| Issue ID | 1031836 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10558720 |
| Manufacurer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| Brand | MERCEDES BENZ |
| Model | ML350 |
| Model Year | 2006 |
| File date | 04/01/14 |
| Component | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Night before incident the automatic rear lift gate opened when front driver door would be opened or closed. While vehicle was parked and shut off, tail hazard light were activated along with warning alarm for tailgate malfunction or open. During the morning of the incident, vehicle continued to show same issues. When vehicle was later entered, issue with tailgate opening seemed to have stopped, after driving an approximate 5-7 miles, odder of smoke emerged, tailgate warning alarm sounded along with normal traffic horn, in addition cabin lights turned on and warn messages appeared on dash for flat tire,blown bulbs, etc, driver pulled to side of road and turned off vehicle to investigate. Soon after turning off vehicle smoke began to fill cabin, driver immediately exited vehicle, flames over took vehicle within minutes. Remains show upper half of cabin (seats and up) took primary burn, flooring was not burned. Engine bay only has minor fire damage from large flames and heat going out of front windshield. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 69000 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | FALL RIVER, MA |
| VIN pattern | XXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | Y |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 0 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 35 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |