NHTSA Complaint #10455203 — 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML320

BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED. THESE FAILURES INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A REAR END COLLISION. WHEN THE LEFT ASSEMBLY FAILED IN 2011, I ATTRIBUTED IT TO BAD LUCK. WHEN THE RIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 66000 MILES IN 2012, IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT MERCEDES MAY HAVE A PROBLEM THAT DESERVES A RECALL ACTION. INSTEAD OF COSTING ABOUT $5 TO $10 FOR LIGHT BULBS THESE ASSEMBLIES COST ABOUT $300 EACH TO REPLACE AND INSTALL. $600 IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE SOME PEOPLE TO NOT REPAIR THEM AND THUS CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. AT 65000 MILES I ALSO ENCOUNTERED SOME VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR OIL LEAKS THAT MAKE MESSES ON MY DRIVEWAY AND CAUSE WATER POLLUTION WHEN THE OIL RUNS OFF. HAVE YOU HAD ANY REPORTS OF REAR SEAL LEAKS, OIL PAN LEAKS OR OIL COOLER LEAKS ON THIS VEHICLE?