2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. WHEN DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH AND HIGHER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD "METAL TO METAL" NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. FOUR YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN WHO REPLACED THE BUSHINGS FOR THE SECOND TIME AS WELL AS THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT FAILED AND WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS TO THE SEAT WERE MADE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE FOR HIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL ALSO FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB BUT TO NO AVAIL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN, IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the moonroof made an abnormal sound and failed to open properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the moonroof was permanently sealed. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility) and the dealer confirmed that the VIN was included in the recall; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure was unrelated to the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE CRASHED INTO A TREE THAT HAD FALLEN IN THE STREET. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HE SUFFERED FOUR BROKEN BONES AS A RESULT; THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DESTROYED. HE WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE SECONDARY THRESHOLDS WERE NOT EXCEEDED TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN UPDATED 06/11/10.*JB

ENGINE HARNESS AND CAMSHAFT SOLENOIDS CONTAMINATED DUE TO LEAKING OIL WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF O2 SENSORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WHICH CAUSED HER HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A HEAD INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF

C230K COUPE AT 73,000 MILES WITH SUDDEN VALVE GUIDES WORN BAD CYLINDER,COMPRESSION LOSS RECENTLY IN APRIL I WAS CALLED INTO MBZ FOR A RECALL ON A VACUUM HOSE, HERE I AM A FEW MONTHS LATER AND I'M DRIVING AND MY CAR STARTS SHAKING ,IDLING STRANGE AND THEN I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE FIGURED IT AT FIRST GLANCE IT MAY BE WORN VALVE GASKET SEALS AND I SAID OK LET'S CHANGE THEM AND PUT IN NEW PLUGS TOO...THEN HE CHECKS THE COMPRESSION AND DISCOVERS THAT IT IS HALF OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE, WHAT? WHY SHOULD THE CYLINDER HEADS BE WORN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR NEARLY $3000, ...THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TOO MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL ON HERE AND MBZFORUMS FOR THIS 2003-2005 YEARS. LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS. THIS SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY MBZ AS A DEFECT AND SINCE WHEN DO THESE ENGINES FAIL AT 50,000OR EVEN 80,000? I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY THEM, THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT THIS MILEAGE!! DEFECT,FLAW IN DESIGN...THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND ADMIT IT AT MERCEDES HEADQUARTERS. PLEASE HELP US OWNERS , THEY ARE GETTING AWAY WITH THIS, MENTIONING VACUUM HOSE RECALLS ON THIS 2003 YEAR BUT SOME DEALERS HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT THESE ENGINES ARE DEFECTIVE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THESE VALVE GUIDES/CYLINDER HEADS. WHY IS IT THAT THERE IS AN INCONSISTENCY ON HOW THIS PROBLEM IS RECOGNIZED BY THE DEALER AND HANDLED. SOME ON THE FORUMS HAVE SAID THAT THE DEALER SCREWED THEM IF THE 50,000 WARRANTY IS OVER AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THE PARTS ONLY PAID FOR BY THE DEALER AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THE WHOLE THING PAID!! TOO MANY OF THESE C230K ENGINE CYLINDERS/VALVE GUIDES ARE GOING BAD, THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND MBZ SHOULD BE CORRECTING THIS. I SHOULD NOT PAY $3000 TO REBUILD ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ON SCHEDULE AND FOR A CAR THAT IS AT ONLY 73,000 MILES THANKS *TR

JUST LIKE OTHER REPORTS HERE - ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. 50K MILES. TOOK TO MB DEALER FOR ROUGH IDLE AT COLD START UP AND LOW SPEEDS; LOUDER THAN NORMAL IDLE AT START AND IN REVERSE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO ERROR OR PROBLEM INDICATED IN DASH AT ALL. SAME DIAGNOSIS - DEALER REPORTED CAM SOLENOIDS LEAKING ENGINE OIL INTO THE WIRING HARNESS SHORTING HARNESS COMPONENTS (O2 SENSORS ETC.), HIGH $$$ $3600-$4000 REPAIR. ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED AND PAID FOR BY MB SINCE THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT THAT SEVERELY REDUCES THE DRIVE-ABILITY AND VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

