2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. . MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE MICHELIN TIRE NO. 2255516 MXM4 95V THAT BLEW OUT ON THE SIDEWALL WHILE TRAVELING AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED OF 45 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE TIRE HAD ONLY BEEN USED FOR 30,634 MILES AND THE BLOW OUT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY. THE BLOWOUT OCCURRED AT AN AREA ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE THAT LOOKED LIKE A SEAM WITH THE THREADS SHOWING. BECAUSE THE TIRE FLATTENED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE A THREAT TO LIFE IF THE VEHICLE WERE TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. ALSO, THE MICHELIN TIRE IS GIVE A HIGH CONSUMER RATING AND THIS SHOULD--BY ALL REPORTS--NOT BE HAPPENING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIMELY RESPONSE. *TR

THE ENGINE OF MY CAR STALLED SUDDENLY, BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY. I WAS ABOUT TO GET INTO A SERIOUS CRASH BUT LIKELY THIS HAPPENED IN A LOCAL STREET AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN EVERYONE WAS READY TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. MY DEALER TOLD ME THE ENGINE STALLED DUE TO A BROKEN VACUUM INTAKE MANIFOLD LINKAGE WHICH CONTROLS AIR IN AND OUT IN THE SYSTEM. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MANIFOLD ($2100) AND MERCEDES BENZ DOES NOT OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS COMPONENT. I WAS SURPRISED WITH THE QUALITY OF MB ESPECIALLY WHEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT HUNDREDS WITH THE SAME INCIDENT AND WITH MANY UNPLEASANT CUSTOMERS. THE BROKEN INTAKE MANIFOLD LINKAGE IS 100% DESIGN ISSUE. MY CAR HAS 107K MILES, I HAD MY EXTENDED WARRANTY UP UNTIL 100K, SO I CAN'T BELIEVE THESE 7K MILES CAUSED THIS LINKAGE TO BE BROKEN. IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE (PROBABLY CHEAP PLASTIC PART THAT AGED OVER TIME). MB HAD SEVERAL EXTENDED WARRANTY ON OTHER MAJOR COMPONENTS SUCH AS: GAS TANK ($2,400) AND SBC PUMP ($2,000) DUE TO FATAL INCIDENTS, SO I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE IN CAR CRASHES BEFORE MB OFFERS THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM SAYING THIS ABOUT MB QUALITY, BUT JUST GO ONLINE AND YOU WILL FIND OUT MORE AND MORE ABOUT THESE ISSUES. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS COMPONENT IS THE FACT THAT IT IS UNPREDICTABLE BECAUSE IT DEPENDS ON THE POSITION OF THESE FLABS (CLOSED, SEMI OPENED, OPENED POSITION). WHICH MAKES IT SCARY TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN YOU KNOW THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND IT COULD IMPACT YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF YOUR BELOVED ONES AND PROBABLY OTHERS WHO WOULD BE DRIVING AROUND YOU.

I AM REPORTING A VERY SERIOUS, DISTURBING, SHOCKING AND TRAGIC ACCIDENT ON 9/12/2015 ON RANDALL ROAD IN ELGIN, IL USA AT 2:35 PM JUST AFTER BIG TIMBER ROAD SIGNAL.MY SOUTHBOUND 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350 CAR WAS HIT BY THE HIGH SPEED OUT OF CONTROL NORTHBOUND 2014 TOYOTA COROLLA, WHICH HAD CROSSED/SWERVED THE CENTER LINE AND RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION/CRASH.....UPDATED 10-27-15 *BF *JS

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING GASOLINE FOR MONTHS NOW ON THE EXTERIOR OF MY CAR, ON 9/9/15 I STARTED THE CAR DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I HAD IT TOWED TO MERCEDES WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK INSTALLED FOR 3600.00. I ASKED ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION REGARDING FUEL TANKS AND THEY TOLD ME IT ONLY APPLIES TO VEHICLES WITH PLASTIC GAS TANKS? I HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION 6800 AND THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE 4400 AND NOW THIS. MB NEEDS TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR IN FULL. PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU *TR

FILLED UP GAS TANK MONDAY EVENING AND PARKED IN GARAGE.I WOKE UPTO VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS-FUMES IN MY GARAGE .TOOK IT TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP I GO TO.WRITTEN DIAGNOSIS GIVEN.TECH FOUND FUEL SENDER ON THE DRIVER SIDE TO BE CRACKED LEAKING FUEL.TECH RECOMMENDED REPLACING FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE APPROACHED A RAMP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. MESSAGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED THAT READ "REDUCED BRAKE PRESSURE AND DEPRESS BRAKE FULLY", "TRACTION CONTROL", "ABS", AND "CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS". IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN HOME. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFILLING THE FUEL TANK. THE ODOR SUBSIDED AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR SOME DISTANCE THEREBY LOWERING THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK. I TELL MY DAUGHTER TO FILL THE TANK TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL TO AVOID THE ODOR. THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG WHEN WE PARK THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE AND THANKS BE TO GOD THAT WE DON'T SMOKE. WE PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE WHEN MY DAUGHTER COME HOME. SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON FUEL FILTER/SENDER, CRACKS IN THE PRESSURIZED OUTLET FITTING OF THE FUEL FILTER/SENDER. WILL YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS SITUATION AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

WHILE DRIVING I GOT THIS WARNING " BRAKE SERVICE BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP.(COLOR BLACK)" I WENT TO A CERTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ SHOP AND GOT A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS STATING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE POWER SUPPLY ACCUMULATION OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER, I NEVER RECEIVED FROM MERCEDES-BENZ A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM.

STEPPED INTO MY 2006 E55 AMG IN THE MORNING TO A STRONG FUEL ODOR, DROVE THE CAR A FEW MILES, STILL SMELLED THE FUEL. WHEN I CAME HOME I JUMPED ON TO THE COMPUTER AND SEARCHED ON GOOGLE ABOUT FUEL ODER INSIDE W211 CHASSIS CARS. FOUND A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME SYMPTOMS, CONFIRMED BY LIFTING UP REAR SEATS TO FIND FUEL PUDDLE UNDER THE SEAT CUSHION BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CUSHION, SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL AND WIRES WERE ALL WET FROM FUEL. IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES AT FOOTHILL RANCH IN CA, AND THEY STATED THERE IS A OPEN RECALL AND WARRANTY EXTENSION. HOPING TO GET THIS FIXED.

VEHICLE WENT INTO LOW GEAR UNSUSPECTINGLY, AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT AND WARNING. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 30MPH VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO HIGHER GEAR. VEHICLE IS PARKED AND VEHICLE IS STILL STRUCK IN LOW GEAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF LOWER GEAR.I NOTICE YOU HAVE A RECALL ITEM LI27-22 COMPONET 103700 POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER 6-29-11 NHTSA ITEM 10038976 AND ONE DATED BY NHTSA DATED 7-24-14 COMPONENT 103000POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ITEM#10056470

I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES FROM MY HOME TO MY WORK ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 10 IN THE WEST OF LOS ANGELES. I WAS GOING TO EXIT FROM THE I-10 TO ALAMEDA EXIT, I SAW WHITE FUME COMING UP FROM THE VENTILATION ON HOOD AND THE GAS SMELL START TO COME INTO INSIDE AND I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS WHILE TAKING EXIT AND PARKING TO A SPACE OF TRUCK WASH PLACE AT 1630 MCGARRY ST LOS ANGELES, CA 90021. AS SOON AS I ARRIVE THE TRUCK WASH PLACE, STRONG FLAME AND GAS STARTED FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I ASKED HELP FROM THE TRUCK WASH PEOPLE AND THE CAME WITH WATER HOSE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO CEASE THE FIRE. AFTER STOP THE FIRE I FOUND THE FUEL LINE WAS DISCONNECTED ON THE TOP ABOVE ENGINE AT DRIVER SIDE. THERE WAS NOT TEAR OR WARE AS THE CAR WAS IN THE W I SIMONSON MERCEDES BENZ ON THE DATE OF JUNE 1, 2015, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY A FLETBED TO THE W. I. SIMONSON AT 1330 COLORADO AVE, SANTA MONICA, CA 90404 [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

THIS IS SECOND REPORT REGARDING TO THE TRACKING NUMBER 10745880. AS W. W. SIMONSON MERCEDES AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP SERVICE ADVISOR YAHOUM MOE CALLED ME TO PRESENT A QUOTE FOR REPAIR , I VISITED THE SHOP ON AUGUST 4, 2015. THE RO NUMBER 360666 FOR THE QUOTE AMOUNT IS $8608.50. EVEN IF THE FIRE DAMAGE IS VERY SIGNIFICANT, THE SERVICE ADVISOR DID NOT EXPLAIN ME THE CAUSE REASON OF FIRE AND ABNORMAL DISCONNECTION OF FUEL LINE, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE DRIVER SIDE AND ISOLATED FROM THE ENGINE, FOR THE LEAKAGE OF GASOLINE TO FIRE.

THIS REPORT IS AN ADDITIONAL INSPECTION REPORT FOR ODI NUMBER 10745880 ON 07/28/2015. I ATTACHED A PDF REPORT FOR YOUR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

ENGINE JERKS AND SPUTTERS WHILE DRIVING. I APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATELY. CANNOT DRIVE OVER 25 MPH OR GO UP HILLS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,700.

FOR SEVERAL TIMES NOW I CAN SMELLING A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, EVEN MORE SO AFTER PUMPING GAS ON THE CAR. SOMETIMES I CAN SEE A SMALL LEAK INTO THE PARKING SPACE.

I FOUND FUEL (GAS) THERE IS A SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE CAR WHEN TAKE A GAS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER NEEDED TO BE RECODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,934.

AFTER FILLING UP THE CAR WITH GASOLINE, I CAN SMELL THE DISTINCT ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AROUND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AREA (DRIVER'S SIDE). I BELIEVE THAT FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL FILTER SENDER UNIT, WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE BACKSEAT. A NEW STORY SHOWING THE PROBLEM IS HERE: HTTP://WWW.WSBTV.COM/NEWS/NEWS/LOCAL/MERCEDES-OWNERS-FIND-GASOLINE-POOLING-BACKSEAT/NDBZM/. MERCEDES IS REPLACING THESE COMPONENTS AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA13003. I WENT TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP (DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES MOTORS) AND SHOWED THE SERVICE CONSULTANT A PRINT OUT OF NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA13003. HE EXPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THIS ACTION NUMBER. I CALLED MERCEDES CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SENDER UNIT THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA13003, SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MERCEDES IS CLAIMING MY VEHICLE IS EXEMPT FROM THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FIX. I WOULD LIKE MERCEDES TO REPLACE THE SENDER UNIT AND ANY COMPONENTS THAT ARE LEAKING GASOLINE.

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

THE E350 MERCEDES BENZ HAS A DEFECTED SEAL GASKET ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED, FUMES AND GAS WILL EXIT THIS OPENING IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND MERCEDES BENZ HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DEFECT IN THEIR TANKS AND THE SUIT HAS BEEN SETTLED. THE BENZ DEALERS WILL NOT HONOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE IT IS NOT VIN SPECIFIC AND STATES THE MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. THE MERCEDES BENZ HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PURPOSE AND IT STATES THESE DETAILS IN THEIR LETTER TO ALL BENZ OWNERS. THE LETTER STATES ALL YEARS 2004 TO 2009 E350 VEHICLES BUT DOES NOT GIVE VIN DETAILS. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT MY NEXT STEP WILL BE. THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA13003 WHICH EXPLAINS IN DETAILS WHAT THIS VEHICLE DEFECT IS AND HOW MERCEDES BENZ WILL REPAIR AS AN EXTENSION OF WARRANTY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE TRUNK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CATASTROPHIC SBC SYSTEM FAILURE. DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 65 MPH SUDDENLY BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT ALL, DASHBOARD TURNED RED WITH THE MESSAGE SBC FAILURE, DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL IN FULL, BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER AT ALL. COASTED, TOOK THE NEAREST EXIT AND COULD TOW THE CAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY. NOT A GOOD EXPERIENCE TO DISCOVER YOU HAVE NO BRAKES ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR IS IN A MECHANIC SHOP NOW, REPAIR WILL COST OVER $ 2000. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM IS A FAILURE, MB DISCONTINUED IT AND WENT BACK TO THE TRADITIONAL HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. MB SHOULD HAD MADE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS THEY ARE AWARE AND IT IS A FAILURE THAT CAN NOT BE PREDICTED, MAINTENANCE OR AGE APPARENTLY HAVE NO INFLUENCE ON THE PART FAILING OTHERWISE MB WOULD INCLUDE THE PART'S REPLACEMENT AS PART OF A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME. *TR

