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Will tell you all you want to know.
Frustrating.
1. Transmission severe downshift problem: Very often (about once a day) when I let go of the gas pedal (for example to cruise to a stop light), the transmission does a severe downshift and jerks the car. I may be going 10 or 15 miles per hour and the transmission shifts to first gear, there is some loud bang, and the engine revs up to 2000 or 3000 RPM. It feels like you slammed on the brakes. I bring it to the dealer and all they do is reset the program.
If you read through Edmunds, it seems lots of people are having this problem.
If anyone knows a fix for the transmission downshift problem, please let us know.
2. Whenever you shift gears (from park to drive, or from drive to reverse or any others) there is often a loud gear grinding noise. This is very annoying, and very embarrassing when you show your car to your friends (or dates). Dealer says that is normal.
3. The stereo has a loud hum from the stereo cooling fan. The ML350 is very quiet, and when you are driving slow and listening to soft music, all you hear is the hum from the stereo cooling fan. I complain to the dealer and they checked out a few ML350 and say all of them have the same feature.
4. The turn signal blinker switch has a problem. Someone please tell me if you have the same problem. To turn on the turn signal blinkers you just have to momentarily push the lever up or down. Then the lever could be in the middle (off) position and the turn signal lights would still be blinking. The only way to turn off the blinkers is to physically push the blinkers to one of the turn positions and then push it to the off position.
The turn signal becomes a problem when you want to change lanes on the freeway and only want the turn signals on for a few blinks.
5. When the ML350 is still moving, and the transmission in Drive, I can turn off the engine and take the key out......
What in the world moved you to attempt this silly feat? Makes your other items appear somewhat suspect...
I all the other cars I have driven, the key is locked until the transmission is put in Park. In the 2006 ML350, (at least in mine), the key is not locked, and sometimes you don't realize you are not in Park and take the key out.
#1 - somehow i'm having less and less of this problem now (almost 3 mos old and 4700 miles), at first it happened every day, now it only happens maybe once a week or once every 2 weeks.
#2 - is very irritating and i was about to bring it back to the dealer to have it looked at. you saved me a trip to the dealer. but you think if enough people actually complain about this, they may do something?
In defence of bayhunter, I have sometimes tried to take the key out without putting in the transmission in park by mistake.
If you remove the key then the gear automatically shifts to park even if you are in drive gear. Check it and update here.
After you remove the key while the transmission is in Drive, the ML350 computer will shift the gear to park after the engine is turned off.
If the ML350 is still moving, (very slow) there will be a grinding click, click, click, ... sound while the transmission attempts to shift to Park. I step on the brakes and stop the car and the transmission goes to Park.
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Anthony D.
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Anthony D.
transmission.
#4: I'll assume you are talking about the lane change feature? When slightly depressed, the turn signal will automatically blink three times.
I never fill the tank more than$20. Well, it used to be near filled about 4years ago gas price and I just got in habit on doing that so I don't have to tell every gas attendant " please do not top it off" ( which I was adviced from the beginning by my mercedes dealer to not top it off)
Well, anyway, the way things are now days I just figured out that I should just fill it today. As I'm driving off the gas station, my fuel gage is showing below the orange sign. orange light not even on.
What's going on?
I did hear fuel gauge on ML 2001 was kind common problem.
Now, does this get back to working after few days of driving and gas goes down or what?
fuel sending unit.
Also, topping off the fuel tank on late model cars is a serious no-no. Government regulations require the fuel vapors to be trapped instead of going to the atmosphere. If you top-off, the fuel will usually end up going into the charcoal canister, thus preventing it from doing its job, while at the same time ruining it. You will also get a check engine light to boot.
Kept eye on it for last few days and it's just working fine.
What's exactly going on ?
Not sure but haven't had problem since.
Thanks for reply!
The only other issue I have had to date is with the glove compartment CD changer which came DOA. I'm getting that replaced on Monday.
I think it's time to trade it in for new car....
'Have to pick up my truck tom from the shop :sick:
About the Nav., crzyaim, ...it has a tun by turn voice prompt but not a text to speech kind, it's not touch screen nav, it's joystick and button controlled ...and it's stone age compared to the lexus nav. :mad:
*Back seat folds down, but not back up(3 times)
*Rear seat access(3rd seat) pull-lever wont pull so we cannot access those seats.
*Had Gear Shift knob replaced, since the leather wore
*Had to have my Exterior weather stripping replaced, since it faded too quickly
*Radio has a mind of its own Speed control volume does what it wants to
*Driver's seat seat base has been replaced twice, and it is about ready to crack again
* New tires front and rear
* New brakes, both axels
It is so bad, the lady at the loaner car tells me my "usual' loaner is waiting for me
Will never buy another Mercedes, and sorry I bought this one...
2004 ML 350 Anyone??? just 26+++ Miles on it(miracle isn't it?)
I am interested in what owners think of the new models.
Our 2000 ML320 now has 90,000 miles and we have had a single real failure - that was the A/C at 65,000 miles. We have seen the front seat apron failure and know that the cause is rear seat passengers (in our case, 13 year olds) pressing real hard on the apron trailing edges. We also got the cricket chirp from the fuse cooling blower (a $100 fix).
Our brakes are nearing 45,000 miles. Tires (Michelin Cross Country) are nearing 55,000 and look as though they will last another 20,000. I did replace the gear lever with a wooded one.... oddly enough, it is a more wonderful addition than one might imagine; has a real nice hand-feel. Bought ours on ebay for about $50.
Yes, each of the 3 MB's we've had were a bit more of a pain than a Toyota would bring, but keep in mind the safety, and generally satisfying driving enjoyment that you experince during the greater bulk of your ownership. If you check any of the car reliability ratings publications, you'll see MB as only moderately OK, right along with every other high end vehicle, except perhaps the Lexus. We do own an older LS400 and it has been great over the years and miles (now just over 200,000) but not fault-free (2 A/C's, many broken switches, bad LCD display, etc).
The Lexus experience is good, but dull. In short, always keep in mind the really good parts of ownership, and it'll keep the problems in perspective.
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Could we actually exchange the vehicle for a different one? Through who? the dealer? or through MB directly?
What can we get from MB to settle these inconveniences? waive a few payments?
I have 303 miles on my '06 ML350 and it has been in the shop for almost a week now due to a lost power steering. i haven't even experience/notice those jerky motions on the tranny at a low speed. its been in the shop for too long since i used it for 4 days.. i dont even remember how it looks like anymore :confuse: and i paid 48k for it!!!
Getting Some Lemon-Aid From Your Lemon Maker
The engine, suspension, and tranny are great. On the RX330Lexus board. Lexus owners complain about a slow unresponsive tranny... and the ML350/500 guys complain about abrupt downshifts.. while I get a shifting clunk slipping down into D1 at slow speeds; it is what you should expect when you slide into a very low gear and I prefer the quick shift up & down as opposed to the Lexus spinning into gear issue. I do not have any surge problems or shifting issues that are abnormal. This vehicle sticks to the road like it's on a rail and it will run all day at 90plus. It's quite and comfortable with plenty of power... if you get a klunck when it drops into D!... don't worry about it... this is a very low gear and remember the tranny is a mechanical device...with gears, clutches and valves, etc
I have the nav system with the 2005 c-class DVD and it is a BIG disappointment. For my previous car I bought a Garmin 2610 which is far superior to what Mercedes has - the MB map data seem out of date - the routing is not what you would normally pick as you drive in familiar areas and here in PA it has me make left turns across center divided highways .
My previous car was a 1999 ML430 which I loved - after this experience I don't think I'll go with Mercedes again.
What should we do? What can we do? Can we contact Consumer Reports or some type of media to expose this problem? I'm feeling like such a sucker. Prior to this ML350, I have a 1994 Lexus LS400 and have had nothing but praises for it. I thought it was a step up in luxury to be driving the MB rather than Lexus but now with these problems.....