My car was included in the balance right shaft recall as 2nd owner I was just made aware as a result my check engine light came on. It was also learned that the car was included in faulty -??balance shaft-??. I should be included because my car has same diagnosis as defective equipment

- Atlanta , GA, USA

i encountered a major issue with the Mercedes ML350, while doing a 3 point turn in a busy suburban Toronto street.The electronic shift module left me stuck in Road way. Causing traffic back up and could not move vehicle.neither forward or reverse.tried pushing and different tactics to move vehicle off road. Had to call CAA-AAA. It was a caos situation, first tow truck could not load vehicle, all wheels were locked in drive and would not shift. Had to wait for special tow Have all four wheels lifted off onto dolly. Tow truck driver said it is a common problem.with MB, BMW and Audi.Vehicles towed to dealer sat at dealer. parts on back order and Not available for repair.Since was in Toronto away from Home. Had to source original equipment supplier to purchase part.Dealer and factory Mercedes could Not source part.back ordered.The dealer agreed to install the factory OEM part they could not source. My concern to all owners including myself in line traffic a basic traffic maneuver stuck in blocking traffic. Cannot moving vehicle jammed in gear that controlled by a shift module.no safe limp mode or emergency shift to neutral to move vehicle safely.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

Brakes feel spongy, , when letting off accelerate feels as if transmission has a brake applied

- Manila, AR, USA

Pulling out into lane of traffic accelerating where car abruptly starts to run very very rough. Check engine lights come on and can become unsafe with no power and oncoming traffic approaching. Similarly while driving over 60mph same scenario causing cel to come on and car to disengage cruise and slow extremely fast. Very rough running and idle. Terrible feeling of being unsafe and at risk. Finding P0016 and P0017 codes and all symptoms of balance shaft issue that the mb M272 is known for. My wife and I are afraid to drive this vehicle now knowing it had a known defective engine component in a software balance shaft gear

- Spring Grove, IL, USA

While driving at most any speed, transmission periodically goes into no gear or a single gear (low or a higher gear) and 'limp mode' without warning....sometimes a "check engine" light. Very scary especially in traffic on the freeway. Bought the vehicle earlier this year with 60,000 miles on it...I am 72 and wife is 71...she is afraid to drive it because of the uncertainty of the drive train. I finally took it to Mercedes Benz as the would not sell my my independent mechanic the parts to repair problem. Mercedes says that I need to have the 722.9 transmission valve body replaced at $3,000 period. I have read of a myriad of similar problems with other owners of cars with this type of transmission....even class action suits. I believe that this is a very dangerous condition that must be resolved and repaired by the manufacturer. I even called Mercedes Benz of North America and their representative said he knew of no problems with this model of transmission. I also read that they are not changing any parts....just reprogramming the transmission to not go into limp mode and not activating the check engine light.....how can I insure that my vehicle will be repaired correctly and be safe to drive?

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

My car suddenly lost power in the highway, and didn't want to accelerate, causing car to high RPM rev, going into limp mode and not accelerate, almost causing my family and to have a serious accident.vehicle was diagnosed by a shop which stated my speed sensor conductor plate is defective...upon doing research, I have noticed that this is common dangerous issue on the 06 Mercedes ml models..Mercedes even has a class action suite against them due to this issue..

- West New York, NJ, USA

There is a systemic problem with the Mercedes Benz 7G tronic 722.9 transmission control module which causes the vehicle's transmission to, without notice, fail to shift out of 2nd gear which creates a serious safety hazard while driving including entering the freeway and attempting to merge into traffic. The issue is well documented on a number of website on the internet which includes support groups including one advocating and soliciting a class action suit in the state of ca. The NHTSA needs to look into this manufacturer's defect so as to prevent serious injury including the loss of life. Mb usa is very much aware of the issue which requires the replacement of transmission control module (tcm). Adding insult to injury, mb restricts the sale of the tcm so that the repair can only be made at an authorized mb dealership adding to the consumer's cost to repair the vehicle. The estimate repair cost is $1,500 at the dealership. Cost estimates outside of the dealership, if the item was able to be purchased, is less than half that. I was nearly rear ended by a tractor trailer while entering I-91 in ct just last week when the vehicle unexpectedly went into what mb calls "limp mode" when the check engine light comes on and the vehicle speed is restricted to 30 mph immediately. This near death experience was quite alarming. I contacted mb usa and they denied any knowledge that the problem was at all due to defective manufacturing. As an individual consumer we have no rights in this matter to eliminate this manufacturers safety defect while mb restricts and monopolizes the repair of a problem that they created. The failure of this part can happen at any time regardless of vehicle miles.

