10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 48,147 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Due to water in the spare wheel well, (Recall ID:22V955) our fuel module and fuel pump went out. While driving in traffic on I-5 our car stalled then stopped which put us at risk of a crash.The first time (July 2022) It was repaired by Cooper's Auto Repair), After the 2nd time it failed again in Aug 2022, once again as we were driving, our mechanic at (Boyle's Foreign Car Repair) Aug 2022 & Dec 2022 (replace) decided to do an inspection of the whole car to see why this was happening, upon inspection he found water in the spare wheel well, He pulled out the plug to stop accumulation. 2 months later (Feb 2023 )we received the recall letter. In the letter it states that MBUSA would reimburse repairs performed prior to the recall. MBUSA is now refusing to reimburse for replacement but also refusing to find and fix where the water in entering. We reside in a very wet part of the country and see this as a continuing issue. There also is condensation in the back tail lights, which was not there until this issue started occurring. The car was previously in S Cal so there was no issue with water accumulation until it was moved to the rainy Pacific NW. We are fearful of using this car during very wet times as we do not know if this (failure of pump/module) will occur as well as condensation and water being in the back tail lights possibly resulting in the car stopping during it being driven. Therefore putting our lives in potential danger of an accident.
- Tacoma, WA, USA
Took our 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 bluetec to the dealership numerous times due to an overpowering fuel smell and burned plastic in the cabin of the vehicle. We had to stop several times because we felt sick as if we were going to pass out and/or throw up. But, then it started to affect our children and we demanded that the dealership find the root cause. They finally determined that it was a fuel leak around the fuel injectors that completely charred components in the fuel injection cavity. It could have created a fire or loss of control of the vehicle. I noticed that this has been reported to the NHTSA which is why I am also reporting this now also. My vehicle is only serviced by the Mercedes-Benz dealership. The dealership is charging me $1900 for the repair of the charred components. NHTSA id number: 11090864 reported exactly the same issue. I thought I was going crazy until they found the root cause of the smell. Now that there are at two reported cases of this both in 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 vehicles it should be investigated.
- Tampa, FL, USA
After being into authorized Mercedes Benz dealership only for an strong diesel fuel smell and oil leak 3 times in less than 4 months on our ML350 bluetec engine fuel smell is strong enough that we have a sever headache, nauseous feeling and have to stop the car and get out for fresh air, opening windows only gets more of the smell in of fuel and burning plastic. This happens while vehicle is in motion, both on city streets and on highways, more pronounced when driving.
- Clarks Summit, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While at a stop light, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the radio and air conditioner failed to function. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of coconut creek (4250 sr 7, coconut creek, fl 33073, phone: (954) 406-1167) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed, there was a leak in the air conditioning system, and the radiator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
- Boca Raton, FL, USA
Driving along at 65mph on highway with cruise control on, 80 degrees, sunny and clear weather the fuel line came loose and engine lost all power. Diesel fuel spilled on vehicle and roadway. Vehicle had 86,432 miles on it at the time. The engine is a 3 liter Mercedes diesel bluetec. Had the vehicle been gas instead of diesel I'm sure it would have caught fire. Car had to be towed. Was told that two fuel line clamps had failed and needed replaced. The car has only been maintained and repaired at Mercedes-Benz dealerships. True to form, Mercedes was no help to reimburse the cost of repairs. Total repair costs without tow was $321.88. Tow was paid by their roadside assistance program. Please investigate this safety issue.
- Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
Our 2012 mb has 42500 miles on the engine warning light came on it is related to the blue additive emission apparently this has been a common occurrence from what I read on line, mb will not cover this and they charge $3000 to fix, after researching online Mercedes are aware of this but do care about it and will not stand behind their product,1 mechanic implied they raised the part price to repair this knowing this has been an issue, profiting from their defective product.
- Independence, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained for approximately 21 days for a diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the fuel line, the fuel pump and three pin connector needed to be replaced. In addition, the noise insulation panel underneath engine needed to be removed and reinstalled. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where the fuel pump relay, the screw connections and the suction jet pump, the fuel gauze transmitter, the catalytic converter, the temperature sensor were all replaced however the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,383.
- Philadelphia , PA, USA
My ML350 is over over 71000, no warranty. I noticed that it has been stalled several times till incident. Last Tuesday, suddenly car engine stopped in the usps parking lots, middle of driveway, no moving. It was around 6pm, I called road service and first guy came who didn't know about mb, and 2nd guy said it might be out of gas. I filled up full one day before, so tank was not empty. 2nd guy didn't know exact reason, and needed to tow. My car has been towed to dealer late night. Next day, I called dealer but they didn't know what is a problem or not checking yet. 2 days later. I stopped by dealer(because they never called me back), and sales person said needed to order a part and cost $700, so should be ready on Friday. (car towed on Tuesday). Sales person never called me back on Friday again, so I stopped by dealer.sales person said, my car needed to change fuel pump and cost will be $1530. Off course, I complained!! my car is ready today, 8days after towed. I rent a car for a week and paid $300 by myself. Dealer gave me a little discount but paid $1200. Total my cost is $1500. They changed control unit, fuel delivery module, and fuel filter unit. Also one is recall #2013110002 fuel sys ECU has been replaced.(software) I think this is safety issue. I was lucky without any accident.
- Fresno, CA, USA
My wife was driving my ML350 on the freeway with my 7 year old son in the back. She said the vehicle started to shake in an unusual way so she decided to get off at the nearest exit and when she applied the brakes on the off ramp the car's engine stopped. Engine light came on, dash read inoperable yet all the electrical was still on. She tried to turn the key and restart it but the car would not start. Before this incident we had not experienced any problems. This is a 2012 model with just over 21,000 miles and was just serviced two weeks prior to the incident. It happened all of a sudden. The car was hit by another vehicle- rear ended with both my wife and son still in it.
- Woodland Hills, CA, USA
- Tacoma, WA, USA