2014 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350

As we were driving 50mph, the car stalled and lost all power. The dashboard lights all lit up and the car wouldn't start. I don't get unnerved easily and it was fairly intense not being able to move your car out of traffic. After about 5 mins, the car would start again only to stop a minute or so later. After taking the car to the dealer, the issue stemmed from the fuel pump electronics board getting wet in the spare tire wheel well where water was accumulating. This was part of the recall and the dealer installed a drain and replaced the board. HOWEVER, this issue again happened nearly one year later in our next rainy season. After taking it to the dealer, they said WE would need to replace the electronics board ourselves. We asked about the recall and they said they fixed the issue by installing the drain plug and there was nothing else they could do for us. Even the service adjuster was upset and very sympathetic to our plight as the car was obviously not fixed. Even though the drain plug was installed, the water was still acumulating in the wheel well. It seems apparent to me, and several others who have complained about the same issue, that the recall fix has not addressed the main issue of why the water is coming in and why it's still not draining. Unfortunately we're going to have to fork over $1200 to have it fixed. My ask to the NHTSA is that this issue be readdressed with Mercedes. I would like them to be notified that the recall does not address the underlying issues and the solution they provided does not fix the problem. I appreciate your time in considering this.

I purchased my car used at the Mercedes dealership in Tyler Texas June 2023. I took all my savings and paid cash and was told that the car was impeccable shape and there were no current issues and all the service records were up to date. November 2023 is when everything started happening and my engine light came on. It was revealed to me by a service tech that I was sold the vehicle with an existing major oil leak /seals broke. Etc. SEE Attached invoices. I have endured driving down the road and my car just giving out and losing power steering. The car has been sputtering and there have been misfires, fauled fuel injectors, coils, s and spark plugs, oil leaks, fuel pump leaking gasoline in the engine and smoke coming from the hood. I thought my car was going to start on fire it smelled like a hot electrical wires and gasoline. My nerves are frayed from this car because of how many times it has broke down. I have missed work because of the car, I'm behind on my home bills, I missed my airline flight to see my sick father, I have had to pay for rental cars, all due to this vehicle. I am very concerned for my safety in this vehicle and I would like the vehicle fixed at the expense of Mercedes or my money back. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ML350 engine stalled while driving on an expressway and would not turn back on. ML350 needed to be towed where it was determined that water accumulated in the spare tire wheel well, leading to the fuel pump short circuiting. This is directly related to NHTSA campaign 22V955000. That recall repair was completed prior to this incident. Per the technician, the recall repair installed a water drain plug to prevent the water accumulation. This repair effectively failed - the drain plugs malfunctioned and were not allowing water to drain. MBUSA deny’s responsibility for the failing drain plug - stating that the trunk weatherstripping is the root cause, not the failing drain plug. This is an unacceptable response and worth of the recall being expanded. The fuel pump control unit can still short out if MBUSA’s poor excuse of a recall fix fails as it did with mine.

I bought my vehicle into Mercedes Benz for a recall related to water collection in spare tire well which can cause a fuel pump control malfunction, NHTSA recall # 22V955. A few days ago, my vehicle could not start and I found water in my spare tire well. My OBD scanner tells me it is related to the fuel pump. I informed Mercedes Benz and they would not fix it. Obviously the work performed did not correct the recall. I'm writing here hoping I can get connected to the right channel to get this resolved as my vehicle is currently unusable. Thanks.

DIESEL FUEL LEAKS FROM A TINY CRACK FORMING ON THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE FILTER HAS MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAUSES THE BOTTOM HOUSING OF THE FILTER TO FORM SMALL CRACKS PREMATURELY. THE MERCEDES PART NUMBER OF THIS FILTER IS A 642 090 60 52 MANUFACTURED BY MANN , MADE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WHERE THE FILTER FORMS CRACKS AND LEAKS DIESEL FUEL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THERE ARE ANY VEHICLE FIRES AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. WHEN THE FILTER LEAKS, THE FUEL STREAMS DOWN THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THROUGH A WEEP HOLE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST. THIS IS IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST PIPING THAT COULD IGNITE THE FUEL AND CAUSE A FUEL FIRE RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITIES.