Mercedes Benz ML350 jerking problems

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 163,450 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V298000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle a week later, the brake warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated, and the message "Take to Service Center" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made an abnormal rubbing and squeaking sound, and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the failure to be corrected under the recall, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,450.

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 63,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Driving 45mph approaching a stop, I hit the brakes and the car started to slow. Then the car lurched and accelerated by its self. I pushed the brake harder and tried to pump it but nothing slowed the vehicle. The brakes felt as if they were not working at all. Vehicle crashed at about 55mph and rolled severely injuring the driver. No adverse weather conditions, 77 degrees out, driving on a military installation road.

Filed Nov 10, 2016 · Brakes · 44,415 miles · CA · crash

Reverse pulling out of driveway at slow speed then stopped. On drive position, vehicle jerked forward when gas pedal was applied. This happened twice at same situation about same time.then at the freeway, in stop and go traffic vehicle brakes failed and hit a big-rig truck. No warning light that came on. I pressed foot pedal hard but vehicle did not stop and continued rolling until it rear ended the truck. Luckily our speed was 0-5 MPH and no injury to my 2 passengers. Chp assisted us. Vehicle was normal when pulled over to the shoulder. I had it towed to nearest mercedes benz dealership. Per service minder, vehicle undergo regular maintenance and is serviced by same dealership.

Filed May 13, 2016 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · MI

Loud noise from right front as the vehicle was driven on city street. Jerk was felt inside passenger compartment.

Filed Aug 3, 2015 · Transmission · WA

My 2006 ml350 (automatic) has a transmission problem where shifting down causes the vehicle to lunge forward. All gear shifts (up or down) are hard and can be felt by the occupants in the car in the form of a jerky motion. Scouring the internet for this issue shows that this is a widely reported problem. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis who offered to replace the transmission for $7500. When asked about the root cause of the issue, the dealer stated that they would not know until they take the transmission apart and would end up costing roughly the same as replacing the transmission. The down shifting presents a danger when making sudden stops due to unforeseen traffic changes in front of the vehicle as braking hard causes the vehicle to down shift quickly which causes the vehicle to lunge forward.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Steering · MD

The original symptoms were the power steering started to get jerky (flat spots) meaning there was power assist from 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock, then hard effort from 2 -4 o'clock and so on. It initially was drivable but after a few hundred more miles it has become dangerous, as a tremendous amount of effort must be used when turning, then gets easy, then tight. I have checked and there are no fluid leaks and the reservoir is full. My mechanic checked it out, and he said it appeared that the steering rack is bad. He recommended we flush and change all the fluid with mbz approved:236.3 first to see if it improved. It did not and he said I was looking at $2000+ to replace the rack. After owning two mercedes benz vehicles over the last 10 years, I've been loyal but having only purchased this 2008 ml350 for less than a year and only 65k miles I find it disconcerting that I've read so much on these premature steering rack problems on these vehicles. I checked with mb, only to learn that my VIN was not on the list for 'recalls'. This is a serious issue, and mb needs to be held accountable! Does someone need to be seriously hurt or killed before mb is held accountable for this issue??!

Filed May 16, 2012 · Driver assistance · 20,000 miles · TX

March 2011, I was heading home. I was talking on the hands free phone system, and immediately I felt a jerk and heard a noise. I looked at the control panel and the vehicle panel read "n" neutral instead of "d" drive. The vehicle automatically switched into neural on the freeway at 70mph!!!! At this point I am in the fast lane and hysterical. I pressed the gas and nothing happened. The speed decreased to 40mph and cars are now racing past and behind me. Luckily, a police officer spotted me and physically hit my car and moved it over to the side while I was in it. I explained what occurred as he yelled "are you crazy you could have been killed what happened". I asked him for a police report and he immediately had to depart. The next day, I immediately reported the incident to the dealer. The diagnosis was my control panel needed to be reset, an apology was given and test drives occurred. I was asked did I touch any buttons and replied no. They recreated the scene and conducted a test drive. The car did not shift into neutral even when it was tampered with while driving. On 8 may 2012, the incident occurred again! My car switched into neutral twice in 1 day! The second time I was at a stop sign. Today is 15 may 2012, and my car is with the dealer now. I am afraid of driving my ml350 2008 model. Much worse, the dealer alludes to asking me have I touched anything. If this is the case, then a safety message should be posted, warning if you "touch" a button your car will switch to neutral while driving. I have a 4 month old daughter and bought the vehicle for safety. I explained to the dealer I should not have to wait till I am hurt or injured for something to be done. He stated "nothing is coming up on the diagnostics the system is very smart'. The dealer even denied there are any recalls for the ml 350 2008. I've hired an attorney.

Filed Aug 11, 2010 · Engine · 103,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz ml350. The contact stated that she took the vehicle into the dealer for an oil change and when the vehicle was returned to her it began to lunge forward. The vehicle felt as if the transmission was dragging. The dealer was contacted and stated that they didn't do anything to cause the vehicle to exhibit the jerking motion. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer who diagnosed the failure stating that the manifold was defective. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure had recurred. There have been no additional repairs made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 103,000. The current mileage was 116247.

Filed Feb 6, 2007 · Acceleration, Airbags · 10,851 miles · MD · crash · 1 injury

Tl* - the contact owns a 2006 mercedes 350 m class. The driver was unable to shift the transmission into drive to move forward or into reverse gear. The vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and hit a cement block and continued to lurch forward several times before she could stop the vehicle. The power steering and brakes were inoperable. The warning light indicator appeared on the vehicle after hitting the cement block. She did not recall which indicator light. The vehicle sustained front end passenger damage. The failure and the current mileage was 10,851. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the mechanic replaced the compressor. The contact received a minor bruise. *ak the consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. Updated 03/07/07.

Filed May 24, 2006 · Brakes · 20 miles · WI

Brake system on 2006 ml350 has excessive pedal travel causing unsafe braking and jerky stopping. Manufacturer and dealer state that this condition is "normal" for the ml series mercedes truck. This travel causes delayed braking and does not exist on another mercedes automobiles. Manufacturer to further evaluate the condition or admit any potential safety problem.