2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S430. The contact stated he opened the hatch however, the hatch quickly closed independently. The contact stated he was able to hold the hatch before it closed totally. The contact stated that the passenger’s side spring was detached from the hatch. The contact stated he attempted but was unable to repair the passenger’s side spring. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,268.

DURING HOT WEATHER THE SEAT BELT GETS STUCK AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE SEAT BELT AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED UNDER HOT WEATHER. THIS IS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 1 YEAR.*DT CONSUMER STATED SEAT BELT GETS JAMMED WHEN TEMPERATURE GOES OVER 90 DEGREES AND IS UNABLE TO USE SEAT BELTS AS WELL AS PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS BUT MALFUNCTIONING.*JB

SRS CODES IS BEING THROWN. IF YOU MOVE A LITTLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IT TRIGGERS CODE TO BE THROWN. STARTED THROWING IT OUT OF NOW WHERE.

ELECTRICAL/FUSE/CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ARE OUT IN DASH VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY

THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. ALSO, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE SPEED/FUEL/GEAR SELECTION. THESE ARE BOTH SAFETY CONCERNS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. WE CAN SEND YOU A PICTURE OF THE DEAD DASH IF NEEDED. ALSO VIDEO OF A STUCK SEAT BELT. THANKS, KURT.

I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES S430. THE OTHER DAY MY WIFE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. HOW DO WE ALLOW A VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON THE HIGHWAY THAT WOULD JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AT LEAST GIVING YOU A CHANCE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. THANKS

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK NOTHING WORKS IN CLUSTER.DRIVINGHOUR OR TWO WENT BLANK NO REASON

THE SUSPENSION ON MY 2003 S 430 4-MATIC IS STATING STOP, TOO CLOSE. IT WILL NOT LIFT UP. IS THIS A RECALL ISSUE? PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR FAILED ON MY 2003 S430. WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN SEASONAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART 2X AT 700.00 ON BOTH OCCURANCES AT MY OWN EXPENSE WHICH I DONT UNDERSTAND WHEN THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR PREVIOUS YEARS 2000,2001.. RECALL#2004 070010. I'VE ALSO HAD TO CHANGE MY SHIFTER GEAR BOX WHICH JAMS IN THE PARK POSITION AND DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO DRIVE THE VECHICLE THIS IS CAUSED BY A PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAK WITHIN THE GEAR BOX THIS ISSUE IS ALSO EXPENSIVE FOR JUST 1 FAULTY TRANS SHIFTER PIECE THAT CAN TOTALLY LEAVE YOUR CAR INOPERABLE.

WHILE DRIVING GETTING READY TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY MY 2003 MERCEDES S430 INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT. THE GAUGES GOT STUCK ON WHAT THEY WERE WHILE DRIVING. I WASN'T ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING ON THE PANEL. I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST SHOP AND THEY CHANGED THE FUSE, HOWEVER THE FUSE BLEW RIGHT BACK OUT EACH TIME THEY CHANGED IT. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE. I HAVEN'T HAD THIS CAR FOR 1 YEAR YET AND I AM LOST AT WHAT TO DO. THE SHOP SAID THE INSTRUMENT CHAISE WILL WORK BUT SOMETHING IS BLEWING THE FUSE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE ALUMINATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ANY HELP WITH THIS ISSUE IS HELPFUL.. PLEASE HELP AS THIS CAR HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE (INSTRUMENT PANEL, DOORS DON'T LOCK, PASSENDER SEAT MOVES AT WIERD TIMES, AND THE AIR STRUT BUSTED) INSTEAD OF A GOOD DREAM. I HAVE READ A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE IN THESE CARS. I WISH I WOULD OF SEEN THIS BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. MERCEDES NEEDS TO COVER THE COST IN FIXING THIS ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,563.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER LIGHTS FLASHED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS MECHANIC AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL AND JERK THE SHIFTER IN ORDER FOR IT TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLICKER WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT.

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE GETTING STUCK IN "PARK" AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES (SOMETIMES IN EXCESS OF 30 MINUTES) IT WILL RELEASE ALLOWING ME TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, ONCE AFTER GETTING IT TO SHIFT GEARS I DROVE AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOME AND PUT IT IN PARK AT THE STOP SIGN (PRIOR TO TAKING A TRIP FAR AWAY FROM HOME) IT BECAME STUCK AGAIN (OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC) AND IT TOOK ME OVER 30 MINUTES (AGAIN) TO GET IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, I DROVE BACK HOME! THE PSE PUMP THAT OPERATES THE TRUNK FAILED AND THE TRUNK AUTO RELEASES AND BECAUSE IT WORKS BY HYDRAULICS IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN (AND HOLD UP) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOAD SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK. THE SUPERCHARGER BEARING WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED IT TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $14,000 HAVING REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND I'VE ONLY OWNED IT FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS. THIS IS MAKING MY "DREAM CAR" DREAM A TOTAL NIGHTMARE!!!!!! *TR

WHILE MY DAUGHTER DRIVING MY CAR ABC LIGHT CAME ON AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND HAD ACCIDENT. CAR WENT OVER THE CENTER LINE, CLIMBED OVER BARRICADE AND DESTROYED THE CAR. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTLALED THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE BLEW UP AND CAR WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BOTTOM OF THE SUSPENSION, MERCEDES DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILTY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET I FOUND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS FOR THE INCIDENTS LIKE THIS.

STARTED VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES DARK. NO POWER MIRRORS, SEATS, NO RADIO, NO AIR. *TR

STARTED CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, DASH GOES DARK. NO POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, RADIO, AIR, SEATS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

WHEN I START S55 AMG AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT, I FIND DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE GEAR LEVER FROM P TO R; AFTER A FEW TRIES ONLY IT MOVES FROM PARK POSITION TO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR AFTER DRIVING, UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR THINKING I'LL GET STUCK WITH THIS GEAR LEVER MOVING PROBLEM, OR SOME UNFORESEEN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT GEAR GETTING STUCK. ON GOOGLE SEARCH, I READ SEVERAL MERCEDES OWNERS COMPLAINING ON THIS MATTER, STUCK-PARK-PROBLEM. FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARD REQUIRES YOU TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE TO SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF PARK. IT IS PROBABLY LEFT OVER FROM THE AUDI "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" DAYS, BUT IT IS HERE IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. ADDING TO THE COMPLICATION IS THE FACT THAT THE SHIFTER IS SUPPOSED TO REMAIN LOCKED IN PARK UNLESS THE PROPER KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING MY CAR OUT OF PARK FROM TIME. ACCORDING TO GOOGLE SEARCH THIS HAPPENS DUE TO A CHEAP PLASTIC BRACKET INSTALLED BY MERCEDES TO LOCK THE GEAR IN PARK POSITION, EITHER BROKEN OR DETERIORATION. THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE ABOUT 2001 & OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING, MERCEDES HAS NOT VOLUNTARILY FIXED THE PROBLEM. DEALER MAY CHARGE CLOSE TO $1,200 TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT; I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $238.05 ABOUT A WEEK AGO FOR DEALER TO REPLACED AND FIX TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL BUSHING LEAKS, THINKING IT WOULD FIX MY GEAR SHIFT PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAD NOT FIXED MY PROBLEM. I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH IF YOUR AGENCY TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO GET MERCEDES TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES AND FIX FREE. I THINK THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE GM'S IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM, AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A CAR WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. *TR

SPECIAL ACQUISITION MODULE (SAM) MY CAR WOULD NOT START THE MERCEDES ROADSIDE CAME OUT AND STARTED THE CAR AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. UPON REVIEW THE DEALER STATED THE SAM MODULE PLASTIC COVER HAD WATER DROPS ON IT. THEY ALSO STATED THE MALE AND FEMALE CONNECTORS TO THE MODULE WAS CORRODED, AND I WOULD NEED A NEW SPECIAL ACQUISITION MODULE (SAM) AT THE COST OF $1590.00. THEY ASK IF I HAD LEFT THE WINDOWS DOWN, BUT I HAD NOT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WET, BUT I DID NOTICE EVERYTIME I WENT TO THE CAR WASH THE INFORMATION SYSTEM WAS SHOWING ALERTS I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE. MY CONCERN IS EVEN WITH A NEW MODULE IF THE OLD ONE GOT WET AND IT IS CLEAR THE WATER IS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHAT WILL KEEP THE NEW MODULE (SAM) FROM GETTING WET. SOMETHING IS ALLOWING THE (SAM) MODULE TO GET WET FROM UNDER THE CAR. *TR

