2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Electrical Problems

NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT SUPPORTING STATEMENT Vehicle: 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 I am submitting this complaint regarding a continuing safety concern involving water intrusion and electronic system damage in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. My vehicle was subject to a Mercedes-Benz recall involving water intrusion and related components. Despite recall-related repairs being performed, moisture and water intrusion concerns remain unresolved. During the diagnostic process, Mercedes-Benz personnel identified evidence of water and humidity in areas associated with vehicle electronics and control modules. The vehicle has experienced repeated mechanical and electronic issues following discovery of the water intrusion condition. Multiple repair facilities have been involved, and I have incurred significant diagnostic and repair expenses while attempting to determine the full extent of the damage. The primary concern is not ordinary wear and tear. The concern is that water intrusion has affected vehicle systems and that the recall remedy has not resulted in a complete resolution of the condition. I am concerned that moisture exposure may continue to impact vehicle electronics, control modules, sensors, and other safety-related systems. Mercedes-Benz USA has been notified and a case has been opened. The dealership has also been involved. However, despite escalation requests and requests for management review, I have not received a meaningful resolution. The dealership continues directing me back to Mercedes-Benz USA while Mercedes-Benz USA has not provided a final management response. I respectfully request that NHTSA review whether the recall remedy adequately addressed the water intrusion condition and whether additional investigation is warranted regarding continuing moisture intrusion, electronic system exposure, and potential safety risks associated with this condition. I am prepared to provide repair orders, recall documentation, photographs, diagnostic findin

NHTSA ID

11741266

Incident

Dec 17, 2025

Good morning ! I am an owner of a 2013 ML 350 . I live in San Diego ,CA ,92103 . I was driving my car on [XXX] and it was raining a lot . After around 30 miles I got to my destination parking area and my car died 20 feet away from the parking zone .I tried to reignite it but it wouldn’t start . I checked it with a OBD2 scanner and it was indicating a code U0109 - Lost communication with fuel pump control module . After looking into solutions and reasons for the issue online I came across a post regarding an existing recall with NHTSA with ID 22v955 regarding water intrusion in the spare wheel well portion of the trunk( The Wheel well is not water proofed and doesn’t have a drain port for water to escape ) . I proceeded with inspecting the area and of course it was full of water . The fuel pump control module is located in that area and it was damaged which shorted it and cause the malfunction of the vechile and the error code U0109 stated above . Tried calling Mercedes Benz but they confirmed about that specific recall but said my VIN is not part of it and I should file a claim or complain with you . I will attach proof and pictures of the water and the damaged component. My car now need to be towed and fixed on my expense because of Mercedes Benz negligence… Hopefully you can add my car to this recall and when this happens I would get some kind of reimbursement… Thank you for your time and understanding. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11699776

Incident

Nov 15, 2025

Started to have an issue with the blind spot assist showing inoperable. Shortly after depending on the outside temperature the AC would start shutting off and on. The days the temperature was above 95 degrees the AC would suddenly stop working. Took the vehicle to the dealer for AC service. Dealer reports the engine "back" wiring harness had been rubbing, exposing and chaffing the harness wires, and for safety concerns a complete harness replacement is necessary. When asked how was this possible since the harness clearance is a manufacture design. Was told it happens on these vehicles and currently there is no recall.

NHTSA ID

11603207

Incident

May 13, 2024

Turn signals stop working after driving a mile or so. If possible, I turn the car off and on. Turn signals work but fail again within a few miles. Hazard light work even when the turn signals fail. I’ve read this is a common issue searching the internet. Definitely a safety concern

NHTSA ID

11541795

Incident

Aug 30, 2023

2013 Mercedes Benz ML350 (W166) engine (m276) began misfiring. Palm Springs Mercedes Benz diagnosed faulty camshaft positioning sensor leaking engine oil into engine electrical harness which wicked through harness to ECU. Faulty (leaking) camshaft positioning sensor caused faulty harness, ECU, injectors, o2 sensors. Said common problem on these and other models and engines.

NHTSA ID

11463905

Incident

Apr 23, 2022

WARNING SIGN COMES UP : BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE . WHEN THE WARNING SIGN COMES UP THE RIGHT AND LEFT BLIND SPOTS IN THE MIRROR REMAIN LIGHT UP AND ALSO I AM NOT ABLE TO SIGNAL TO CHANGE LINES . THESE HAPPENED ALREADY 3 TIMES OVER PAST 3 MONTHS AND LASTS FOR HOURS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY . I TRY TO STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY , TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON STILL WON'T WORK FOR SOME TIME . I HAVE TAKEN VIDEOS OF THESE HAPPENING . *TR

NHTSA ID

11323391

Incident

Apr 19, 2020

VEHICLE HAS 129,000 MILES. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN FUEL IS LOWER IN THE TANK AND/OR ON AN INCLINE, RPM DROPS TO ZERO, NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL DOES ANYTHING UNTIL THE ENGINE SPEED PICKS UP, USUALLY WITH A JERK FORWARD. MAKES GOING ONTO A BUSY STREET VERY UNSAFE. HAVE READ IT MAY BE SOFTWARE RELATED.

NHTSA ID

11217365

Incident

May 31, 2019

Mileage

129,000 mi

STEERING COLUMN MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. 400,000-500,000 RECALL ALREADY IN UK, 2017 RECALLED-IT AFFECTS 2013 MODELS ALSO JUST LIKE THE UK RECALL. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO PARK OR REVERSE

NHTSA ID

11191431

Incident

Mar 20, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

I KEEP EXPERIENCING THE "PRE-SAFE LIMITED" WARNING. THE CAR BREAK STARTS FADING, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON THE WORKING CONDITIONS. THIS SITUATION IS SO UNSAFE BECAUSE THE CAR BECOMES HEAVY AND THE STEERING TURNS HARD TO MANEUVER.

NHTSA ID

11110678

Incident

Jul 11, 2018

Mileage

100,234 mi

IN MAY 2017, WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ACCELERATION WAS EXTREMELY REDUCED IN A VERY DANGEROUS WAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS AN OIL LEAK THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING ON THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH CAUSED WIRING/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR ENTIRE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY FAIL. ESTIMATED REPAIR IS $13,500. THE VEHICLE HAS 34K MILES, AND THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN LATE FEBRUARY 2017. HAD ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT DEALER IN FEBRUARY, NO OIL LEAK DETECTED. DEALER SERVICE TECH WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE AND HAS SEEN TEN OR SO OF THEM. UNPROTECTED WIRING HARNESS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION, REPORTED SMALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO MB DEALER, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE/DETERMINE CAUSE. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE COMPLETED AT MB DEALER PER MB SCHEDULE. CONTACTED MBUSA TO REQUEST A GOODWILL REPAIR CREDIT GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE REPAIR, THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE, HISTORY WITH MB, ETC. AND SINCE THIS DEFECT LIKELY PREDATED WARRANTY EXPIRATION. MBUSA CUSTOMER CARE CENTER WAS INDIFFERENT. PARTS ALONE ARE $8,000. MBUSA OFFERED TO CONTRIBUTE ONLY 10%.

NHTSA ID

10991521

Incident

May 11, 2017

Mileage

34,000 mi

GOING NORTH ON I-95 IN MASS AT 65 MPH IN A DRIVING RAIN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM AND SPEEDOMETER BOTH WENT TO 0, AND THE NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ALL OTHER SYSTEMS (INCLUDING BRAKE, LIGHTS, RADIO, WIPERS, ETC) APPEARED TO WORK FINE. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER, PUT CAR IN PARK, AND RESTART CAR. EVERYTHING WAS FINE AFTERWARDS, BUT OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS CONDITION IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. WILL TAKE TO DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10668108

Incident

Dec 23, 2014

Mileage

14,500 mi