Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
1625–50K
1550–75K
1675–100K
11100–150K
2150K+
71 reports with mileage · 12 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seats. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports25 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
83 reports
80,105 miles · Jun 30, 2020
Electrical System
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 …
Read full complaint
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 ODI #11331697
5 miles · Nov 21, 2019
Electrical SystemSeats
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 …
Read full complaint
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 ODI #11281676
34,000 miles · May 22, 2019
Seats
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT ENGAGE IN A LOCATION. IT SLIDES FORWARD AND BACKWARD AT WILL WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING. I SEE THIS AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY DEALER SAYS I'LL NEED TO PAY FOR A COMPLETE NEW SEAT ASSEMBLY. ALL MY PASSENGERS SIT IN THE REAR. THANKFULLY, THEY ARE FEW. OTHERWISE I LOVE THE CAR'
NHTSA ODI #11209322
40,000 miles · Dec 28, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
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 H…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #11163862
60,000 miles · Dec 16, 2018
Power Train
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL; THE ENGINE IS DISENGAGED AND REVS FREELY. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE BACK INTO DRIVE UNTIL THE IGNITION IS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF, WHICH LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL, SO THE DRIVER MUST EXIT THE TRAFFIC LANES WITH NO POWER BEFORE THE VEHICLE …
Read full complaint
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL; THE ENGINE IS DISENGAGED AND REVS FREELY. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE BACK INTO DRIVE UNTIL THE IGNITION IS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF, WHICH LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL, SO THE DRIVER MUST EXIT THE TRAFFIC LANES WITH NO POWER BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSE A COLLISION AS THE DRIVER HAS NO CONTROL OF THE CAR BUT MUST EXIT HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC LANES, OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11161833
127,000 miles · Jul 19, 2018
Power Train
CONDUCTOR PLATE TRANSMISSION ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #11112294
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
GAS GAUGE DON'T WORK AND INTERIOR STRONG FUEL SMELL NEAR LEFT BACK WHEEL WELL.
NHTSA ODI #11099458
160,000 miles · May 7, 2018
Electrical SystemFire
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 DEPARTM…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #11092230
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2017
Electrical SystemStructure
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 S…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #11005320
86,620 miles · Apr 23, 2017
SeatsFire
ON APRIL 22, 2017 I PRESSED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER BUTTON AND A FEW MINUTES LATER BEGAN TO FEEL BURNING AND SMELLING SMOKE. DETERMINED MY SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND DEPRESSED THE BUTTON AGAIN AND STOPPED THE FIRE. I WAS ON A CITY STREET AND ABLE TO PULL OVER. I HAVE CONTACTED MBUSA.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
1
PE08030 · Seat Back Warmer Overheats/burns
Opened Apr 25, 2008 · Closed Sep 9, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE SEAT BACK WARMER INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH MAY 2007, EQUIPPED WITH THE CTX' CARBOTEX SEAT WARMER DESIGN.THE DATA DISCLOSE FEW COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY REPORTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.NONE OF THE FIRE REPORTS INVOLVED OPEN FLAME, BUT WERE THERMAL INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE SEAT CUSHION SUSTAINED DISCOLORATION OR A HOLE BURNED IN THE SEAT COVER.THE REPORTED INJURY APPEARED TO BE MINOR.THE SUBJECT SEAT WARMER DESIGN WAS ALSO INSTALLED IN MY 2006 M-CLASS VEHICLES AND THOSE DATA ALSO SHOW FEW INCIDENTS.A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.