THE SRS SYSTEM (AIRBAGS) HAVE BEEN DEEMED INOPERABLE BY THE DEALER AND MAY EITHER DEPLOY AT ANY TIME OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN A COLLISION. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RECOGNITION SENSOR PAD LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH DISABLES/ENABLES THE AIRBAGS FUNCTIONALITY. BOTH A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN THE 2000 TO 2006 MODEL YEAR MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE CONTAINS A SENSOR THAT EVENTUALLY FAILS FOR NO APPARENT REASON OR WARNING WHICH COMPROMISES THE AIR BAG'S FUNCTIONALITY. THE PASSENGER RECOGNITION SENSOR PAD LOCATED IN THE SEAT EVENTUALLY MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO FATIGUE.THIS ALSO DISABLES THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SRS SYSTEM.THIS MALFUNCTION HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDRESSED AND RECALLED BY BMW FOR THE SAME ISSUES BUT MERCEDES BENZ HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL CAMPAIGN ALSO THE GEAR SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK AND CAN NOT BE SHIFTED IN REVERSE. THIS IS DUE TO A SMALL PLASTIC PART LOCATED IN THE SHIFTING MECHANISM WHICH IS RELEASED BY A SOLENOID WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE PLASTIC PART EVENTUALLY CRACKS AND RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE.THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE NOR PRODUCED BY MERCEDES BENZ AND THE ENTIRE MECHANISM MUST BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CRACKED PART CAN ALSO AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PEDESTRIANS. IF IT CRACKS WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE, THE SHIFTER CAN NOT BE MOVED FORWARD TO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND WILL REMAIN STUCK IN DRIVE DUE TO A BROKEN PIECE OF PLASTIC BLOCKING THE SHIFTER FROM MOVING.THIS IS ANOTHER EXTREMELY COMMON AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE MODEL YEAR 2000 TO 2006 S CLASS AND HAS AFFECTED AND LEFT THOUSANDS OF MOTORISTS STRANDED. MERCEDES BENZ HAS THE LOWEST RECALL RATE IN THE UNITED STATES ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING HTTP://WWW.REUTERS.COM/ARTICLE/2014/03/27/US-AUTOS-RECALLS-STUDY-IDUSBREA2Q1ZQ20140327. THEY SHOULD NOT IGNORE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. HAPPENED 3 TIMES. TIRES MICHELIN WITH 30000 MILES ON TIRE BUT STILL WITHIN TREAD GUIDELINES. *TR

THE SEAT BELTS WILL PERIODICALLY NOT EXTEND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ABNORMALLY LOW. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, ONCE HE REACHED 60 MPH A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT DID THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE OUT OF THE TRUNK AND HE COULD SMELL BURNING PLASTIC. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE A PSE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, CAUSING IT TO OVER HEAT AND MELT THE WIRING HARNESS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE PUMP FROM THE WIRING HARNESS IN ORDER TO STOP THE SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL RELAY PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN MXV4 225/55/R17 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE TIRES LOST PRESSURE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE MAIN INCIDENT, MY 2003 MERCEDES S430 WOULD STALL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CALLED MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD LET THE CAR RESET, AND THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED TWO TIMES AND BOTH TIMES THERE WAS A TEMPORARY FIX AFTER THE CAR RESET. A DAY AFTER THE SECOND RESET, MY CAR COMPLETELY STALLED AND ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET INTO A FEW CRASHES. MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALLED THE TOW COMPANY, AND THEY TOOK OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF TO GET THERE. IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY, AND I FELT VERY SICK FROM THE HEAT. THE CAR WAS TOWED, AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE DID NOT TELL ME IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT JUST TO LET THE CAR RESET. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD THAT THE SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THIS IS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS DEFECT, THAT A SENSOR GOES BAD WITH NO WARNING, AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES FOR $433.16. I AM TRAUMATIZED BY THE INCIDENT, AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE A DANGEROUS CAR THAT CAN SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING FOR SOMETHING AS SMALL AS A BAD SENSOR. FURTHER, I WAS MISLED BY MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THAT THE PART NEEDED TO RESET, RATHER THAN BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT OR PULL OUT FURTHER FROM ITS PRETENSIONER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

WHEN TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 17 DEGREES F, THE VEHICLE DROP TO UNSAFE LEVEL, AND MESSAGE SAYS AIRMATIC STOP CAR VEHICLE TOO LOW. THE TIRES WILL START RUBBING ON LINER. CALLED DEALER THEY SAID TEMPERATURE IN GERMANY DOES NOT GO THAT LOW, WELL THIS CAR IS SOLD IN US, AND THEY NEED TO MAKE IT WORK. *TR

WHEN VEHICLE GETS COLD( OUTSIDE TEMP BELOW 17 F), THE CAR WILL LOWER, AND AIROMATIC WARNING MESSAGE COMES ON SAYING AIROMATIC VEHICLE TOO LOW STOP VISIT SHOP. *TR

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH S-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHUTDOWNS AND ALOT OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILURES. *TR

VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH DRAINS BATTERY FAULTY FUSE BOXES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DISTRIBUTION HOSE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT HIS ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,988.

