ML AC Recall
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
Well logically speaking, if there is a real software "fix" for the issue, they would not provide "warranty" going forward from the "settlement" date for future repairs. They would just issues the "recall" notices for software updates. I recall the former but not the later happening in the US.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 811
From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
Settlement was with MBUSA. My '15 ML (always dealer serviced) and my '19 GLE do not turn-on the fan 45min after. I'm in FL (as hot and humid as it gets), I do not have any issues with '15 and '19 (but I really take care of these cars). Know about turning A/C off "trick", but I never turn it off until I park.
Having said that, my former '14 ML had this issue once way back in 2015 and after dealer "treatment" it was gone (they did tell me it will come back at some point, but I traded the car in '16). My daughter's '16 GLC (operated 1K miles to the North of me) had this issue in '19. After replacement of filters immediately after smell appeared (no treatment) issues is gone.
Having said that, my former '14 ML had this issue once way back in 2015 and after dealer "treatment" it was gone (they did tell me it will come back at some point, but I traded the car in '16). My daughter's '16 GLC (operated 1K miles to the North of me) had this issue in '19. After replacement of filters immediately after smell appeared (no treatment) issues is gone.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 811
From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
Well logically speaking, if there is a real software "fix" for the issue, they would not provide "warranty" going forward from the "settlement" date for future repairs. They would just issues the "recall" notices for software updates. I recall the former but not the later happening in the US.
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 78
Likes: 36
2008 CL550
Just fixed mine with Kool it, easy and works great!
I used Kool It on my 2014 ML350 and it completely removed the musty smell for me in just one treatment!
I get regular services, and keep the car stupidly clean and fresh inside... So when I had an embarrassingly musty smell stinking up my passengers one day, I was out to fix this ASAPAF! Dealer quoted me $250 to clean and deodorize the A/c box and replace filters. For $15 on Amazon, I got a can of Kool it, unscrewed the floor board above the passenger foot well, found the A/c drain hose about the height of the radio behind the dash, pulled the hose off, ran the koolit spray hose down all the way and fired half the can into it.. waited 10 minutes for it to foam into liquid and drain off, and then fired the other half of the can in there again. Reassembled the car, turned the car A/C on full blast for about 10 minutes with interior air recirculator on, and then boom fresh clean air! Absolutely no smell of anything (no fake added smells or anything)! So far Koolit has lasted really well.
I don't care what people think/say, when something works for me I'm going to keep doing it. So I'm adding Koolit to my "schit to keep on hand in the garage.." list along with Seafoam that I add to the oil and fuel every 10k miles. Makes my car run awesome!
Give Kool It a try and see if that doesn't fix the problem for you. I think otherwise we're driving two-model old cars now so the manufacturer no longer cares to help us.
Good luck
Joel
I get regular services, and keep the car stupidly clean and fresh inside... So when I had an embarrassingly musty smell stinking up my passengers one day, I was out to fix this ASAPAF! Dealer quoted me $250 to clean and deodorize the A/c box and replace filters. For $15 on Amazon, I got a can of Kool it, unscrewed the floor board above the passenger foot well, found the A/c drain hose about the height of the radio behind the dash, pulled the hose off, ran the koolit spray hose down all the way and fired half the can into it.. waited 10 minutes for it to foam into liquid and drain off, and then fired the other half of the can in there again. Reassembled the car, turned the car A/C on full blast for about 10 minutes with interior air recirculator on, and then boom fresh clean air! Absolutely no smell of anything (no fake added smells or anything)! So far Koolit has lasted really well.
I don't care what people think/say, when something works for me I'm going to keep doing it. So I'm adding Koolit to my "schit to keep on hand in the garage.." list along with Seafoam that I add to the oil and fuel every 10k miles. Makes my car run awesome!
Give Kool It a try and see if that doesn't fix the problem for you. I think otherwise we're driving two-model old cars now so the manufacturer no longer cares to help us.
Good luck
Joel
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 789
Likes: 55
From: Henrico, Virginia
2014 ML350 4Matic
The "recall" is a software update that turns on the cabin fan about 45 minutes after engine shutoff to dry out the evaporator and condensation pan vs. the previous setting that only turned it on ~10 minutes after engine shutoff. Every ML that has been brought in for scheduled service at a dealership sometime after 2017 would have automatically received the update.
