2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11726683

Incident

Mar 16, 2026

Mileage

148,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11680606

Incident

Aug 4, 2025

Mileage

196,577 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11668575

Incident

Nov 19, 2024

Mileage

140,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11654619

Incident

Apr 14, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11499523

Incident

Dec 29, 2022

Mileage

140,000 mi

Driver side front door and driver side back door do not unlock or lock. You have to Manually unlock and lock.

NHTSA ID

11483240

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11451820

Incident

Feb 6, 2022

Mileage

104,284 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11232097

Incident

May 6, 2019

Mileage

116,500 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11207940

Incident

May 3, 2019

Mileage

102,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY FOB WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE 'KEY IS NOT FOR THIS CAR' MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED AND WAS THE SAME KEY THAT HE HAD ALWAYS USED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CONTEMPORARY MOTOR CARS INC., 100 OCEANPORT AVE, LITTLE SILVER, NJ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11088888

Incident

Feb 18, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL , BRAKE LIGHT HARNESS

NHTSA ID

11064049

Incident

Apr 3, 2017

SINCE I GOT MY CAR ML 350 2009 HAVE TO MANY PROBLEMS LIKE CHANGING TIRES EVERY 3 MOUNTHS PLUS ALIGNMENT NEVER DONE CORRECTLY , I HAVE CONTACTED FROM SOMEHOW TO CHANGE MY AIRBAGS AND AFTER I COMPLETED ALL INFORMATION BUT THEY NEVER GOT BACK TO ME . PLUS I HAVE SERIES ELCTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE WINDOW ,BACKUP CAMERA,DOOR PANELS AND CROSS CONTROL IS NOT WORKING AT ALL WHEN I USE IT FOR A LONG TRIP OR DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY SPECIALS WHEN IS THERE FOGG AT THE STREET . AND THE LIGHT I CHANGED IT TO MANY TIME BUT STILL NEVER GOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SEE IN THE FRONT OF ME WHILE I AM DRIVING . I WISHED I NEVER HAVE MERCEDES AND I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11047244

Incident

Feb 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. WHILE DRIVING, A BURNING RUBBER ODOR AND SMOKE WERE PRESENT UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND, WITHIN MOMENTS, FLAMES COMPLETELY ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ID

10937267

Incident

Dec 21, 2016

Mileage

31,000 mi

2 ISSUES: RIGHT SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. SECOND; AFTER A WEEK IN THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX AN A/C UNIT THAT CUTS OUT REPEATEDLY, AND THE ASSURANCES THAT THE NEW HARNESS THEY INSTALLED WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM, IT HASN'T. EVEN THOUGH THE OUTSIDE TEMPS ARE NOT INTO TRIPLE DIGITS, IT WILL STOP COOLING AND SLOWLY THE AIR TEMP RISES. I THOUGHT THAT BEING IN SLOW TRAFFIC WAS THE REASON, BUT ON THE OPEN ROAD AND AN OAT OF 74, IT DID IT AGSIN.

NHTSA ID

10873875

Incident

Jun 11, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS AN ORANGE LEAK INSIDE, DEALER SAID THAT THEY NEVER SAW SOMEHING LIKE IT BEFORE. NEED TO BE REPLACED, THE CHARGE IS ABOUT $2000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10714709

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

Mileage

54,000 mi

MY MERCEDES ML350 WAS PARKED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT OF THE RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT. BY THE TIME THAT WE SAW IT AND EXTINGUISHED IT THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE CAR TOTALED.(MATTER OF MINUTES) THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THAT FIRE CAME FROM THE ELECTRICAL PANEL IN THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. I HAD NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OTHER THAN A HALF AN HOUR EARLIER THE LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT WAS STUCK ON. ALSO TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR I CALLED THE DEALER TO SAY THAT I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS SOME PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD RANDOMLY STOP COOLING. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY COULD NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM - IT WAS INTERMITTENT. SINCE THE FIRE MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN TERRIBLE. I ASKED THEM TO REPLACE MY LOST BELONGINGS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE (THIS WASN'T MUCH) AND IT APPEARS THAT ALL THEY WANTED TO DO WAS GET RID OF ME AND SWEEP THIS ISSUE UNDER THE RUG. CUSTOMER SERVICE MERCEDES OFFERED TO GIVE ME $4,000 OFF THE BEST DEAL THAT I COULD NEGOTIATE OFF A NEW MERCEDES AT MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IF I WAS TOO BUY A NEW ONE - THEY SEVERAL TIMES GAVE EXTENDED ME THIS OFFER - WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GOT A PRICE, CUSTOMER SERVICE MERCEDES TOOK BACK THEIR OFFER. WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR THE ATTENDANT HUNG UP ON ME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GOOD TO DEAL WITH - CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE TERRIBLE! I'VE CALLED THREE TIMES SINCE AND THEY WILL NOT PUT A SUPERVISOR ON THE PHONE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR - IT SHOULD DEFINITELY BE LOOKED INTO SO THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO OTHERS. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT THE FIRE DIDN'T START WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHE. I HAVE PICTURES IF ANYONE CARES TO SEE PROOF OF WHAT I'M SAYING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10558192

Incident

Aug 9, 2013

Mileage

45,000 mi

THE BACK HATCH ON MY 2009 MERCEDES ML350 WOULD NOT OPEN USING THE ELECTRONIC KEY OR THE DRIVER BUTTON IN THE DOOR. THERE WAS A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OPENING, BUT THE LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE THE DOOR. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY BATTERY WOULD SUDDENLY BE DEAD. I ASSUMED I MUST HAVE LEFT A LIGHT ON. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I SAW A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT I REALIZED THAT MY UNOPENED HATCH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY AT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $300. MERCEDES BATTERIES ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED AT THE MERCEDES DEALER. I CAN ONLY OPEN THE HATCH MANUALLY BY CRAWLING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND TRIPPING A SWITCH AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I AM CHECKING ON HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO HAVE THE LATCH AND ACTUATOR REPLACED. ESTIMATES APPEAR TO BE ABOUT $1,000 TO HAVE THESE PARTS REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ON ONE SITE MERCEDES EVEN ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH LATCH ON THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10534063

Incident

Nov 1, 2012

Mileage

95,000 mi