1. THE HEADLIGHT CANNOT BE TURN ON AS I DROVE INTO A 1-MILE DARK TUNNEL IN US WEST. 2. IT PERSISTS FOR ABOUT 1-DAYS DURING A TRIP TO THE US WEST IN THE DRY HEAT ENVIRONMENT. AFTER THAT, THE HEADLIGHT WORK NORMAL AGAIN AS I CAME BACK TO CALIFORNIA. 3. NOTHING HAS BEING DONE SINCE THEN SINCE I WILL PROBABLY NOT DRIVE TO US WEST IN THE VISIBLE NEAR FUTURE. THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN MY CAR. *TR

ON A 2003 C 320 MBNZ, THE RADIATOR NOW LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED AND FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE FLUSHED. THIS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID COULD HAVE ALREADY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, AND IF SO, IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES A LACK OF POWER AND THEREFORE A LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, OFTEN LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER, A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LEAD TO ROUGH IDLING AND INABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE. 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230 WITH 61,650 MILES ON IT. ALL CAM SENSORS, O2 SENSORS, MAF SENSOR, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED WITH NECESSARY O-RINGS AT DEALER. CAR WAS LAID UP 5 DAYS AND AT A COST OF $2,500. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING AND DAMAGED THE WIRING HARNESS AND OXYGEN SENSOR. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,000. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR SEDAN. TODAY MY REAR DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF WHILE IN THE CAR. I CLOSED IT AND IT OPENED AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, SINCE IT CAN OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. *TR

2003 MERCEDES C240 STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROLONGED TURNPIKE TRAVEL ( 1.5 HOURS) AT EXIT RAMP TO AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. THIS INCREASES REAREND ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. MERCEDES CHECKED VEHICLE BUT NO REPORT CODES INDICATED. SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE COMPUTER OF SENSOR RELATED. MERCEDES SUGGESTED PULLING OVER FOR 30 MIN. TO LET COMPUTER RESET. FIRST INCIDENT 12/17/08 SECOND INCIDENT 12/28/08. *TR

MY 2003 C240 MERCEDES PILOT BUSHING IS EXPERIENCING HEAVY OIL LEAK - THERE IS A CURRENT RE-CALL ON SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS. THE DEALER I USE TO SERVICE MY CARE, REFUSE TO REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SAID MY MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RE-CALL. 2ND ISSUE - MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECTS . SOMETIMES HARD TO OPEN AND HAVE TO USE OTHER DOOR TO GET INTO CAR, DEALER REFUSE TO REPLACE THE DEFECT HANDLE WITH GOOD HANDLE. *TR

CAR SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T ADJUST WITH THE KEY PUT IN THE IGNITION..THIS WENT ON FOR THREE DAYS...THEN THE CAR DIED..HAD TO GET A JUMP..THE SERVICE REP SAYS THE MODEL# 320 C HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MODULE FAILING ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE..WHEN THE CAR WAS JUMPED ALL ELECTRICAL WAS WORKING PROPERLY AND FIND...TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT YES THE PASSENGER SEAT MODULE WAS BAD AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW BATTERY..THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT MODULE COULD GO OUT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS...THE CAR ONLY HAS 13,703 MILES ON IT AND THIS PROBLEM IS BEEN KNOWN TO MB USA YET IS NOT ADDRESSED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR DAYS LATER. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THAT THE SRS CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT IF THE SRS CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT REPAIRED, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,704.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE O2 SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CAM SENSOR LEAKED AND PUSHED OIL INSIDE THE HARNESS AND NOW THERE IS OIL FLOWING IN THE HARNESS. THIS MEANS EVERYWHERE THERE IS A CONTACT OF THE HARNESS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THERE IS OIL ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME A COMMON ISSUE NOW AND MERCEDES IS IGNORING IT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM GETTING BAD MILEAGE BECAUSE OF THE BAD O2 SENSOR. THE IRONY IS THAT THE DEALER WILL FIX IT WITH THE SAME EXACT PART NUMBER ONLY TO HAVE IT LEAK AGAIN IN 4 YEARS. *TR

