2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Complaint Log

After evaluation by garage it is concluded that there’s subframe damage to the vehicle

About 3 years ago, the passenger side of my door started randomly swinging open while I was driving. It was extremely dangerous and almost caused a serious accident the first time it happened. I spent over $1000 to get it fixed. Now, I am 7 months pregnant and it is happening again to the drivers side door. I cannot even drive the car now, because it doesn’t latch at all when I shut the door. I have to figure out a way to keep it shut so I can take it to get fixed again. It was completely unwarranted both times, almost causing serious accidents. I have seen blog posts online of this same incident happening with the same car. This needs to be recalled immediately, and drivers shouldn’t have to pay top dollar (or their life) to fix an issue Mercedes bad door locking mechanism created.

I purchased 4 new tires, my car calls for a staggered fitment (225/45R17 DOT# 1RB7RR9872922 and 1RB7RR9811521 up front and 245/40R17 DOT# 1RB8NR981112 and 1RB8NR9811022 in the rear). Upon returning home, I noticed the tires were installed backwards with the wider ones up front. This will cause the tires to rub the shock absorbers and will lead to tire blowouts and likely much more damage to my vehicle or injury to myself and or others. I called Firestone when realizing this and they said to bring it back and they would fix it. Had I trusted the professionals to do their job correctly and not double checked their work I would have blown out the two front tires within a few thousand miles; fortunately for me, I do not trust anyone to work on my vehicles but myself. Coincidentally, Firestone has an advertisement in their lobby that says "Fixed right or its free guarantee. Ask for details." When I asked the store manager about the sign, I was literally laughed at and told I am not getting free tires. They need to be held accountable for their advertisements and either refund me the purchase amount or they need to remove / edit their signs likely at all 22,000+ locations nationwide.

The vehicle during a severe accident, in which the other drivers air bags were deployed, our vehicles airbags did not in fact deploy at any rate. Which put all passengers in severe danger causing injuries that could have been avoided if they worked properly. Also the drivers seat belt (which was worn at the time of the accident) due to the immense collision at one point clicks unhinged and would no longer actively snap back causing multiple injuries as well. This incident will call for suit.

THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT A COLLISION. I WAS DRIVING 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WITH ROADS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER DASH AIRBAGS WENT OFF OUT OF N O WHERE.

STRONG GAS SMELL FROM REAR SEAT WHENEVER GAS FILLED UP.

MY CAR AFTER FUELING LEAKS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL ENTERS MY CAR. THE STRONG FUEL VAPOR WILL REMAIN UNTIL THE TANK GETS BELOW 3/4. IT WILL BE THERE WHETHER IT IS IN MOTION, STATIONARY, OR AT IDLE. MY ENTIRE GARAGE WILL SMELL OF FUEL DURING THIS TIME WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. I KNOW MERCEDES RECALLED THE E CLASS FUEL TANK BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE. MY CLK500 IS THE SAME AS THE E CLASS BUT THE CONVERTIBLE VERSION. THESE ARE DANGEROUS FAULTY TANKS THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED IN EVERY VEHICLE THEY INSTALLED THEM IN.

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING, MULTIPLE ERROR LIGHTS, ON MULTIPLE DATES.

ON O AROUND SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 I FUELED THIS AUTO I RECENTLY PURCHASED AS A SECOND CAR. MY GARAGE BEGAN TO WREAK HEAVILY OF GASOLINE. MY HOME IS TOTALLY ELECTRIC AND I HAVE NO GAS POWERED ITEMS IN THERE. MY OTHER VEHICLE NEVER SMELLS AND I HAVE HAD IT 2 YEARS. I REMOVED THE MB AND THE SMELL NO LONGER EXISTED, ELIMINATING ANY OTHER SOURCE. I RESEARCHED THIS COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET AND WAS SHOCKED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IGNORED AND THE OBVIOUS IMPENDING DANGERS. THIS CAR HAD ONLY 68000 MILES AND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN SERVICED FREQUENTLY PER CAR FAX. PER INTERNET COMPLAINTS THIS TRAVESTY WAS NEVER RECOGNIZED B MBUSA AND OWNERS WERE LEFT HOLDING THE LEMON AND DEALERS GOT AWAY AS WELL. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE IS CONNECTED TO THIS FUEL DILEMMA! I KNOW THE DANGERS AND I DO NOT WANT IT TO ERUPT IN FIRE AND DESTROY ME, MY HOUSE NOR MY NEW PORSCHE! THIS SEEMS COSTLY AND AN ACCIDENT AWAITING TO HAPPEN. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY OTHERS WITH DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET HAVE NOT REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH YOU. I AM APPALLED AND CHAGRINED AT MBUSA FOR ALLOWING THIS PROBLEM TO EXIST. I WILL BE CONTACTING EVERY ONE I AM ABLE TO REGARDING THE SERIOUS AND EMINENT DANGER OF THIS FUEL LINE MALADY.

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE IN YOUR SYSTEM. RECALL ALREADY ISSUED FOR OTHER MODEL MERCEDES BENZ WITH SAME ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

VEHICLE SHOW AN SRS LIGHT ISSUE ON THE DASHBOARD, I TOOK THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES TO TYSON'S CORNER, VA MERCEDEZ BENZ DEALERSHIP TO FIGURE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE. AFTER A LOT OF INVESTIGATION I FOUND OUT IT MAY BE THE SEATBELT BUCKLES, OR THE CHILD RECOGNITION EMULATOR WHICH ARE GIVING AND ISSUE. IF HE SRS LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. WE OWN A 2004 CLK320 WHICH HAS PRESENTED WITH CONTINUING PROBLEMS. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE ALIGNMENT WAS DEFECTIVE IN WHICH REQUIRED REALIGNMENT AND REAR TIRE REPLACEMENT. AT 21,937 MILES THE CAR PRESENTED WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD JERK/STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE FELT WE WERE GOING TO GET REAR-ENDED AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WHICH REQUIRED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE FLUSHED. THEN AGAIN AT 28,714 MILES THE VEHICLE PRESENTED WITH RECURRING TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS, JERKING & STALLING.. WE SCHEDULED A MERCEDES-BENZ DEPARTMENT SERVICE AND THE DIAGNOSES WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACE AT OVER $9,000. WE REQUESTED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF AMERICA REPLACE OR ASSIST US WITH THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE AT NO COST TO US THE CUSTOMER SINCE THE VEHICLE IS A "LEMON". THE MERCEDES BENZ REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT HE WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER AND GET BACK TO US WITHIN 24 HOURS. WE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM HIM EVEN AFTER LEAVING NUMEROUS VOICE MAIL MESSAGES. WE HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS DEVELOPED A CONDITION THAT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT VERY ROUGHLY AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS SHIFTING CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STUTTER WHEN DOWN SHIFTING OR SHIFTING FROM 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. I HAVE HAD A TRANSMISSION SERVICE, REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION, REPLACEMENT RADIATOR ALL INSTALLED TO NO AVAIL. THE CONDITION IS AT BEST A NUISANCE, AND AT ITS WORST A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS ROUGH SHIFTING OCCURS IN THE LOWER GEARS, AND AT LOWER SPEEDS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WOULD REFUEL, THERE WAS A STRONG OVERWHELMING FUEL ODOR COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN DEALER WHERE TIT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED WHILE THE SRS PANEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TR

BOUGHT CAR IN SEPT. 2012. STARTED TO NOTICE FUEL SMELL AFTER FILL UPS. GETTING WORSE, AND CHECKED FUEL SENDING UNIT ON TOP OF TANK. PUDDLE OF FUEL ON TOP OF SENDING UNIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

STRONG SMELL OF GAS FUMES AT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED. DEALER FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND WAS FILLING THE RECESSED AREA ON TOP OF FUEL TANK WITH GAS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PLASTIC SENDING UNIT HAS A SMALL CRACK OR PIN HOLE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I FOUND ON THE MERCEDES BENZ USER BLOG THAT OTHER CLK OWNERS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ USA AND FILED A COMPLAINT STATING THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY MERCEDES BENZ. *TR

THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED AND MELTED MY SHIRT TAG. THE LEATHER RIPPED AND THE FOAM UNDER THE LEATHER HAS DEFORMED. IF I HADN'T HAVE TURNED IT OFF IT SURELY WOULD'VE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS UNBEARABLY HOT. THIS OCCURRED WITH ONLY 23000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