I AM A DISABLED VETERAN AND ON APRIL 30, 2015 MY CAR SMELLED LIKE GAS. MERCEDES BENZ USA SAID TO TAKE IT TO NEAREST DEALER ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS IN GWINNETT COUNTY, GA. THE PROBLEM: LEAKING FUEL TANK, IT TOOK 120 DAYS TO REPLACE THE TANK. THE CAR STILL SMELLS LIKE GAS, THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED REPLACE THE SEAT CUSHIONS, AND THE FELT. BOTH ARE WET FROM GAS, AND HAS GAS VAPORS ON IT. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME HOW TO LIFT UP THE SEATS, AND I TOOK PICTURES OF THE WET SEAT CUSHIONS, AND THE WET FELT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $565.00. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT I DID NOT CAUSE; THIS WAS CAUSED BY A LEAKING FUEL TANK. MY THROAT BURNS FROM THE GAS SMELLS, MY EYES WATER, AND I'M GETTING HEADACHES. PART OF MY DISABILITY IS ASTHMA AND THE FUMES IN THIS CAR EXACERBATES THE ASTHMA. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ USA AND THEY SAID UNFORTUNATELY THEY COVERED JUST THE PART! THIS IS HORRIBLE, AND DANGEROUS TO RIDE AROUND WITH WET SEAT CUSHIONS WITH GAS ON THEM. I CANT BELIEVE MERCEDES IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS A FIRETRAP AND THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE SEAT CUSHIONS AND FELT AT NO COST TO ME THE CONSUMER!

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. *TR

DURING RENEWAL OF HEADLAMP BULBS I FOUND THAT INSULATION HAD BROKEN OFF LEAVING SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF BARE CONDUCTORS. WIRES ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER AND IF THEY TOUCH THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF LIGHTING OR ELECTRICAL FIRE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD, IT LIKECOULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC CRASH. THIS IS COMMONLY DISCUSSED BY OWNERS IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ FORUMS. I AM SURPRISED THAT MERCEDES HAS NOT BEEN FORCED TO RECALL W211S FROM 2003 TO 2009 MODEL YEARS. *TR

2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500 - I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. OUTSIDE OF THE CAR YOU COULD SMELL GAS COMING FROM THE REAR END UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. INSIDE OF THE CAR IT WAS COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT AREA. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE OFFICE WHICH THEN DIRECTED MY CALL TO CUSTOMER CARE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REFER ME TO A AUTHORIZED MB DEALER, AND THEIR WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE DEALER THEY REFERRED ME TO WAS WALTER'S MERCEDES BENZ IN RIVERSIDE CA. I TOOK IT IN AND, I RECEIVED A CALL THE NEXT MORNING STATING IT WAS MY FUEL FILTER & SENSOR. THEY ALSO FOUND A SMALL OIL LEAK. FYI I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY OIL LEAKAGE FROM MY CAR. THEN WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALLS AND IT WOULD COST ME $790 FOR THE FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT AND $1300 FOR THE OIL SEAL REPLACEMENT. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN #2008-020001. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE 8,000 VEHICLES EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL, EVEN THOUGH ITS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I PROCEEDED TO LOOK ONLINE WHERE I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS MENTION A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE FUEL TANK. I CALLED MB CUSTOMER CARE AND ASKED THEM FOR A COPY OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY EMAILED ONE. IN THIS LETTER IT STATES AS ONE OF THE PARTS COVERED IS THE FUEL FILTER/SENDER. I MENTIONED THAT TO WALTER'S MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY SAID THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER MY REPAIR. IT'S VERY EVIDENT THAT MERCEDES BENZ AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT HONORING THESE SO CALLED VOLUNTARY AND EXTENDED WARRANTIES. I REFUSED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AND NOW MY CAR SITS IN MY GARAGE. AFTER BRINGING IT BACK FROM THE DEALER THERE IS NOW OIL LEAKAGE! I NEVER HAD ANY OIL LEAKING UNTIL I TOOK IT TO WALTER'S MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP. *TR