DURING THE FIVE YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS ALL FUNCTION OF THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. SEAT CONTROLS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY STILL OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THERE IS A SHORT SOMEPLACE, AND THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY CAN'T FIX IT IF THEY CAN'T SEE IT. *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON, THE NEXT DAY I GO TO INDEPENDENT MERCEDES SHOP. THEY TELL ME MY O2 SENSORS ARE BAD. THE REASON THAT THEY ARE BAD BECAUSE OF THE CAM SENSOR AT THE TOP END OF THE MOTOR WAS LEAKING. THE WHOLE TIME IT WAS LEAKING I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW. THEN THE BAD NEW EVERYTHING HAS BEEN COATED IN OIL SUCH AS O2 SENSORS THAT IS IT GIVES OUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE ENGINE HARNESS IS ALSO COATED IN OIL. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WITH OCCASIONAL POOR GAS MILEAGE, ROUGH RUNNING. WHEN ENGINE STARTS ROUGH, ENGINE STOP/RE-START GETS ENGINE TO IDLE/RUN PROPERLY. DEALER REPORTED CAM SOLENOIDS LEAKING ENGINE OIL INTO THE WIRING HARNESS SHORTING HARNESS COMPONENTS (O2 SENSORS ETC.), HIGH $$$ REPAIR. FIRST OCCURRENCE AT 57K MILES (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY). CONTACTED MB, NO CONCERN, TOO BAD FOR YOU. SPORADIC RED LED WARNING ABOUT GAS CAP, BLINKING INDICATOR IN FUEL GAUGE, STOP/RESTART ENGINE, GOES AWAY (ERROR NOT IN OWNERS MANUAL). CAR STILL RUNNING AT 78K MILES AND USUALLY 35 MPG DURING NORMAL COMMUTE SO FAR (WITHOUT REPAIR SO FAR, DO NOT HAVE TAIL PIPE EMISSION CHECK IN AREA YET, SO NOT MANDATED TO FIX MIL LIGHT ISSUE), CLEAR ECM CODES OCCASIONALLY, COME BACK AFTER 3 KEY CYCLES. STUCK WITH CAR THAT IS NOT WORTH FIXING TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM COME BACK. THIS CAM SOLENOID/WIRING HARNESS/O2 SENSOR/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED AND PAID FOR BY MB SINCE THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT THAT SEVERELY REDUCES THE DRIVABLILTY AND VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

CAMSHAFT MAGNET LEAKING PUSHING OIL THROUGH ENGINE HARNESS" HARNESS, ECU, O2 SENSORS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $3,700. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230K. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE BRAKES ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE HAND BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING BECAME DAMAGED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SPINDLE. THE BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,500. UPDATED 4/21/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL COSTS INCURRED DUE TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 04/21/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. SOMETIMES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WOULD FAIL AND NOT RESTART. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE PCV HOSE. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $404.27. THE SAME DAY THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT FAILED WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $389.82. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,022 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,646. UPDATED 05/05/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/05/08 *JB

I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES C240 STATION WAGON WITH ABOUT 42000 MILES, A FEW DAYS AGO I OBSERVED SOME MESSAGES ON DASH WHICH SEEM TO INDICATE ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN HEAVILY USED AND I AM SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT A NEW ALTERNATOR MAY BE NEEDED, THIS BECAUSE A FRIEND WITH C CLASS SEDAN HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE JUST 2 WEEKS AGO AND COST HIM $1500 TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR & BATTERY. I BELIEVE THERE MAY BE MANY MORE FOLKS THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION AND PROBABLY THE C CLASS MERCEDES ARE OUTFITTED WITH FAULTY ALTERNATORS AND INVESTIGATION MAY BE IN ORDER HERE. *JB

THIS HAPPENED IN MY 2003 C320 AT 54,000 MILES. I INITIALLY NOTICED A LIGHT RUBBING OR GRINDING WHILE ACCELERATING, WITH LIGHT VIBRATION. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, NEW RADIATOR, AND A FLUID FLUSH. THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER THOSE REPAIRS, MY C320 WAS STILL SHIFTING HARD AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS STILL THERE. IT TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS WELL. TWO REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS WERE NEEDED UNTIL IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MIXED FLUIDS ARE NOT UNCOMMON IN THIS MODEL AND YET MBUSA HAS MADE VERY LITTLE EFFORT TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. *TR

