2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR HESITATING AND JERKING FIRST FEW TIMES THEY FIXED IT THEN MY CAR STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC GOING 40 MILES PER HOUR, THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AFTER CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION IT STOPPED AGAIN ON THE STREET GOING 30 MILES PER HOUR. MY CAR IS STILL HESITATING AND JERKING. I AM SO TIRED OF TAKING THE CAR IN ALL THE TIME AND THEM GIVING ME A RENTAL, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THINK ITS FUNNY THAT I HAVE DRIVEN A RENTAL SO MANY TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TOTAL OF ABOUT 50-60 DAYS TOTAL. MERCEDES WILL NOT GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR CHANGE MY CAR. I NEED HELP PLEASE BEFORE MY CAR STOPS ON ME AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEONE HITS ME OR I HIT SOMEONE. *JB

BRAKES SQUEAL IN CONSUMER'S 2003 MERCEDES BENZ 3500. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNT, UPDATED SOFTWARE, REPLACED CALIPER,REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AS WELL AS CHANGED A SPRING CLIP. PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. *TS *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT RESUMED DRIVING EVEN THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT FORCE BEING APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN 2006 UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED BECAUSE HER RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,559. UPDATED 03/11/14*LJ THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND POWER STEERING HOSE BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/18/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. HE WAS DRIVING 35MPH ON 12-15-05 WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AND A CRASH OCCURRED WHICH SEVERELY INJURED HIS SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CITATION. THE CONTACT NOTICED A YELLOW BRAKE WARNING LIGHT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED HE SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM HIS TOES TO THE TOP OF HIS HEAD INCLUDING A CONCUSSION AND MEMORY LOSS. HE WAS TAKEN TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM WHO ONLY DIAGNOSED HIM WITH A FRACTURED ANKLE. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED THREE TO FOUR WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED AT THAT TIME BUT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. HE HAD BEEN CONFINED TO A COUCH OR A BED SINCE THE CRASH OCCURRED DUE TO THE INJURIES HE SUSTAINED. HE ALSO HAD A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, HIS HIPS AND KNEES WERE SNAPPED, HE LOST ONE KIDNEY AND HIS STOMACH WAS PLACED BEHIND HIS HEART DURING SURGERY TWICE FOR THE BLEEDING THROUGH HIS ARTERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL 04V296000 , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC MFR'S REPORT DATE: JUN 22, 2004 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V133000 , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, MFR'S REPORT DATE: MAR 31, 2005 ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGINEERED IMPROPERLY AND WAS NO LONGER BEING INSTALLED IN MERCEDES BENZ. HE STATED THAT NHTSA THOUGHT THAT MERCEDES WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL AND ITS CUSTOMERS; HOWEVER, THEY FAILED TO DO SO. THE INSURANCE AGENT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DOCTOR HAD NOT NOTICED THE EXTENT OF SEVERAL OF HIS INJURIES FOR AT LEAST 4 YEARS. HE ALSO HAD THREE EYE SURGERIES WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,847.

I WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE (2003 MERCEDES E 320) BETWEEN 2 CARS IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY ON THE PARKING SPOT (AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN TO ENTER THE SPOT ... WHILE THE FEET WERE ON THE BREAK PEDAL) WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN UN-INTENDED ACCELERATION THAT MADE THE VEHICLE RACE OFF AND HIT THE CONCRETE WALL ABOUT TWO FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, HEAD LIGHTS. THE FRONT DOORS WERE JAMMED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO USE THE PASSENGER DOORS FOR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS BURNING SMELL (BUT NO SMOKE) IN THE CAR SOON AFTER THE IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE NECK, CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PAIN. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THIS MODEL IN 2004. THIS AS ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER (RALLYE MORORS, ROSLYN, NY) .*JB

DT: CONSUMER SMELLS A GAS ODOR IN THE CAR. SHE HAS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM SINCE SHE BOUGHT THE CAR.*AK

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

DT: THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN BAD FROM THE TIME SHE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 17,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME WAS @3,4000 MILES, BUT SHE HAS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK

ON MARCH 31,2005 ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL NEWS,THE CRYSLER COMPANY 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. MY CAR HAD BATTERY PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE NEWS, SOMEHOW THEY FIX IT BUT NOT THE SOFTWARE. UP TO PRESENT, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL LETTER FROM THE COMPANY DESPITE OF THE NEWS, DESPITE THAT MY CAR IS AFFECTED (I HAD CHECKED WITHTHE COMPANY REGARDING MY VIN # AND CONFIRMED THAT IT IS AFFECTED ). I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO START RECALLING AND FIXING THE PROBLEM BEFORE ANY INCIDENT WILL HAPPEN. IT HAPPEN TO ME ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM IN WHICH MY CAR JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, WHICH I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE IRONY IS THAT ,THAT DAY I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER AFTER THE FACT. AT THAT TIME, I BELIEVE THAT THE COMPANY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM 5 MONTHS PRIOR. PLEASE ASSIST WITH THIS PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS A VERY LOUD NOISE CAME M THE ENGINE. WHEN TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

GOODYEAR TIRE DEFECT GOODYEAR LS TIRE. TIREES ARE CUPPING STARTING AT APPROX.15000 MILES. TIRES MUST BE REPLACED AT 20000 MILES. NO RESPONSE BY GOODYEAR. GOODYEAR HAS HAD 294 ON-LINE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS TIRE WITH APPROX. 85% FOR THIS OR SIMULAR PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OKAY. SEE WWW.GOODYEAR.COM. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LIFTING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND COMMENCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN IT CAUSES A LACK OF BRAKING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. *AK

GENERALLY CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HESITATES TO MOTION WHEN IMMEDIATELY PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE IN GEAR VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, RESULTING IN A JERK.*AK

AFTER RECEIVING NHTSA RECALL 04V296000 MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED UNTIL JANUARY 2005.*AK

I OWN A MERCEDES E 500 ,YEAR 2004.I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM AFTER I ALMOST KILL MYSELF WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED YESTERDAY. THE MERCEDES FAILED TO INFORM THE CONSUMER ESP. THIS KIND OF DEFECT. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS RECALL WAS SINCE MAY AND HAD TO EXPERIENCE MYSELF BEFORE RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER. THIS IS NOT A GOOD BUSSINESS PRACTICE AND IN FACT A NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY. THIS CAN CAUSE MY LIFE AND MAY OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME MODEL OF CAR IN WHOM I KNOW A FEW AND THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL LETTER.

DT: THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT ON OCT. 21 2004 HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR A SAFETY RECALL TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 2004050014-SBS. THE RECALL WAS REGARDING THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE LINE FROM THE BRAKE FLUID LOOKS AS THOUGH IT HAS BEEN CUT AND IT LOOKED LIKE ELECTRICAL TAPE HAD BEEN PLACED AROUND IT WERE THE CUT WAS LOCATED. HE TALKED TO MERCEDES AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK WITH HIM YET. HE HAS ALSO REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT UNIT WHICH CONTROLS ALL THE LIGHTS. *JB

CAR PURCHASED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT FLETCHER JOHES, NEWPORT BEACH, CA..A TOTAL OF 20 PLUS FAULTS AND 13 WEEKS IN REPAIR OUT OF 12 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP...HAD ASKED DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATOR. DEALER WANTS US TO TRADE IN AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR. AFTER PAYING $50,000 FOR A QUALITY NAME, THIS SEEMS LIKE A JOKE. 1. FOUL AMONIA SMALL FROM A/C WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED. DEALER CHANGED VENTILATION FILTER BUT SMELL CONTINUES. 2. RADIO BUTTON STICKS. DEALER SAYS MB DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THIS. CAR IS WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS. 3. CONVINENCE SETTINGS FOR LIGHTS AND MIRROR KEEP RESETTING. DEALER SAYS THEY FOUND NO FAULT CODE BUT THIS PROBLEM REMAINS. 4. WHEN GOING UP HILL THE TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS AND THE CAR GOES TO A CRAWL THEN STALLS, WHEN ACCELATOR IS PRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO 1ST GEAR AND THE CAR LEAPS FORWARD. DEALER SAYS THEY FOUND NO FAULT CODE BUT THIS PROBLEM REMAINS.*AK

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, IN WHICH THE SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. *JB

PURCHASED 2003 MERCEDES E-320 ON 1/10/04 FROM LEITH MERCEDES IN RALEIGH, NC, TWO HOURS FROM MY HOME. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE TELE-AID DID NOT WORK - MODULE REPLACED - OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE; ADJUSTING MOTOR FOR OUTSIDE MIRROR DID NOT WORK - MOTOR REPLACED - OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE. IN MAY, 2004, DASH MESSAGE SAID CONTACT DEALER. CONTACTED DEALER WHO SENT FLATBED FOR CAR. HAD CAR FOR 3 WEEKS. NO EXPLANATION OF FAILURE. FINALLY ARRANGED A RENTAL CAR FOR ME. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER FOR A/C FAILURE (DROVE 1,400 MILES WITH NO A/C!) LEAKY TRUNK (PART OF THAT TRIP WAS IN THE RAIN, AND MY LUGGAGE AND OTHER ITEMS IN THE TRUNK GOT WET) "GROANING NOISE" IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHISTLING SUNROOF( WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF WHISTLING - OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE) WHISTLING FAN;AMBIENT LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AT WILL; REAR OVERHEAD LIGHT DOES NOT WORK; CLOCK LOSES TIME. THIS TIME, UNDER DURESS, THEY ARRANGED A LOANER VEHICLE FOR ME. HAVE HAD ONE CALL FROM DEALER SINCE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN ON 9/12/04 TO CLARIFY AN ITEM ON MY LIST. THEY "DID NOT KNOW" WHEN MY CAR WOULD BE READY. TODAY IS 9/22 AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. WHEN I ASKED DEALER ABOUT BRAKE RECALL, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF IT, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF USA TODAY. I HAVE ASKED FOR A FREE EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THE CAR HAD 5,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED - (IT NOW HAS 18,000+ - SO MY WARRANTY IS FOR 1 YEAR OR 50,000). THEY WILL "GET BACK TO ME" ON IT. SO FAR, I HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD. I TRAVEL ALOT ALONE, AND THE CAR IS MAKING ME UNEASY. MY HUSBAND REFUSES TO DRIVE IT. I BELIEVE THE CAR IS A LEMON! ALSO, WHEN I ARRANGED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WOULD BE A NEW ONE, THEN CALLED ME TO TELL ME IT WAS, IN FACT, A "DEMO" MODEL. IT LOOKS AS IF THEY WERE TRYING TO UNLOAD IT AND I BOUGHT IT! *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION IN 9-04 WHERE MY 2003 MERCEDES (MB) WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME. MY CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME EVEN THOUGH IT WAS TRAVELING ONLY ABOUT 20 MPH AND THAT I APPLIED QUICK, MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. THERE WAS ONE OTHER "CLOSE-CALL" A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WHEN I CALLED THE MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 # AND THE MERCEDES DEALER, BOTH OF THEM DENIED THAT THERE WERE ANY REPORTS OR RECALLS OF BRAKE FAILURE. THEREFORE I WAS DEEMED TO BE AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT AT THAT TIME. WHEN I TOOK MY MB FOR ROUTINE SERVICE IN 2-05, THE TECH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE RECALL AND PROCEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. NOW IN 2-06, I RECEIVED YET ANOTHER BRAKE RECALL (CAMPAIGN # 2005-110001). ONE STATEMENT IN THE RECALL WAS "THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH." MY PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT CONTACTING MB RESULTED IN THEIR REPEATED DENIAL THAT THEY WERE AT FAULT FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE AND THE ACCIDENT. WITH THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AND THE REPEATED NATURE OF THE BRAKE RECALLS, I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD REIMBURSE MYSELF AND OTHERS LIKE ME FOR THE INCREASES IN THE INSURANCE PREMIUM AS WELL AS THE INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. IT IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR THE INTEGRITY OF A RENOWNED CAR COMPANY. *JB

THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY UPON IMPACT. *NM ON AUG 2004 THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE SLID UNDER THE REAR OF A FORD EXCURSION. THE CONSUMERS STOMACH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BRANDING HER STOMACH WITH THE MERCEDES EMBLEM SCALDING HER LEFT ARM. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET ASSISTANCE GETTING OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE SRS SYSTEM IN DEC 2002. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TC

100% BRAKE FAILURE/LOST I LEFT MY OFFICE AT 02:30 AM. 3.5 MILES FROM HOME, AS I'M DRIVING UP HILL APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 55 MILES PER HR TEMP. OF 75 DEGREES DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. I APPROACH ONE OF THE INTERSECTIONS AS I PRESS ON THE BRAKE THERE IS 100% BRAKE FAILURE THE PEDAL FEELS NORMAL NOT HARD NOT SOFT NORMAL, THE WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVATES A RED LETTERING DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOP! VEHICLE BRAKE (SOMETHING) I CANT REMEMBER THE INSTRUCTIONS OTHER THAN STOP VEHICLE BUT I COULD NOT STOP AT ALL. I PROCEEDED TO DOWNSHIFT AND FLICKERING MY HI/LOW BEAMS TO MAKE THE RED LIGHT TURN GREEN WITH SUCCESS IT TURNS GREEN AS I REACHED THE INTERSECTION, SINCE MY CAR WAS GOING UPHILL IT MADE IT EASIER TO COME TO A STOP. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL CONSEQUENCE, PROBABLY DUE TO THE HR. OF THE DAY IT WAS BUT IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT WHAT IF I WAS ON MY WAY DOWN TO WORK @ 8:00 AM. I COULD HAVE KILLED MY SELF MY 3 KIDS OR SOMEONE ELSES FAMILY OR YOURS FOR THAT MATTER. MY VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERS NOW THE LAST REPORT FROM THE ASST. MANAGER IS THAT THE THERE WAS AN ENGINEER BEING SENT FROM MERCEDES BENZ TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *JB

PLEASE SEE PREVIOUSLY FILED REPORT #10083022. ON MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2004, THE BRAKE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED REPORT OCCURRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HOLDING THE CAR AT THE STOP. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR HAD BEEN TAPPED FROM BEHIND, BUT THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME. THE DASH WARNING CAME ON AGAIN SHOWING THE SAME TWO MALFUNCTIONS PREVIOUSLY LISTED AND THE WARNING BEEP SOUNDED. THIS TIME THERE WAS SOME BRAKE ACTION REMAINING IN THE PEDAL. THE CAR BEGAN TO IDLE VERY ROUGHLY, BUT BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME BRAKES LEFT, I DROVE THE CAR FOUR BLOCKS HOME. THE DEALER IS PICKING THE CAR UP...AGAIN. SEE VOQ 10033232 ALSO. *DSY. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE, IT HESITATED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CONTROL MODULAR WAS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE TWICE. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD COME DOWN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NEW BRAKES WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE , AND THEY FAILED WHILE IT WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT GRAB COMPLETELY, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *AK SEE VOQ 10083022, 10086185. *DSY

1- VEHICLE (2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E55) WAS TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH ON GARDEN STATE PARKWAY (NJ). I WAS APPROACHING EXIT 109 WHEN A CAR ENTERING FROM THE RIGHT DECIDED TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, CUTTING ME OFF. *AK 10086185 2- WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS QUICKLY, THE DASH LIT UP RED, A WARNING BEEP CAME ON AND A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE TOLD ME "BRAKE MALFUNCTION-STOP VEHICLE" (A BIT IRONIC, HUH?). THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT TO THE FLOOR. I DOWNSHIFTED TWO GEARS AND TRIED PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT FINALLY HAD TO STOP THE CAR BY DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE. I PULLED THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE DASH SHOWED TWO MALFUNCTIONS, BRAKES AND ESP (TRACTION CONTROL), AND THE WARNING BEEP CONTINUED UNTIL I REMOVED THE KEY. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AS INSTRUCTED BY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, UNTIL FINALLY THE DASH ADVISED "NO MALFUNCTIONS," AND THE PEDAL REGAINED ITS NORMAL FEEL, AT WHICH POINT I DROVE SLOWLY HOME. ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM MY HOUSE THE FAILURE REPEATED ITSELF. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR FROM A WALKING PACE USING ONLY THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITH BOTH FEET ON THE PEDAL AND CONSIDERABLE FORCE APPLIED, THE BRAKES COULD BARELY STOP THE CAR FROM EVEN THAT SPEED. I STOPPED THE CAR AGAIN USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND REPEATED THE TURN IT ON/TURN IT OFF SEQUENCE UNTIL GETTING THE "NO MALFUNCTION" SCREEN AGAIN AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. UPON ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY, I GOT THE FAILURE MESSAGE AGAIN, SLOWED THE CAR IN THE SAME MANNER AS BEFORE AND PARKED IT. 3- THE DEALER PICKED UP THE CAR ON A FLATBED AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE. I ALSO CONTACTED THE NHTSA PRIOR TO ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE TOWED AWAY IN CASE ANY INVESTIGATION NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. ULTIMATELY, THE ABS/ESP CPU WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED ON JULY 27, 2004. COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDER HAVE BEEN FAXED TO SCOTT YON AT NHTSA FOR REVIEW. THE CAR HAS PERFORMED PROPERLY SINCE THE REPAIR.

03 MERCEDES E320 CUSTOMER BELIEVES THAT VEHICLE IS A LEMON**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE IN ACCELERATION MODE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED DEFECTS, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SIGNAL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE WIPER BLADES WERE REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CERTIFIED LTR RE SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION 2004-050014 FOR 2003 E20 MERCEDES SEDAN BRAKING SYSTEM, REQUESTING INVESTIGATION. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ANOTHER MOTORIST VEHICLE BEGAN BOBBING FROM SIDE TO SIDE THEN SUDDENLY JUMPED OVER IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FOLLOWED BY A THICK PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE WHICH RAPIDLY ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S FOOT DEEPLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SIMPLY DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT COLLIDED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AFTER THE ACCIDENT. 04V296000. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER, TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE NEED TO BUY A SPECIAL KIT FOR VEHICLE ALIGNMENT. *AK MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. *LA

THE VEHICLE'S GEAR SHIFT BECAME VERY HOT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE SUN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER BURNED HIS HANDS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. MERCEDES BENZ 2003 E500.....I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND WITHIN 20 FEET, I RECEIVED A WARNING DISPLAY TO STOP VEHICLE, BRAKES INOPERATIVE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR WITH PARKING BRAKE. THIS CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM IS A "BRAKE BY WIRE" TYPE. *JB

