The balance shaft on my ML350 has gone bad. The vehicle was in motion on a local street when it suddenly started to stall and eventually cut off. The steering wheel got stiff and I had to forcefully turn it to pull to the side of the road. After attempting to start it again it would only repeat what it's done before which is stall and cut off. After having it towed to my mechanic I was told that the balance shaft is bad. My mechanic advised me to call Mercedes to see if they would fix it out of good faith but that got me no where. There are countless blogs about Mercedes owners who are having the exact same issue with the M272 engine. A rep for Mercedes admitted to me that they are aware of the issue but still refuses to recall. The repair quote is @ about $5000 which is out of my range so the vehicle remains parked. I understand that there was a class action lawsuit but the time frame has expired by the time I purchased this car.

- Cambria Heights, NY, USA

While driving on the freeway, check engine light illuminated, some decrease in power. Took to mb dealer, pulled the code for cam shaft sensor, possibly cam shaft balancer.waiting to hear about cost & potential future problems.

- Reno, NV, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350. While driving at various speeds, the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously and the engine stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle also lunged forward when the brake pedal was depressed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Updated 05/10/16

- Charlotte, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. While driving approximately 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,763.

- Lawrenceville, NJ, USA

Check engine light came on. Took the car to my repair shop and was told that the engine had a bad balance shaft and the engine would need to be removed for repair. The estimate cost could reach $6,000 or more and would take more than week to complete.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

My car stalled on the street. This is a safety issue. Called dealer, they said turn off and turn on to reset. This worked, however it continued to happened until I brought it to the dealer. They said it was the balance shaft and cost $6000. I called corporate and gave them law suit documentation, ,emails, testimonials and bulletins showing the issues of this vehicle. Because of the miles and car not covered under warranty, they would reduce cost by 25%. that is still to high. This car at the time should have been covered and the dealer recommended turning off/on the car to reset. For a new car to be given that advise is insane. There should be a recall on this vehicle because their tons of information on the web, emails and etc. Regarding this issue. I need my car fixed asap. I can't afford this high repair.

- Vallejo, 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

Cam-shaft and crank-shaft malfunction. Vehicle wont drive properly and also experiencing electrical issues. Lights and locking mechanisms going on and off on their own.

- East Elmhurst, NY, USA

While traveling in the center lane on a major parkway at the posted speed limit, our 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 experienced a complete engine failure. The car would not accelerate; steering was compromised, as was braking. Braking and steering were very difficult, but possible allowing the car to be guided to the shoulder. All four family members were present including our two young sons. After being towed to a local authorized dealer repair shop, 4 days after the incident...the problem was reported as "engine jumped time? and the repair department would have to ?remove engine and tear down to find cause of failure?most likely needs engine assembly?. as that the quoted price of the diagnostics and repair exceeds the current value of the car by several thousand dollars, the car was returned without further diagnostics or repairs. At no time in the past 4 years has there been a ?check engine? light nor were there any indicators of any serious mechanical issues as per the car?S onboard computer reporting system or in general daily operations. Again, it is important to note, that there were no indicator lights or warnings prior to the failure. It is also important to note that in January of 2010, the same authorized dealer repair department mentioned above conducted the following repairs: ?removed engine, replaced balance shaft, replaced oil pump, replaced cam solenoids, replaced gaskets?? in response to a persistent ?check engine? light. Our records indicate that the 2010 ?check engine light? occurred at 55,395 miles. This recent failure has occurred, minus the ?check engine light" or any other indicators, at 99,424 miles. Our research indicates that this may be a known issue with this particular engine.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

Balance shaft needs to be replaced $6500 from Mercedes Benz dealer quote original owner oil changed 8 times in 72000 miles.

- Arlington, MA, USA

Took my vehicle to the dealership for check engine light. My registration is up next month and need to smog. It won't pass with check engine light. Dealership says its timing gear/camshaft issue and it will be $7500 to repair and its dangerous to drive. The service advisor said Mercedes would be willing to pay 25% of parts for the repair which would be around $500. This I thought was strange so I looked it up online and their are hundreds of stories and a couple class action lawsuits regarding this same issue for this engine. Mercedes Benz obviously knows about it and should recall it.

- Tustin, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the engine needed to be replaced but the contact did not know the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,357.

- Alburn, CA, USA

I was on my way to pick up my spouse from the airport one night without warning the vehicle started making a rocking motion and the orange check engine light came on. I pulled over, turned off the engine and exited the vehicle to see what was wrong, I re-entered the vehicle and tried to re-start the vehicle but it would not start. I called Mercedes Benz and they proceeded to have my car towed to the shop. I waited 4 months for them to assist me in fixing my vehicle since the warranty has expired and I have no extended, they refused to assist me even though they told me that the manifold had broken off and may get into the engine and that I may need a new engine of which I ended up purchasing a low mileage engine. Prior to this I paid $1500. For them to fix 2 leaks on my power steering and as of now my vehicle is leaking oil and making that same loud noise as before they fixed the leaks. I have been very very upset with them, my vehicle has been giving me too much trouble for not having 100 thousand miles. Please help. I call their corporate office and even wrote a letter to them and all they offered me was $2000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle, you may think that a Mercedes Benz will be able to do better that for their customers. I was lied to by them pertaining to the engine, once I was told that the engine was bad then I was told that it was not bad. I took my car from them and took it to an independent car repairing.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

My check engine light came on and I took the vehicle to a local Mercedes dealer, and the tech told me that the balance shaft was the problem and that it will cost me about $8000 to fix it. He also said that there was no manufacturer warranty to fix it. It took the vehicle to independent mechanic who fixed the problem with about $7200. I researched the problem and found out that is common problem with the make and model, and there is a pending class action suit in NJ against Mercedes usa. I contacted Mercedes usa in August 2013 about reimbursing me the cost of repair, but the manager I spoke to denied the request. Action requested: I am seeking the help of NHTSA in recovering my cost of repair.

- Mitchellville, MD, USA

My check engine light came on about 24 June 2013 or so. I contacted atlanta classic cars, my local mb dealership to address the issue. My vehicle was inspected on 2 July, and the report indicated my balance shaft needed to be replaced ($5,100), my power steering components needed to be replaced ($3,067.50), and my transmission valve body needed to be replaced ($1,812.95). I have been the sole owner of this vehicle, and have had it serviced regularly at mb dealerships (critz - savannah, ga and atlanta classic cars - duluth, ga). Previously, this vehicle had transmission problems, which occurred just after the warranty expired. At first, atlanta classic cars did not want to take responsibility for the issue, since the vehicle's warranty had expired. After my husband got involved, they agreed to fix the problem for no charge. Another minor problem involved the locking mechanism on the vehicle's hatch -- it had to be replaced three times before it finally worked properly. I am very dismayed that after seven years and 109K miles, my vehicle is experiencing such expensive problems as this.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA