jangy

I'll bring that up. At this stage, I don't really care what it is. I just want a safe car.

redvettx2

I was called last week and MB want to put another valve body assembly in my car. It is a new updated version. My was changed only 6 weeks ago so it looks like these tranny's have major issues. They also want to swap my motor too. I am already tired of all the BS wit this car. I have an appointment with the zone rep on Monday to discuss this lemon. I would be contacting my dealer regarding the new valve body assembly.

gsrjc

i just got my ML350. it had 23 miles on it and i am experiencing some jerky tranny issues only when i am slowing down from like 5-10mph to dead stop. it doesn't happen all the time but it is annoying. also, maybe it hasn't happened too much because i am babying the car now to break it in.

any new news with the tranny? should i have my dealer change all the fluids at the 1000 mile mark just to see if things get better.

Sparky

I know that Greg disagrees with me... And, I have no knowledge on how or even if the suspension settings are linked to the transmission. But, I had the same issue and changed my suspension setting to comfort. I no longer have this problem.

It seems to be the worst in the sport setting, next in auto, and the best in comfort.

Let me know what happens.

gsrjc

well my ml350 doesn't have the ability to change the suspension settings so i'll let you know what i hear when i take my ML to the dealership for my 1k mile checkup.

jangy

zack,
actually, nothing is fixed. they just tried changing the valve housing again. what did you have done and how was it diagnosed? I would love to find the root cause.

newml500

just returned from the dealership. They decided to reprogram something and see if they could eliminate the problems. The drive home was the same as always and a couple times the car hesitated when rolling a stop and then finally engaging a gear. I don't know what the problem is and I'm simply growing tired of thinking something is always wrong.

I did get a chance to drive another (new) ML500 which downshifted noticably like mine but did not have the same issues of the indecisive tranny. I also noticed that the front end was much quieter than mine. Mine seems to have a whinier noise than that one. Is there a transfer case on this that could be making that noise?

jangy

Another thing you can try is the hill start up option. I noticed that mine causes LOTS of extra noise and resistance from the drive train. The manual just says that the brakes will stay engaged for a few seconds after the pedal is released, stopping the car from rolling backwards. I don't know why it would cause continued "pull", but maybe it does.

GregW / Oregon

Actually, it is only supposed to hold the brakes for one second, according to the manual. Mine seems to work fine.

jangy

Exactly, mine lags on. Feels like some drain on the drivetrain, but I don't know what. Could it be that the brakes are engaged?

jangy

Holy COW!!!!

Tranny Dropped on my wife for the 5th time. The stealer installed the 5th valve body housing?

akssriva

I bought a brand new ML in July and started facing the 'Jerking' problem right of the bat. Did not see it during test drive.

Dealer first replaced Valve body and then replaced the entire transmission. Problem is still not resolved, car Jerks at lower speeds and makes a 'thud' & completely disorients the vehicle. Supposedly, dealer had a Merc technicial test drive the vehicle and according to MB, it 'meets specifications'. What a load of bull.

Has anyone here managed to get this problem fixed? What are our options at this point?

MB Fanatic

Jangy just have your dealer replace the vehicle with another one. I think you got a lemon man.

jangy

I'm sure I have a lemon. Its MBUSA that needs to get convinced.

beemaze

Jangy,

Either MBUSA buys it back or you lemon that thing and cut your losses. Either way, let us know the VIN when the dust settles, so nobody here gets stuck with it....

deaguero

What a bummer, I recently listed my '04 Nissan Murano on Auto.Trader.com so I could get into the new ML350. These are horror stories that make me want to reconsider my potential sale and stick with the trouble free Murano. I'm going to seriously reconsider the ML350 purchase now!! WTF

firstmbml350

Do not believe everything you read here, I have my ML for 3 months and seriously there are no issues, touch wood. There might be some isolated issues with tranny here and there, but there is no way it is a widespread. Do not base your opinion on reading couple of posts here. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase and I would ask you to reconsider too.

Best of luck in whatever decision you take.

Thx

deaguero

firstmbml350: I appreciate the feedback! My '03 W211 E55 has been trouble free too. So I guess a few guys that have some real problems are the exception rather than the norm. I'll probablystill sell the Murano (dislike FWD and the CVT tranny. Thanks for the positive feedback !!!

philtome

I agree with firstmbml350, the issues cannot be that wide spread. We have not had any issues with the new ML (none whatsoever), and have had no tranny issues with any MB we have owned thus far. The nice thing about these forums is that you can see how others deal with the problems that do come up.

jangy

I have gone through 5 Mercedes over the past 4 years (and MANY in the past), so i have a feel for reality. the newer Mercs are showing a much greater incidence of electrical glitches and or sporatic technical concerns. This has been the strongest on the W211 line, which I have had 2 of and love (even with the concerns). If you have an '03 E55 and are happy, then you will have no issues w/ the ML. I bought one of the first they made. I have it from a source that there was a change in the production line very soon after to alleviate this alignment concern. I am just pissed that MB thinks I will be the Guinie Pig and stay with the crappy design. The gear box design is what MB is moving forward with. It is in the new S. So, they will get it to work. I love the gadgets and am willing to live with some breaking from time to time. I just want a serious (i.e. potential safety) concern like mine to be addressed differently and more quickly than say a cosmetic defect.

slsteve

I just had a big tranny moment, and dont feel the same about the car anymore, car is 4 days old with 160miles on the clock.

https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w164/122490-my-new-ml320-cdi-sport-has-arrived.html

MVillareal

We are about 2000 miles on our 06 ML 350 and I do notice a bit of an abruptness of the shifting. Interestingly enough, Consumer Reports magazine reports this issue as one of the lows associated with this vehicle. I will definitely be indicating this to my service advisor on our next "courtesy car wash".

newml500

my problem is not so much that the car has problems because every car I've ever owned has had problems. The difference is that MBUSA doesn't mind that some of the cars are having serious problems. Dangerous problems but some how things are within specs or in my case...all normal. I have driven all sorts of cars that were not as much money as the ML500 and none...NONE have driven as poorly or had such mysteriously undiagnosable problems as mine. Beware buyer beware of their negligence.

Chip

I've said it before, I will not buy a redesign on the first year out. I too had an 03 E-55 that had the same design problems that was disscused above. I do however have the new 7 speed in a 05 CL-500. Not the smoothest transmision I have ever owned, but the better fuel economy makes up for that.

I lost 20 grand when I finally traded the E-55 off after it could not be made to go down the highway straight. Don't put up with a bad car, use the lemon law and do post everywhere you can your problems.

mbrady

Mercedes-Benz W164 vehicles are equipped with a 722.9 (Benz-speak) 7-speed automatic transmission. The new transmission features an electronic valve body that works very differently as compared to those found in other M-B transmissions. Typically, the problem is erraticated by replacing the valve body with an updated unit, but occassionally torque converter and transmission replacement is necessary. The process of any of the procedures is a bit quicker now that M-B is requiring less documentation for replacement and has improved document transportation system.