2003 MERCEDES C230- PURCHASED NEW- BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAVE FOLLOWED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM RELIGIOUSLY. LAST B SERVICE WAS DEC 4TH-$900.00 ON DEC 27- CAR COMPLETELY DIED & SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK- COOLANT LIGHT ON. TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALER- THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHY IT HAPPENED BUT- THE SPARK PLUGS SOAKED W/COOLANT, #2 PLUG SMASHED ON TOP, #2 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE BENT & BROKEN. #2 &4 PISTONS DAMAGED. EVEN THOUGH EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UP- MERCEDES WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE CAR- SAY CAN NOT PIN POINT A MFG DEFECT EVEN THOUGH THIS RARELY HAPPENS EVEN WITH HIGH MILES- MERCEDES BENZ USUALLY CAN GET WELL OVER 200,000 MILES. NOW COST IS $8,000 TO PUT IN REBUILT MOTOR OR $11,000 TO REPAIR DAMAGED ONE- SOMETHING HAD TO CAUSE THIS- THERE WERE POSTS ON YOUR SITE FROM 2003 REGARDING ENGINE & COOLING ISSUES BUT COULD NOT FIND MORE DETAILED INFO- NHTSA ITEM# 10002965- DO YOU HAVE MORE INFO OR GIVE ME ADVICE? *JB

THE 2003 MERCERDES BENZ 300C ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING IT TO WORK. THE CAR STALLED, FLAMES SHOOT OUT THE FRONT HOOD, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, SO I COASTED TO THE FIRM. I OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE BLUE FLAMES SHOOPT 20 FEET IN THE AIR. A PASSERBY TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRWE UNSUCESSFULLY WITH A FIRE EXTIQUISHER. THE FLAMES GOT HOTTER AND SHOT 60 FEET IN THE AIR, AND POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND WERE FINALLY ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE . THE ENGINE BLOCK MELTED DOWN ,AND THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE BURNT INTO THE PASENGER SPACE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I WROTE MERCEDES BENZ, AND THEY WERE BEING NONRESPONSIVE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE MELTED ENGINE BLOCK AND THE LARGE HOLE BURNED INTO THE PASENGER SPACE THROUGH THE ENGINE FIREWALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WITH A/C SET ON "AUTO" THE A/C SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF BY ITSELF AND WOULD TURN OF REPEATEDLY WHEN STARTED AGAIN. DURING SUCH EPISODES THE A/C WOULD ACT ERRATIC WITH FANS TURNING ON AND OFF AT DIFFERENT OUTLETS, CYCLES BETWEEN HEATING AND COOLING, AND MAKES HISSING SOUNDS. THIS WOULD OCCUR MANY TIMES A DAY ON A DAILY BASIS IN SUMMER WEATHER (EXCEPT WHEN THE CAR IS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, IT SEEMS). IT TOOK ABOUT 2 YEARS FOR THE DEALER TO FINALLY FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY COULD NOT AVOID ADMITTING ITS EXISTENCE AFTER I HAD VIDEO TAPED THE MALFUNCTION AND SHOWED THEM THE VIDEO.. *JB

I PURCHASE MY 2003 MERCEDES FROM CARMAX IN 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAD 45,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT. FROM THE TIME I PURCHASE THIS CAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE SUNROOF MOTOR, REPLACE THE SHOCKS, REPLACE THE TRUCK LOCK, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, AND I HAD SOME TRANSMISSION WORK DONE. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HAVING TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS EVERY 6 MONTHS. I SUSPECT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT COMPLETELY PROVE IT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. WITH 1 YEAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS 3 TIMES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT LOW BEAM BULBS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS IS SURPRISING SINCE THIS CAR (UNDER MY OWNERSHIP) HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED I PURCHASED THIS CAR! *TR

2003 MERCEDES C230. SEAT BELT COMES UN-BUCKLED AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND DEALER WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE DEFECT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED AT DEALERSHIP. I NOTE THAT THE 2004 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. WHY DOESN'T THE RECALL COVER THE 2003 MODEL?*JB

I AM THE OWNER OF A C-230 4 DOOR SEDAN VIN#[XXX]. I HAVE AN ISSUE THAT I WAS LOOKING INTO ADDRESSING WHEN ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE JUST AROSE THAT I NEED HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO I HAVE CONTACTED BUT NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. 1) LAST WEEK I DECIDED TO QUOTE INSURANCE AND MAKE A CHANGE TO ALLSTATE. ONCE THEY PUT IN THE VIN# MAJOR ISSUES CAME. THE PRICE WAS WAY DIFFERENT THEN WHAT I WAS PAYING WITH MERCURY. TO MAKE THIS SHORT, AFTER TALKING TO MY BROKER AT MERCURY, IT TURNS OUT MY 4 DOOR HAS THE VIN# OF A 2 DOOR COUPE. I CALLED BEVERLY HILLS LTD WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. THEY DID NOTHING. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL TEMP REGISTRATION FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, AND THE DEALER TYPED COUPE NOT FOUR DOOR AND ON THE LEASE AGREEMENT. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS. HERE ARE MY ISSUES. THE COUPE IS MORE EXPENSIVE ON INSURANCE - I HAVE BEEN OVERPAYING SINCE 2/2003. 2ND, AM I PAYING A FAIR LEASE RATE IF THE VIN# IS FOR ANOTHER BODY STYLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT NIGHTMARE TO DEAL WITH SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED 8 TIMES, TRANSMISSION WORK, 2 COMPUTERS, CAMSHAFT, NEW RADIO, IDLE ISSUES, BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, AND SO ON. IT'S A COMPLETE LEMON. IT IS GOING IN NEXT WEEK AGAIN. I HAVE ONLY 21,000 ON THE CAR, AND DRIVE MY 2ND CAR MORE A 79 300SD MERCEDES AS IT IS MORE RELIABLE THEN THIS NEW CAR. I NEED SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE TO GO TO, ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS SO MUCH, [XXX] - PHONE OR EMAIL *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

MY MERCEDES-BENZ C-240 (2003 MODEL), HAVING LESS THAN 18500 MILES, SUDDENLY LOST POWER AFTER SOME 2-HOUR WORTH OF FREE-WAY DRIVING. AROUND NOON ON FRIDAY, 8/26/05, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH -BOUND ON I-15 PAST VICTORVILLE (CA), ABOUT 9 MILES PAST THE EXIT FOR ROUTE 18, WHEN MY C-240 SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AS I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I FELT NO POWER AND THE RPM WAS DECREASING. IT FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE-TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WAS SHUTTING DOWN. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. I MADE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LETTING OTHER VEHICLES KNOW I WAS COMING OFF THE FREE-WAY. I MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER SAFELY AND CAME TO FULL STOP ON THE GRAVEL. AT THAT TIME, MY DIGITAL ODOMETER READ "1 MALFUNCTION". USING MY CELL PHONE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE MERCEDES HOTLINE. THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE, KRISTIN, ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE "1 MALFUNCTION" SIGN BECAME "NO MALFUNCTION" A LITTLE LATER. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER IN RIVERSIDE, SOME 50 MILES AWAY. AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPT, AFTER A BASIC CHECK INVOLVING COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS, SOME FAULTY IDENTIFICATIONS WERE MADE, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE SAFE AND DRIVABLE. I DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME, PLANNING TO HAVE A MAJOR CHECK UP LATER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN AREA. THE FUMES CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DEVELOP HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED TWICE IN THE PAST TEN MONTHS. THE ONBOARD COMPUTER SAID SRS WARNING DID NOT DRIVE AT THAT TIME,. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS A CODE RESET IN THE COMPUTER. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED A FUSE BOX IN THE DASHBOARD. THE GAS GAUGE HAS ALSO GONE OUT TWICE IN ONE MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP DRAINED THE GAS AND RESET A COMPUTER CODE. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY HAD TO REPLACE A PART IN THE GAS TANK AND RESET THE COMPUTER CODE AGAIN. BOTH ITEMS WERE WORKING CORRECTLY AT THIS TIME.*AK

TIRE SYSTEM IS UNSAFE ON MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230 COMPRESSOR. TIRES POP WHEN HITTING CURBS BECAUSE OF 17" RIMS AT ONLY 2 MPH AND TIRE WEAR IS ONLY 15K PER TIRE. REPLACED TWO TIRES WHILE TRAVELING ONLY MINIMAL SPEED. TIRES HAVE ONLY 10K MILES. *JB

EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR TIRES AFTER ONLY 15000 MILES. THE BRAND IS MICHELIN PILOTS SPORT.THE SIZE IS 225-45ZR-17 THE CAR IS DRIVEN NORMALLYAND THE MAKE IS MERCEDES C230KK SEDAN. EXAMINED TIRES DURING WASHING CAR AND NOTICE WEAR AFTER ONLY 15000 MILES . BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR.PRESSURE WAS CHECKED REGULARLY. CAR CANNOT SPIN TIRES DUE TO TRACTION CONTROL. PLEASE DETERMINE IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS BRAND OF TIRE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHILE BEING SHIPPED. *MR *SC *JB

1)7/29/03 A.PURCHASE OF CAR B.SALESMAN TOLD ME THAT AM THE ONLY CAR HE HAS FOR THE C2 CONVENIENCE PACKAGE. HE ALSO WENT ON TO SAY THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A WHEELS PACKAGE. WHEN I ENQUIRED WHAT IT WAS, HE SAID IT IS A PREMIUM DESIGN, WHICH ENABLES ME TO HANDLE TURNS BETTER. I WAS NOT ENTIRELY EXCITED AT THE OFFER, BUT SINCE THE DEALERSHIP SAID CARS COME WITH PRE-DESIGNED PACKAGES, I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR WITH THE WHEELS PACKAGE, IF I WANTED THE OTHER EXTRAS I WAS LOOKING FOR. 2)01/15/04 A.FIRST OCCURRENCE OF CAR TIRE GOING FLAT. B.THERE WERE NO HOLES ON THE TIRE; IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRE WENT FLAT AS A RESULT OF A DENT ON THE RIMS OF THE CAR. C.I ARGUED MY CASE IN VAIN, SAYING THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFAULT; BUT SERVICE CENTRE(INCLUDING SUPERVISORS) COLDLY SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES AND THUS IT WAS NOT EVEN COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. THEY MADE ME PAY FOR A NEW TIRE AND A RIM (INVOICE ATTACHED). 3)03/17/04 A.I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE SERVICE CENTRE, AS I FELT THE CAR WAS WOBBLING. B.THE SERVICE GUY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO ANOTHER DENT ON ANOTHER TIRE. I TOOK THE CASE ALL THE WAY TO HQ (MONTVALE), BUT TO NO EFFECT. C.WORSE STILL, THE SERVICE CENTRE MADE ME PAY FOR THE TIRE, RIM AND THE ALIGNMENT OF THE WHEELS. THEY CLAIMED THE REALIGNMENT WAS NECESSARY, AS IT WAS THE IMPACT FROM THE DENT THAT CAUSED THE MISALIGNMENT, AND THUS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. D.I WAS PISSED, AS I FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WARRANTY WAS FOR, IF I HAD TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING. IF EVERYTHING THAT WENT WRONG ON THE CAR WAS AS A RESULT OF UNEVENNESS OF THE SURFACE (WHICH AGAIN I CANNOT CONTROL), THEN ITS AS GOOD AS HAVING NO WARRANTY. 4)05/06/04 A.MOST RECENT CASE OF A FLAT TIRE B.CLEARLY, AGAIN, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY HOLES ON THE TIRE. HOWEVER, I AM PRETTY SURE; IT WAS CAUSED BY A DENT ON THE RIM. *AK

ROUGH IDLE; RATTLING NOISE IN ENGINE AREA, HARSH SHIFTING, NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING WITH A CLICKING SOUND, WINDOW CONTROS SCRATCH WINDOW TINT

THIS IS A 2003 C230 KOMPRESSOR; MANUAL TRANSMISSION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES; CYLINDER HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/ VALVES NOT SEATED PROPERLY. NOW MB SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND PARTS.*AK

EXCESSIVE LOUD "SQUEAKING" COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT AREA. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ONCE WITH DEALERSHIP AND HAS WAS NOT CORRECTED. TAKING VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SECOND ATTEMPT.*AK

