The automatic rear hatch closed but did not lock. During acceleration the rear hatch started to open. Any further attempts to lock the hatch were unsuccessful and the rear hatch could not be locked.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

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.

- Fort Washington, PA, USA