I PURCHASED A MERCEDES-BENZ E320 IN JUNE 2003 AND HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE AN ISSUE INVOLVING UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION AND SPEED "SURGES" SINCE SEPTEMBER 2003. THE CONDITION SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS APPROACHING LOW SPEEDS OR IN A DOWNHILL PLANE THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DURING FIVE (5) SERVICE APPOINTMENTS AND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE UNCONTROLLED POWER, OR ACCELERATION, FLUCTUATIONS. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE USING M-B ADVICE; WITHOUT SUCCESS. M-B REPRESENTATIVES HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THIS CONDITION EXISTS AS WELL; BUT, THAT IT IS NOT A "WARRANTABLE DEFECT." THIS "SURGING" HAS FURTHER DEVELOPED INTO "BUCKING" ON SEVERAL OCCCASIONS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA REGARDING THE E320 WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP IS DESCRIBED. I DO BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE POWER / SPEED FLUCTUATIONS OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

I ACQUIRED A 2003 MERCEDES E500 ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I STILL CANNOT ATTACH MY SEATBELT WITHOUT TILTNG THE SEAT BACK AFTER I AM IN THE CAR. I LIKE TO DRIVE IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND THE BELT WILL NO GO IN THE RECEIVER! WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM TO WHICH I SAY A VEHICLE'S BELT SHOULD BE EASILY INSERTED WITHOUT GOING INTO THE CAR AND RECLINING THE SEAT TO INSERT THE BELT AND THEN READJUSTING THE SEAT FOR COMFORT. I ALSO CALLED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND WAS ADVISED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. AN EXTENSION TO THE RECEIVER MIGHT WORK BUT WHATEVER THE ANSWER "I NEED HELP" I CALLED YOUR HOTLINE AND I TOLD SOMEONE THE SAME STORY BUT NO ONE EVER GOT BACK TO ME. *AK

THE PURGE VALUE FOR THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM, MAKES A TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AT IDLE, AS IF THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL. WHEN I TOOK THIS IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE TAPPING NOISE WAS, THEY EXPLAINED THAT A LOUD METAL TAPPING NOISE WAS NORMAL ON THE MERCEDES. THEY STATED THEY WOULD PUT A NEW "PURGE VALUE" IN THE CAR TO SEE IF THAT WOULD QUITE THE LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. UPON DOING SO, THE CAR BEGAN JERKING BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM BECOMES GRADUALLY WORSE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR BEGINS CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE (ABOUT 8-10 MPG), THE CAR WILL ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT AN IDLE STOP AND WILL HESITATE FOR 10-30 SECONDS, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. *LA

DEFECTIVE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL E320. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM MERCEDES BENZ. **CC

MERCEDES E320-ANOTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE SRS-RESTRAINT LIGHT-GATEWAY. MERCEDES CLAIMS REAR AIRBAG PROBLEM, CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BUT IF YOU DIDN'T BUY IT FROM SERVICING DEALER, NO LOANER! MB VEHICLE MOTOR INQUIRY INDICATED CAR WAS NAV PRE-WIRED. PLANNED INSTALLATION WHEN AVAILABLE, NO PREPAY, NOW I'M STUCK WITHOUT NAV, REASON I BOUGHT MB *LA

THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK SYSTEM THAT THEY INSTALLED HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THEY PUT IT ON. WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO COME OUT WITH A GPS AND A VOICE ACTIVATE KIT FOR THE MERCEDES BENZ AND NOW THEY TELL ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT FOR MY CAR SO I WAS LIED TOO . MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES AND STILL NOT FIX AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS LIED TO ME BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THE ITEMS ARE FIX AND TWO DAYS LATER THEY ARE BAD AGAIN . I WILL NOT RECOMMEND MERCEDES BENZ TO ANYONE AS THEY ARE NOT WHAT THEY JUST TO BE. ALSO I WILL NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE AUTOHAUS IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SERVICE MANAGER JERRY ODESSY ONLY LIES TO PEOPLE AS IT DID TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND HE IS ALSO VERY RUDE . I HAVE ALSO E-MAIL THE PRESIDENT OF AUTOHAUS AND HE HAS NEVER RESPONDED AND THE CORPORATE OFFICE IS NOT TO FAR BEHIND ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDENESS . DO NOT BUY MERCEDES THERE ARE A LOT OF BETTER CAR OUT THERE . IF YOU BUY A MERCEDES MAKE SURE YOU CAR WAS NOT IN A FLOOD AS I READ THAT A LOT OF THEIR CARS WERE IN A FLOOD AND THEY ARE SELLING THEM LIKE NOTHING HAPPEND. *JB

