Mercedes-Benz ML350 loss of power problems

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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)

Filed Dec 25, 2024 · Fuel system · OH

On [XXX], while driving on the highway about 30 miles from Columbus, Ohio my 2013 Mercedez Benz ML350 suddenly stalled and lost power. There was no prior warning. Luckily, we were in the outer lane with no car close behind us so my husband slowly guided the car to the side road. The car has since been towed and is currently at the Service Department at Mercedez Benz of North Olmsted, Ohio, 44070, for repairs. I have been informed by the Service Manager that they have identified the fuel pump to the problem and that it needs to be replaced. Coincidentally, this vehicle went for Maintenance Servicing at the same dealership and was returned to me on Monday December 16th. No problem with the fuel pump was identified or reported to me. This vehicle is available for inspection About 4 years ago, the exact same incident happened with this same vehicle where it suddenly stalled and completely lost power on the highway in the middle of nowhere on our way from Ohio to Iowa. There was no prior warning. Similarly, the car was towed to Mercedez Benz North Olmsted but per the same service manager their inspection revealed no problem and the car restarted on its own so nothing needed to be fixed. I am reporting this recurring problem with my vehicle because of the obvious safety risk of sudden stalling and power loss on the highway, the fact that 4 years ago when this happened Mercedez Benz should have recognized what the issue was and replaced the fuel pump but did nothing about it, and also due to the fact that many Mercedez Benz vehicles have experienced this same problem leading to multiple recalls including many 2013 ML 350s. I believe my vehicle has a defective fuel pump from the manufacturer just like the recalled vehicles and that my vehicle and many more need to be recalled INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 22, 2022 · Fuel system · CA

I participated in the Emission Recall Campaign 2020050014. I have a 2013 ML350BlueTec. I have been back to the dealer 10 times to fix my car after the recall was performed. The check engine continues to return in an on (orange light) position after only a few days. On trip 5 my car could not accerlate and lost power. The problem related to the NOX sensors that are being replaced each visit. MB USA replaced b19/9 temp upstream of turbo charger and b9/11 temperature sensor upstream of catalyst. Also remove and replace 3 temp sensors. Again, I have been back 10 times to the dealer for continual problems related to the recall. Since Nov. 29, 2021, the warning light (check engine) remains on and MBUSA does not respond to fixing it. MBUSA reported that there is a software issue they are working on. Can you help please?

Filed Apr 16, 2019 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · SC

This car's transmission went out at 70,000 miles (2015), which is way too early. Driving when the transmission began to act up was very dangerous and potentially as it lost power could have caused collision. I replaced transmission for $14,000 and then the transmission went out for a second time (2019). Causing the same safety concerns as it lost power. This time I was not stupid enough to fix it and will not be buying a mercedes ever again.

Filed Feb 15, 2018 · 68 miles · CA

1. It was on I-15 highway north bound around 9:44 am, 2/1/2018. 2. This vehicle suddenly lost power and applied brake by itself ! That resulted in drastically speed drop in a very short time. I tried to gas it and I can feel engine is still running, but speed was kept dropping. 3. I almost hit by the cars behind me during the time I tried to pull over to road side. 4. When I fully stopped on I-15 road side, engine is still responsive (RPM can go up), but the car can't move forward. I tried to release brake with transmission still in "d", it's funny that this vehicle started to move backward (it was a uphill section). 5. Finally, I turned off engine and restarted it, the car was restored in "normal" state. Just like nothing happened. How ironic it is ! 6. There are no warning/error lights on !!! 7. This car is already in dealer for 2 weeks and they still can't find the root cause. I strongly believe that there could be design flaws. This time me and those drivers behind me were just lucky, there was not a serious accident happened. Something need to be done before someone is killed by this issue. 8. I have dash cam video stored on google drive. Here is the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v67t9eqw3n_i2dtw_l-g7c-exybwdkhf/view 9. Speed unit on video is kmh, instead of MPH. Also, the time zoom of dash cam is not properly set. The time shown on this video is actually 16 hours ahead of the local time. But it is not a big deal here. 10. At 42 sec of this video, you can see the speed is suddenly dropped and can also hear tire squeezing sound (car applied brake by itself). 11. This car can't move forward by the engine at (1'52" ~ 1'55"), (2'34" ~ 2'37") and (2'54" ~ 2'57"). 12. With transmission is still in "d" and brake released, the car moved backward because it was on a uphill section (2'23" ~ 2'30").

Filed May 22, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 86,432 miles · SC

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.

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · 34,000 miles · MA

2014 ml350 shut off while driving in the fast lane of a major highway. I had taken the vehicle for service, then three wks later because the car was losing power. The dealership checked it over the next day and assured me the car was perfect and had found no problems. The next day the car shut-off on the highway. The car was towed to the dealership where they eventually discovered a defect in the car. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle.

Filed Sep 7, 2015 · Fuel system · 124,000 miles · NY

Massive diesel leak from the top of the fuel tank when filling up. Then cel came on and car lost power. Going uphill in a cruise control, started with 60, by the end of the fairly easy hil, it was barely doing 20. When filling up, diesel leaked all over the place from passenger side fuel tank. Major safety issue, can cause fire or stranded on highway. Should be investigated and may be fixed as recall. 400 miles from home on a holiday, with family. Barely made home, with my wife looking back if there there is fire break out. White knuckle drive. Fuel should never leak like this.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Engine · 200 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mercedes benz ml 350. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start until after several attempts. While driving, the vehicle began to lose power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis, who stated that they needed to replace the pistons in the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 200 and the current mileage was 800.