2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350 electrical problems

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Electrical · CA

I believe the electrical system may be defective as ever since I have had it the light bulbs frequently have to be changed. We own three vehicles in my households (the other 2 are non-Mercedes) and none of my other vehicles do this. The latest issue with the electrical system is that the rear tail lamp and power lift gate. I was told there was water that was getting in from somewhere but mechanic could not find where. I need a new SAM module and that is why my power lift gate motor does not work. As I did some research online, the same exact problem was recalled on a the same model but the 2009 model and I have the 2011 model. I believe my car should be part of the same recall which I believe is Mercedes recall number 2009030003. That appears to be a faulty seal around the rear tail lamp assembly. I believe this is a manufacturer's defect that should be covered and would likely explain why I have had to change out light bulbs so many times over the years.

Filed Mar 25, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 93,000 miles · SC · fire

Rear brake light ground overheated and caused fire damaging wire harness and light assembly during driving. All tail lights affected.

Filed Mar 12, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

I put my key into the ignition and it would not start. I had a tow truck to come and get my vehicle and they charged the vehicle and would not go into neutral or drive. I know that I probably need a new battery but this was scary.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 110,000 miles · IL

When car comes to a stop, and the driver pushes the button to put the car in "park", the car does not go into park, but stays in "drive" or "reverse". Driver leaves car, and because driver is unaware that the vehicle remains in "drive", and did not switch to "park", the car can begin to idle forward while driver leaves or has left the vehicle, or idles in reverse, as driver leaves or has left the vehicle, as the "park" position is not activated. This can be quite dangerous to the driver, or to passengers or pedestrians. At times, the car does go into "park", but at other times, it does not, it stays in "drive" or "reverse", misinforming the driver. This is an unsafe situation.

Filed Jun 30, 2017 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · NY

The switch some time not detect, and do not start. Need to turn several time to start the engine. Once it start no problem. Some time in the morning it start without any problem. The dealer told me it is a ignition problem, the car mileage is only 87000. When I searched in the internet, 1000 of customers reported the same problem for 2010 and 2011 model cars.

Filed Jun 13, 2017 · Electrical · 1 miles · NY

While vehicle is stationary, turning key in the ignition switch may or may not start the vehicle

Filed Mar 6, 2017 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · TX · fire

The car caught fire and burnt. The smoke were first spotted from the passenger A/C vent while driving from the school to the teacher's house (less than 1 mile distance). Within minutes the fire started from the glove box or passenger AC vent area. The fire spread to the back of the car in less than 10 minutes. The firefighters were there to put out the fire before it got the chance to get to the fuel tank.

Filed Jan 9, 2017 · Electrical · 81,573 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 20011 mercedes-benz ml350. While attempting to drive the vehicle, it failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition starter switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,573. Updated 04/06/17 *lj

Filed Oct 30, 2016 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 36,000 miles · TX

Takata recall mercedes benz notified by usps safety recall 03/16.no further correspondence or other action/s to indicate rectify of safety recall since. Mercedes houston north dealership visit 10/29/16 at which I purchased refuses vehicle return in light of indicated airbag recall, stating I cannot simply return the vehicle.sales rep indicates such vehicles are taken as trade-in and/or sold to competing dealers like carmax which pays higher for unwanted/unsafe vehicles, but offers an assurance to assuage my safety concern that mercedes are more structurally sound than other manufacturers, namely honda in which drivers/passengers died from takata airbag deployments.rep further states airbag replacement unlikely since takata is behind in manufacturing due to tsnumai;processing new work as priority to safety recall/reworks.unable to sell/transfer vehicle due to recall/illegality; would not anyway due to safety hazard which not only endangers, but kills, others.1-wk after buy,left&right frnt prkng lights malfunction.mercedes replaced/repaired fuse upon new wiringharness install under ext svc plan.same left&right frnt prkg indicator malfunction w/in 45days after;replaced oem-bulbs blew.left headlight replaced-oem blew.aug/sept 2014 45k-mile reqd maint, dealer svc advisor said head&prkg light bulbs wrong type,restate fixed wiringharness still root.head&prkg lights fixed w/out further wiringharness mention.new carbattery install dec/jan 2015 60k-mile reqd maint report to dealer svc advisor electronickey fail to unlock doors&engage ignition despite new batteries.all 2015 and continuing, left&right front bulbs,left head&taillight outages, spontaneous espfaults on dash malfunction;ignition delayed-start w/out dash warning in park/rear/neutral/drive position or at start/shutdown. Purchased 04/17/14 cert preown w/ ext svc plan ~36kmiles 10/29/16 ~103kmiles esp expired 100kmiles

Filed Oct 11, 2016 · Electrical · TX

Eis the key will lock/unlock car, will turn in ignition but will not start car