- Rockall, CT, USA

My 2006 merc ML350, broke down on me 10/22/16, as soon as I got off the freeway because I was hearing a crackling sound from the engine. I was able to drive in a local parking lot to avoid embarrassment. This vehicle is always needing something, and at this time it was hard to turn the steering wheel to park it because the serpentine (vbelt) had unraveled its way from the alternator pulley!! the lord had saved my life! same year in March fremont dealership said I needed to replace my air condensor but never said anything about my belt being worn or cracked or anything about this. This should have been noticed at that present time. They misinformed me at that time about the vbelt needing to be replaced and tried to sell me a air mass sensor. Mercedes knows about vehicle 2006 year and all the parts that are malfunctioning and wont lift a finger to recall or reimburse or pay entirely. I would have died on the freeway had this V belt would have came off! tookbitvin for repairs and the dealer is requesting $2350 to replace air condition unit and they will have to open up alternator & adjust + vbelt. Campaign anyone or botcott mbusa!!

- Oakland, CA, USA

Check engine light came on, and got both codes P0016 and P0017. Upon further investigation, this seems to be a known defect by Mercedes Benz for the balancer shaft worn sprocket issue. This is an expensive repair, almost the cost of the vehicle! mbusa picks and chooses who they will help? wow, wish I never got this car!

- West Covina, CA, USA

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.

- Redmond, WA, USA

The vehicle is getting stuck in 7 gear on the freeway and not down-shifting to allow passing. Even when coming to a stop, the car will remain in 7th gear. This is a dangerous condition because the consumer does not know the car is not shifting correctly. Mercedes is aware of valvebody and conductor plate issues with these cars.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the solenoid sensor and the cam shaft fuses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the service engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the balance shaft gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. A month after the repairs, the contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to another dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission conductor plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000....updated 02/11/15 the consumer was informed the balance shift gear also needed to be replaced. Updated 02/19/15

- New Albany, OH, USA

Warning message displayed that said take to workshop before putting in gear. Vehicle would not ship out of park. Tried several times, finally turned ignition off, tried again and vehicle went into drive. This same incident happened again on November 26, 2014.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

Vehicle was making a roaring noise, rear differential was gone and had to be replaced. Front differential is also bad and will have to be replaced in the near future.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

This vehicle has had nothing but problems. At around 32,000 it needed transmission repair. Unfortunately it was past the three year offered warranty. At around 45,000 miles, I was told that it needed new shocks. All of the repair men that I spoke with could not believe that this vehicle would need suspension work at such low mileage. After reading these posts, it is clearly a defect in the suspension. Meanwhile, I went through another set of tires because I am still waiting to repair the suspension. I guess I can wait no longer and will need to come out of pocket again. This vehicle has been a nightmare and based on this experience, I will never buy another Mercedes.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that the driver parked in a residential driveway with the engine running and exited the vehicle for thirty seconds. After attempting to re-enter the vehicle, the vehicle abnormally lunged forward, dragging the driver as she attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver noticed that the gear shifter had abnormally shifted out of park. Before the driver was able to fully enter the vehicle, the vehicle crashed into a residential gate. The driver sustained minor abrasions to the head but did not seek any medical treatment. The police were contacted the following day. The manufacturer was also contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 42,689.

- Flushing, NY, USA

2006 Mercedes ML350 75K no warning light or check engine light/unable to drive, vehicle running. Drive gears not moving or reverse not working/towed to Mercedes dealer/service advisory need replace complete transmission will cost 6.5K to replace transmission. After research. Mercedes U.S.a have a class action complaint. Defective idle gears/these defective gears wear out prematurely, excessively, and without warning, causing the vehicle to malfunction, the "check engine light" to remain illuminated, and the vehicle to misfire and /or store driving. Mercedes actual knowledge and intentional concealment of the defect due to company reputation don't want the public to know and may hurt the company image. I was shock after what I was explained by Mercedes advisory not taking any responsible for defected gears and wanted to charge me. Very bad experience with Mercedes.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

I recently started noticing a slight humming sound coming from the front of my SUV. I took it to the service center and was told the front differential needs to be replace at a cost of $3668. I was told they just go bad and also they just replaced two more here lately.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

I bought a 2006 Mercedes 3 years ago thinking I would have a car for a lifetime boy did I go wrong. In the past 3 months I have had major problems and Mercedes doesn't care. The first issue I had to replace the crank shaft $6000 plus for repair I almost went crazy so I started researching on the internet and found out there was a class action law suit for this issue so I phoned Mercedes and they agree to pick up half of the repair. One month later car starts making winding noise take it back to them and now they say it is the front differential $5500 to repair I start to research that on the internet and there are so many complaints for my same issue on the same year and model so I go back to Mercedes however this time not willing to help. How many complaints is it going to take for something to be done to such a powerful company like Mercedes. I truly do not think this is fair and us the consumers are being ripped off.

- Miami, FL, USA

Car does not down shift when slowing down to stop. Then when you try to accelerate it barely moves. One has to place the transmission into park, then turn engine off and then restart engine to reset transmission. Fault codes in the onboard computer all point to valve body conductor plate on transmission. Mercedes will not sell or replace part to independent mechanics. They will only sell it to dealers which I believe are told to diagnose a different problem. In other words work around the problem to generate income before actually trying to fix the actual problem. This is a well documented problem amongst ml 350 owners with some paying thousands and still not having the problem corrected. Please look into this because this can become a safety issue especially at a busy traffic light.

- Healdsburg, CA, USA