2003 C230 HAS TRANSMISSION THAT JERKS, AND REQUIRES EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO GET VEHICLE TO MOVE WHEN IN REVERSE, ALSO HAS WEAK RIM DESIGN, AND BEND EASILY, HIT POT HOLE ON HIGHWAY AND BENT FRONT RIM. *AK

A YEAR AGO, I BROUGHT A C230 COMPRESSOR AT MERCEDES-BENZ AND SINCE THEN, I HAD TO REPAIR MY A/C TWICE, THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE IN ONE WEEK, AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS ACTING OUT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN A GREAT DEAL, THE PROBLEM(S) STILL EXIST. IN ONE MONTH ALONE, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN ABOUT 3 TIMES TO FIX ALMOST THE SAME PROBLEM(S). MY LAST VISIT WAS THIS PAST WEEK, AND JUST TODAY, I GOT MY CAR BACK AND THE TRANSMISSION STILL FEELS FUNNY. IT JERKS WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND FOR SOME REASON, I FEEL MORE UNSAFE NOW THEN BEFORE.*AK

I BOUGHT MY MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR 9 DAYS AGO. IT HAS ONLY 380 MILES ON IT. 2 DAYS IN A ROW WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED INTO DRIVE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. MERCEDES IS GOING TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SS. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESS OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE, BLINDING THE CONTACTS VIEW OF VEHICLE FOLLOWING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY AND WAS MOVED FROM THE ROADWAY WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT AN ENGINE VALVE HAD MELTED INTO TWO PIECES AND A PIECE OF THE VALVE WAS FOUND IN THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES C320. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE RADIO OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. IN ORDER TO AVOID DRAINING THE BATTERY, SHE HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE. ALSO, IN WARM TEMPERATURES, THE POWER LOCKS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. UPON LOCKING THE DOORS, THEY WOULD UNLOCK WITHOUT INTENT. SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE POWER LOCKS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY STAY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE WHO STATED THAT THE RADIO WOULD BE REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

VEHILE IS AN AUTOMATIC. VEHICLE "JERKS" HARD WHEN LIGHTLY APPLYING GAS. THIS CAN BE COMPARED TO STARTING IN FIRST GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) WHEN NOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE CORRECT COMBINATION OF GAS AND CLUTCH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN TRAVELING FROM A DEAD STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES IN HITTING OTHER VEHICLES.*AK

WHILE VISITING SOUTH EASTERN UTAH IN A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THROTTLE RESPONDED ON THE THIRD PRESS OF GAS PEDAL ON EACH OCCASION. CAR HAD ONLY 7,500 MILES ON IT. ON FIRST OCCASION, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR. DASH BOARD INDICATOR DID NOT SHOW ANY MALFUNCTION DURING ANY OF THESE OCCASIONS. *AK

CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED WITH HER PROBLEMATIC, UNRELIABLE AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE VEHICLE. *PH THE WINDOW SEALS SCRATCHED THE GLASS TINT. THE RADIO RECEPTION WAS POOR AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM ONLY WORKED AT CLOSE RANGE. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE TINT WAS LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE POOR RECEPTION AND INABILITY TO USE THE ENTRY SYSTEM AT FURTHER DISTANCES. THE DEALER INSTALLED SCRAPER SEALS TO ALLEVIATE THE SCRATCHING. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF FIVE TIMES IN A 45 MIN PERIOD AND ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT A CYLINDER HAD MISFIRED AND WATER WAS IN THE SPARK PLUGS. THE DEALER REPLACED HE CYLINDER HEAD AND ALL VALVES. THE BAS, ESP AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A LACK OF AIRFLOW POWER WHEN THE A/C WAS USED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THERE WAS A STRONG MILDEW ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. CD SKIPPED WHEN TURNING CORNERS. A RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE WHILE THE A/C WAS ON. *NM

THIS IS A NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C230 COMPRESSOR ENGINE WITH ONE THOUSAND MILES. LAST MONTH A SULFUR SMELL EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WHILE WARMING. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. THREE TIMES THIS WEEK ON IGNITION THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE AND I HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER. THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO FIX IT. *JB