MrLupin

Just bought a 2013 ML550 (A W166?) with 30k miles on it. Absolutely love it! Unfortunately, after about 2k miles all power to the wheels completely disappeared. While driving, in forward gear, the power just quit. It will also not move in reverse and it coasts in park.

I get no codes and the Mercedes dealership gets no codes even though they know it isn't working - they had to tow it into the service bay. The strange things is that this problem comes and goes and apparently they can't get a code when it's not happening. Somehow the dealership got it working again - although they don't know how - and I'm being told I can come pick up the vehicle. It's under warranty and I will not accept it back until the problem is identified and we know it has been fixed. I was told by a service writer that it might be a malfunctioning valve body. Has anybody heard of anything like this or have any insight? I want to keep this truck but will be forced to require the dealership to buy it back if the problem can't be identified and fixed. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Benz_Pro

I have seen the transmission conductor plate intermittentlt fail and cause this. However is was throwing CAN communication fault codes on drivetrain CAN in multiple control units.

MrLupin

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, I ended up with the seller taking the vehicle back for a full refund. They didn't want to spend the money to figure out what was wrong with it and I wouldn't take it back without the problem being solved. They decided to wholesale it. I'm afraid it will be sold by a dishonest used car dealership to some unsuspecting buyer.

I really wish they had been able to figure out the problem - I absolutely loved this ML550. I can not find any other vehicle that has everything I need and want in a mid-size SUV. Power, comfort, speed, price and anything else. It only lacked mechanical integrity, which is obviously a deal breaker. I'll just keep driving my Sequoia until I find the right vehicle.

Galen Foster

[QUOTE=MrLupin;9011393]Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, I ended up with the seller taking the vehicle back for a full refund. They didn't want to spend the money to figure out what was wrong with it and I wouldn't take it back without the problem being solved. They decided to wholesale it. I'm afraid it will be sold by a dishonest used car dealership to some unsuspecting buyer.

I really wish they had been able to figure out the problem - I absolutely loved this ML550. I can not find any other vehicle that has everything I need and want in a mid-size SUV. Power, comfort, speed, price and anything else. It only lacked mechanical integrity, which is obviously a deal breaker. I'll just keep driving my Sequoia until I find the right vehicle.[/QUOTE

Keep the Toyota. Way less issues.