I HAD AN ACCIDENT TODAY THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER WHERE ANOTHER CAR CRASHED INTO ME CAUSED CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. THE OTHER CAR WAS GOING AT LEAST 40-50 MPH. THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT AS DAMAGED AS MINE AND NO INJURIES RESULTED YET. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. *NM

REAR FOG LAMPS ON SOME EUROPEAN MANUFACTURED VEHICLES THAT ARE ABOVE THE REAR BUMPER HAS CAUSED CONFUSION AND DISTRACTION TO FOLLOWING DRIVERS. *LA

VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND SLOWS UNEXPECTEDLY. UPON ACCELERATION WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH AS IT IS ABOUT TO STALL.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. *JB

MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS AND SL CLASS 2003 2004 MODELS WITH ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS ARE EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURES, SOMETIMES WITHIN 1000 MILES OF PURCHASE. ELECTRICAL FAILURES CAN LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO REAR BRAKES AND LIMITED USE OF THE FRONT BRAKES! SOME OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUBBER AND ATTACHED WITH HOSE CLAMPS! I HAVE WORKED ON CARS FOR FIFTEEN YEARS AND HAD NOT SEEN A BRAKE FAILURE, BUT HAVE NOW SEEN THREE IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. WHEN THESE VEHICLES AGE, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURES MAY BE POSSIBLE.*AK

WHEN THE CAR WAS TWO MONTHS OLD, 1500 MILES, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT MY BRAKES MAY NOT BE WORKING AND THAT I SHOULD STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. IN FACT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND I HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO KNAUZ MERCEDES IN LAKE BLUFF. THEY STILL HAVE NOT TOLD ME WHAT WENT WRONG BUT SAY THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN NEW PARTS AND THE BRAKES SHOULD BE FINE.

MY 2003 E 320 HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES BECAUSE WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT TIMES IT WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL LIGHT UP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE VEHICLE HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. *PH

THE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500 HAS A FAULTY GATEWAY MODULE AND SOFTWARE. THIS MODULE HAS RESULTED IN PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED IN MY CAR THAT THE BRAKES, SELF RESTRAINT SYSTEM, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE THE SAFTY SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL OR NOT. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT SAYS MY SRS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MERCEDES SHOP NO LESS THAN 3 TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. IT SIMPLY RE-OCCURS AFTER EACH REPAIR. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHT EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE. NAR 07/28/2003*MR *CB

NEW MERCEDES E320 WAS PURCHASED ON MAY 31, 2003 FROM BOBBY RAHAL MOTORCAR COMPANY IN WEXFORD, PA. THE CAR HAS HAD TWO SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITHIN 25 DAYS OF ITS PURCHASE, BOTH BEING SERIOUS AND COULD BE LIFE THREATNING:*AK 1. THE SEAT EASY FUNCTION MALFUNCTIONED. IT PUSHED THE SEAT RIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALMOST CAUSED CHOKING DUE TO PRESSING OF THE CHEST AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL(JUNE 13, 2003) 2. LOST THE PUMP FOR THE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT 35 MILES/HOUR ON A HILLY CURVING ROAD. STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD AND STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT - ALMOST RIGID TO TURN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH OPPOSING INCOMING TRAFFIC ( JUNE 25, 2003) DEALER REPAIRED IT BUT REFUSES TO GIVE ANY ASSURANCE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. WHEN HE WAS SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE CAR FOR SAFETY ISSUES THAT HAD OCCURRED IN 25 DAYS, HE HAD REFUSED.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE NOISE OCCURRED AT LEAST 23 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES. *AK