYED MEANING THE AIRBAGS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. SEEMS THAT THE SAM MODULE IS THE CULPRIT BUT NOTHING SHOULD BE ABLE TO STOP SUCH VITAL SAFETY ISSUES FROM HAPPENING ALL AT ONCE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AND A RECALL IS NEEDED IN MY OPINION.

NHTSA ID

11163862

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF THE RESIDENCE WHEN A NEIGHBOR INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE POLICE WAS ALSO PRESENT, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11092230

Incident

May 5, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE PREMATURELY CORRODED AND THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF SACRAMENTO, 1810 HOWE AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95825,1810 HOWE AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95825) FAILED TO ENSURE THAT THE MODULE CASE WAS COVERING THE AREA WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11005320

Incident

Jun 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTING HARNESS BURNED THE BULBS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO MANUALLY DISCONNECT THE FUSES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,502.

NHTSA ID

10920357

Incident

Jun 6, 2016

Mileage

105,502 mi

1) CAR IS HAVING RECURRING ISSUE WITH SEAT BURNING DUE TO SEAT HEATER. DEALER CORRECTED ISSUE BUT ISSUE PERSISTS. NOT ABLE TO TURN HEATER ON. DEALER CLAIMS ISSUE IS FIXED BUT WHEN HEAT SEATER IS TURNED ON, BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE FILLS CAR. ADVISED DEALER THAT CAR IS LEAKING WATER IN SINCE NOTICED WATER ON THE TRUCK IN THE REAR WHERE THE COMPUTERS ARE. ONCE WATER IS IN, ALL SORTS OF ELECTRICAL LIGHT ISSUES HAPPEN WITH THE CAR. 2) CAR IS HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH, IT SEEMS ML350 HAS THIS RECURRENT ISSUE. CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY BENZ IS NOT HAVING THIS RECALL. CAR STOPS MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. CANNOT GET IT TO RUN. HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF, PUSH IT ASIDE AND TRY MULTIPLE TIMES FOR CAR TO MOVE.THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WITH KIDS INSIDE TRUCK SINCE THAT IS THE REASON WHY I BOUGHT TRUCK FOR OVER MORE THAN 35 K. DEALER CLAIMS ITS A TRANSMISSION COVER VALVE BODY BUT DOES NOT GUARANTEE REPAIRS. DEALER STATES EVEN AFTER THIS REPAIR, THE ISSUE COULD PERSIST AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH COULD COST ANOTHER 4000 USD IN ADDITION TO 2000 TO CHANGE PLATE. IT IS OBVIOUS MERCEDES BENZ HAS LET US DOWN AND ALSO HAS MADE IT DANGEROUS FOR US TO DRIVE THEIR CARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. IF YOU GO ONLINE, EVERYONE WITH THIS TRUCK IS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND IS SHELLING DOLLARS OUT TO MERCEDES DEALERS FOR FIXES THAT ARE NOT GUARANTEED.

NHTSA ID

10810843

Incident

Dec 15, 2015

Mileage

101,000 mi

I BACKED CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND ALL INSTRUMENTS ON PANEL STARTED TURNING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. MY LIGHTS BLINK OFF AND ON ,MY CLOCK REWINDS , ,MY RADIO LIGHT GET BRIGHT THEN TURNS DARK. THIS CAR IS GARAGE KEPT SO WHY IS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BAD .THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN IT IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION ALSO POWER STEERING LEAK

NHTSA ID

10808970

Incident

Aug 2, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

DRIVER'S SIDE SAM MODULE SHORTED DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. ALSO, LIFTGATE INOPERABLE DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE CARGO COMPARTMENT AND DAMAGING THE MODULE. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS REMAIN ON AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND WARNING LIGHTS FLASH EVERY 8 TO 10 SECONDS UNTIL BATTERY DRAINS. 2009 AND LATER ML350 RECALLED FOR WATER INTRUSION INTO THE CARGO COMPARTMENT VIA A DEFECTIVE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY SEAL AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE HAZARD TO THE LIFTGATE MODULE. WATER FOUND IN OTHER CAVITIES OF THE 2007 ML350. AFRAID OF THE FIRE HAZARD FOR THE 2007 ML350 AS WELL. DEALER SAYS 2007 ML350 NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL NUMBER 2009030003. *TR

NHTSA ID

10693542

Incident

Feb 25, 2015

Mileage

84,000 mi

THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT HEATER. A WHOLE THE SIZE OF A DIME BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE FLAME BURNED A HOLE INTO THE COAT OF THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10572777

Incident

Mar 4, 2014

Mileage

75,500 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON: CODE 0060 = CONTINUOUS CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT ( RIGHT ) : INCORRECT POSITION OF THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ( P000B ). *TR

NHTSA ID

10519639

Incident

Jun 11, 2013

Mileage

41,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND WATER IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER ENTERED THE LIFT GATE CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSED THE MODULE TO SHORTEN AND BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10505971

Incident

Apr 5, 2013

Mileage

80,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10433837

Incident

Aug 2, 2011

Mileage

54,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10343499

Incident

Jul 17, 2009

Mileage

33,000 mi

2007 ML350 DRIVER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT CAUSES FIRE WHILE CHILDREN IN CAR. *CN

NHTSA ID

10322740

Incident

Mar 27, 2010

Mileage

33,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10215758

Incident

Dec 27, 2007