I SMELLED GASOLINE WHEN MY TWO CARS WERE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THIS OCCURRED ONLY AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANKS (NO TOPPING OFF.) I THOUGHT IT WAS MY 2010 MBZ BUT THE DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. I HAD MY 2004 MBZ CHECKED. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK, BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. MY CAR HAS 80K MILES AND LOOKS NEW; GARAGED, SERVICED AND NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS NO LEAKS. A NEW GAS CAP DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. OVER THREE QUARTERS OF A TANK DOES NOT EMIT ANY ODOR, SO I DON'T FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY. I FEEL THE FUMES COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD INSIDE A GARAGE CONTAINING A HOT WATER HEATER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WEBBING WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY BOTH STATED THAT THE SEAT BEAT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 07/13/11*LJ

I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET WHEN THE MERCEDES BENZ STARTED JERKING. AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE PAST 2ND GEAR; THUS, I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET WITH A 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. THEN, AS I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR FINALLY STALLED. LUCKILY, BECAUSE IT WAS AN INTERSECTION, THE ONCOMING CARS MANEUVERED AROUND ME. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION, IT STARTED UP AGAIN, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT INTO A PARKING LOT (ONCE AGAIN, NOT PAST 2ND GEAR). I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION; AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER ARE ALL DAMAGED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE FAULT LIES ON MERCEDES TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED PARTS DUE TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIALLY FAULTY RADIATOR INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON A BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP OPERATING. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS POTENTIALLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE SINCE THE INCIDENT AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE. PLEASE HELP US. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE WHEN THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT WHICH WAS WHERE ITS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN SHE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, IT FAILED INSPECTION SINCE THE LIGHT WAS ON. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC INFORMED HER OF RECALL 08V303000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT WHEN SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER; SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, I WENT THRU THE STREET AND GOING LESS THAN 25 MPH AND IN LESS THAN 100 YARDS DROVE DIRECTLY INTO AN OVERHEAD LIGHT STANDARD IN A MEDIAN STRIP. I DON'T KNOW TO THIS DAY WHAT HAPPENED. I TOLD MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY (HARTFORD- AARP) THAT I MUST HAVE COUGHED AND MY EYES CLOSED CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO THE LIGHT. TO THIS DAY I AM NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED, .DID I RUN INTO THE LIGHT STANDARD AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OF DID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY AND CAUSE ME TO RUN INTO THE LIGHT STANDARD? MY WIFE THINKS THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE LIGHT STANDARD.MY WIFE NOR I FELT NO IMPACT OF ANY TYPE PRIOR TO THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING, EG DID NOT NOTICE RUNNING INTO A CURB OR ANYTHING ELSE. THIS HAPPENED IN MAY OF 2009 BUT THERE JUST WAS AN ARTICLE IN OUR LOCAL PAPER WHERE THE READER WAS WRITING ABOUT AN UNEXPLAINED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT ANY IMPACT IN THEIR MERCEDES I AM SURE MERCEDES BENZ WOULD DENY ANY BLAME FOR MY QUESTIONABLE DEPLOYMENT OF MY AIRBAG. I WOULD LIKE THIS INCIDENT ON RECORD. MY CLK 320 WITH LESS THAN 25,000 MILES AND GOING LESS THAN 25 MPH WAS TOTALED AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY 2004 MBZ 500 CABRIOLET STOPPED RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. IT WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN IRVINE CA. TOWED TO AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP- CRANKSHAFT ELECTRONIC SENSOR SHUT VEHICLE DOWN. COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. LESS THAN 48K MILES ON CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANS THE SRS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING PROPERLY. THERE IS ALSO A TELE-AIDE INDICATOR FLASHING IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V534000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 05/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. WHEN THE CONTACT SAT DOWN AND STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ARM EXTENDERS CAME FORWARD AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT MOVE AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NEW ARM EXTENDERS WERE NEEDED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THE ARM EXTENDERS STAY IN ONE PLACE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE MAY BE ELECTRICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,155. UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIRMAN HAD TO PULL THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS APART TO GET IT TO OPERATE. UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB

PASSENGER LATCH BROKE AND DOOR WOULD NOT HOLD CLOSED . MB FIXED THIS. NOW THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR CAME OPEN AND WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. COULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERE INJURY. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR TO MB WHILE HOLDING DOOR CLOSED. THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS ISSUE. *TR

KEYES MERCEDES BENZ SOLD ME A VEHICLE ,CLK 320, WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES , AND WAS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE USING THE CUP HOLDER ON MY 2004 MERCEDEZ BENZ CLK VIN [XXX] COFFEE SPILLED AND CAUSED THE RADIO AND A/C UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. THIS RESULTED IN ALMOST $2,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE CUP HOLDER IN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RADIO AND A/C CONTROLS. I KNOW THAT MERCEDES HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THE SLK MODELS WITH SPILLS CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO SHORT OUT. BASED ON THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER IS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT SPILLING WHEN FACED WITH A SUDDEN STOP OR A HOLE IN THE ROAD. I REQUESTED THE REPAIR TO BE COVERED BY MERCEDES BENZ BUT THEY REFUSED TO HONOR MY REQUEST. SINCE THE DESIGN IS SO FLAWED, AND THE DAMAGE TO ELECTONIC EQUIPMENT SO FORESEEABLE IT IS WRONG TO DO THIS TO CONSUMERS. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ON MONDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CLK55 CONVERTIBLE TO MY OFFICE, GOING 55 MPH AND LOST ALL POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR GOING AGAIN, WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN DRIVE A FEW MILES PER HOUR TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION ARE BROKEN. THE TORQUE CONVERTER PART HAS BEEN ORDERED FROM GERMANY, AND IT IS ON BACKORDER FOR THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD HAVE LED TO A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO YOU TO MAKE YOU FORMALLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER INDIVIDUALS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF A $2 BILLION MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY, AND HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED IN OUR BUSINESS WITH AN OPERATING ROOM PRODUCT, OR ANY CRITICAL DEVICE, WE WOULD BE OBLIGED TO IMMEDIATE FULLY INVESTIGATE AND NOTIFY THE FDA IF A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. *AK

SPARE TIRE FOLDS OVER WHEN INSTALLED IN A TURN UNDER 55 MPH LEAVING CAR EXTREMLY UNSTABLE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER WERE RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS DAMAGE ON EVERY SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY THE RIGHT REAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *NM *SC

MY VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT OUT IN MY BENZ. IT SURGED AND DESTROYED OTHER COMPONENTS OF MY VEHICLE. NOT TOO MENTION THAT THIS IS HIGHLY IN SAFE. I RESEARCHED ON LINE, AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD DONE A VOLUNTARY RECALL, BUT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE NOW, AND ARE DENYING IT. THEY SAY MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH, AND I QUESTIONED THERE INTEGRITY. THIS IS SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE, AND I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD SON THAT MUST RIDE IN THIS CARE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, AND IT IS DANGEROUS, BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT- NOW THAT IS UNDER OWNERSHIP. (AP) DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG SAID THURSDAY IT IS RECALLING SOME 1.3 MILLION MERCEDES-BENZ CARS WORLDWIDE TO FIX PROBLEMS WITH THEIR ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIES. THE GERMAN-U.S. AUTO MAKER SAID IT WILL CHECK THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IN THE ALTERNATOR ON SIX- AND EIGHT-CYLINDER MODELS AND REPLACE THE REGULATOR IF NEEDED. IT SAID IT WOULD INSTALL BATTERY CONTROL SOFTWARE ON THE E-CLASS AND CLS-CLASS MODELS BUILT FROM JANUARY 2002-JANUARY 2005. THE COMPANY ALSO SAID THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE E, SL AND CLS-CLASS MADE SINCE JUNE 2001 WOULD BE UPDATED. THE COMPANY SAID THE RECALL WAS PART OF ITS EFFORT TO IMPROVE ITS RENEWED EMPHASIS ON ITS CARS AND IS NOTIFYING ITS CUSTOMERS IN WRITING OF THE RECALL. THE COMPANY HAS SET UP A HOT LINE FOR EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS AT 800-1-777-7777. IN THE UNITED STATES, CUSTOMERS CAN CALL 1-800-FOR-MERC. *TR

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ARM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED FOR LEAKING FLUID, AND NOT CHANGING GEARS.*AK