I WAS FIRST OWNER OF THIS BENZ 2006 E350. IT WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. I TYPICALLY PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE GARAGE. HOWEVER, AFTER I MOVED THE CAR INSIDE MY GARAGE A FEW DAYS AGO, I SMELLED GAS. SO I LIFTED UP 2ND ROW SEAT, UNCOVERED THE COVERING-PIECE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, I SAW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH TWO CONNECTORS, ONE FOR SENSOR AND ONE FOR POWER SUPPLY. I SAW THE AREA AROUND POWER CONNECTOR IS WET. IT SMELLS GAS. OBVIOUSLY, THE GAS LEAK WAS FROM THE TOP OF FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM (OR TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING). I'M GLAD I DID THIS INVESTIGATION TONIGHT. I PLAN TO SEE A BENZ DEALER TOMORROW IN LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA, WHERE THE DEALER TOLD ME IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN AFTER I HOLD HIM THAT MY E350 IS UNDER BENZ 2006 - PZEV 15 YEARS OR 150,000 MI EMISSION RELATED WARRANTY. *TR

WE, MY WIFE AND 3 SON'S WERE COMING DOWN FROM BIG BEAR WHEN IT STARTED SNOWING. SNOW GOT HEAVY AND I WAS APPROACHING A SHARP CURVE SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 8MILES MADE THE TURN ND SLOWLY PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDDLE, THE RPMS WENT UP BUT THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO STOP PUT THE CAR IN PARK THEN TURN IT OF, TURN IT BACK ON, PUT IT IN GEAR AND ACCELERATE SLOWLY. AS I LOOKED IN THE SIDE MIRRORS, I NOTICED CARS SKIDDING SIDEWAYS AND SOME HITTING THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, THERE WAS A LARGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IN BACK OF ME SO IT HID THE MAKE OF MY CAR AND LICENSE PLATE.THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE BUT THE RPMS REV UP. ALSO IN THE MORNINGS WHEN I GO TO WORK THE CAR DOWN SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD, SEEMS THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BREAK ALONG WITH MY COLLARBONE. PLEASE SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOW ABOUT THE DEFECTS PLEASE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE. *TR

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER REFILLING THE TANK. ODOR WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE THEREBY LOWERING THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK. M-B OF TAMPA AND MB OF USA REFUSED TO MAKE WARRANTY REPAIR FUEL LEAKAGE PROBLEM DUE MY PZEV VEHICLE (WITH OPTION 917) WAS SOLD IN FLORIDA (NOT IN 10 STATES WHICH HAVE "0 EMISSION REQUIREMENTS"). AS PER SUMMARY OF O.D.I. "IN LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2014, MERCEDES HAS NOTIFIED AGENCY (ODI NHTSA) THAT IT WILL EXTEND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 15 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON "COVERED FUEL TANK COMPONENTS" IN E-CLASS VEHICLES IN MY 2003-2009 AND CLS-CLASS VEHICLES IN MY 2006-2011." LOOKS-LIKE MERCEDES DROPPED OUT OF THE GENERAL LIST OF THE MY 2003 THROUGH 2009 E-CLASS ALL PZEV VEHICLES (WITH OPTION 917) MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT SOLD TO CUSTOMERS BY M-B OFFICIAL DEALERS IN THE STATES, WHICH DO NOT HAVE "0-EMISSION" REQUIREMENTS. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STRONG FUMES WERE EXTREME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OR THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE REAR WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE IN FIRST THROUGH FOURTH GEARS SUCCESSFULLY. AS SOON AS THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO FIFTH GEAR, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM, SBC SYSTEM. SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING. *TR

THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS (MBEC) BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER'S AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT WHICH CAUSES THIS VEHICLE TO NOT GO INTO PROPER GEAR AND/OR STALL SUDDENLY PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK. I BARELY ESCAPED BEING SMASHED INTO BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE MAKING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN INTO A GAS STATION BECAUSE MY MBEC WAS STUCK IN GEAR AND DID NOT ACCELERATE AS IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND DESIGNED TO DO BUT RATHER SPUTTERED AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR (MPH). THE ONLY REASON I WAS NOT T-BONED AND LIKELY SERIOUSLY INJURED ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE WAS BECAUSE THE OTHER DRIVERS SWERVED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAUSING THOSE DRIVERS TO ALSO SWERVE. MIRACULOUSLY NO ONE WAS INJURED, THIS TIME. ALSO, THE REASON WHY I WAS TURNING INTO THE GAS STATION WAS BECAUSE I WAS FORCED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE MY MBEC WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR AFTER I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS APPROACHING RED-LINING AT AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE ENGINE MIGHT BLOW. THE TIPTRONIC ALSO FAILED DURING THIS MALFUNCTION. I HAD THE AUTHORIZED MB DEALER THAT I HAVE USED SINCE I PURCHASED MY MBEC PICKUP MY VEHICLE TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND MY ADVISOR TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW BALANCE SHAFT BECAUSE THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE HAD PREMATURELY WORN (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALWAYS STRINGENTLY FOLLOWED MY MB ADVISOR'S SUGGESTIONS) AND IT WOULD COST ROUGHLY $6,500. S/HE ALSO SAID THIS OCCURS IN ROUGHLY 15-20% OF '06 MBEC. BUT MB WOULD NOT FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT UNLESS I PAID. WORSE YET, MY ADVISOR NEVER MADE ME AWARE OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH S/HE PREVIOUSLY KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN AND AS A RESULT PUT THE PUBLIC AT RISK BY NOT ENABLING ME TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY MODEL YEAR VEHICLE UNTIL THE OCCURRENCE OF A NEAR CATASTROPHE. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL NOW THAT THIS SAFETY DEFECT HAS COME TO LIGHT AND UNLESS THERE IS, THE PUBLIC WILL REMAIN AT SERIOUS RISK. *TR

NOTICED GAS LEAKING ONTO REAR TIRE DURING REFUELING. DEALER DROPPED TANK AND FOUND LEAKING FUEL TANK NECK. *TR

CARS WILL NOT SHIFT. IT WONT GO PASS 3RD GEAR AND ALMOST CRASHED. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND PER DEALER, CAR IS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT NOT RECALL. HAD TO PAY OVER $4000 TO GET THE CAR FIXED

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. MERCEDES HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A TO NATHANIEL HAYES AT DOT.GOV WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 10/6/2015*JS

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

WE HAVE FELT A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE, AFTER REFUELING AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. IT IS AN ONGOING ODOR NOW, EVEN AFTER A FEW DAYS. IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE A SERIOUS ISSUE WHEN THERE IS FUEL INVOLVED. *JS

GEARING MECHANISM SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, RESTARTED AND THEN CAR MOVED FORWARD WITH A VERY JERKY MOTION SITUATION POSED A DANGEROUS HAZARD TO PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. *TR

STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PERIMETER OF THE AUTOMOBILE AFTER A GAS TANK FILL UP. SMELLS GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING 40-50 MILES. I HAVE BEEN REFUELING AT ABOUT 80% CAPACITY TO MITIGATE THE SITUATION.

GAS LEAKING CANNOT BE FIXED MIGHT LEAD TO FIRE OR EXPLOSION BECAUSE OF GAS EVAPORATED STRONGER DAY AFTER DAY. *TR

THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. TRIED CALLING MERCEDES AND THEY SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WE HAVE IS NOT ONE THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ACCORDING TO THE VIN. *TR