AIR BAG-DRIVERS SIDE, STEERING WHEEL. I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SITE AND THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO INFORM YOU OF THIS ISSUE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER CLEARED THE FAULT CODE. THIS LASTED ONE WEEK AND THEN THE WARNING REAPPEARED. THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN A DEPLOYMENT WHETHER WARRANTED OR NOT. IT SEEMED TO US THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE REGARDLESS. THEN, DESPITE THE 7 YEAR ,100,000 MILE WARRANTY, THEY SAID AIR BAGS ARE NOT COVERED. WE THEN INCURRED AN EXPENSE OF $1,841 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT. IT SEEMED THE MANUFACTURER TRIED TO AVOID ANY AND ALL COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR BAGS BEING PROBLEMATIC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A CAR WASH OR DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE RADIO VOLUME WOULD SPORADICALLY INCREASE AND DECREASE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NOR REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 158,000. REMAILED 07/14/2010.*LJ

SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK DUE TO THE ONLY PLASTIC PART ( SHIFTER MODULE) IN THE SHIFTER BOX. MERCEDES HEADQUARTERS TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE FIX WHEN PLASTIC PART BREAKS. *TR

MERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEELS/TIRES ON 12/03/2009 AGAIN AFTER THE CAR'S ABC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ON 11/19/2009 AT MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ. I HAVE REPORTED SAFETY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ABC SYSTEM QUALITY PROBLEM (ODI NUMBER IS: 10294645). THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR CHECKS AT SAME DAY AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WATER PUMP DEAD AND MADE ENGINE BELT BROKEN AND ABC SYSTEM AT MALFUNCTION. I FEEL THE ABC QUALITY PROBLEM HAS AFFECTED ENGINE WATER PUMP'S QUALITY. ABC SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS SAFETY CONSIDERATION. IT LOOKS LIKE MB HAS A INCORRECT DESIGN OF ENGINE WATER PUMP AND ABC SYSTEM FOR S-600. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER THIS ISSUE FOR A NEW RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR

MERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEEL/TIRES ON 11/16/2009. THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR REPAIRS THAT SAME DAY AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT DUE TO CORROSION THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE ALREADY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL; LEAKING ABC FLUID MAY HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. BUT, THE CAR DEALER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT RELATED TO MB RECALL (ID # 07V263000) ISSUES. HOWEVER, I FEEL THIS ABC QUALITY PROBLEM ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED RECALL. IF NOT, PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER THIS ABC SYSTEM QUALITY ISSUE FOR A NEW RECALL. NOW, THE MB CAR DEALER HAS REPLACED DEFECTIVE ABC SYSTEM AFTER I PAID THEM. BUT I THINK MB SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS QUALITY PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS REPORT. THANK YOU. *TR

MY SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE!! WITHOUT WARNING MY S430 AIRMATIC LIGHT DISPLAYED "VISIT WORKSHOP", I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS RIDING EXTREMELY LOW...ALMOST TOUCHING MY FRONT AND BACK TIRES. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A RUBBING SOUND WHEN THE WHEELS ARE BEING TURNED. I CONTACTED 4 DEALERS AND THEY ALL CLAIMED THE SUSPENSION AND/OR AIRMATIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM ...MY CONCERN IS WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT A RECALL? SECONDLY, AFTER SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS WEEK, MB IS CLAIMING THAT I WILL BE CHARGED FOR SERVICE A. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE>>>WHY IS MERCEDES LOOSING THEIR REPUTATION FOR POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE? PLEASE CONTACT ME...I NEED MY VEHICLE IN OPERABLE CONDITION AND WILL EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED BY MERCEDES ONCE THIS RECALL MATTER IS APPROVED AND/OR ACTIVE. I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT NHTSA CARES...THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 S430 MERCEDES BENZ. THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE HEAD LIGHT BULB MELTED . THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST OF $500.00. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT IT CONTINUED TO DISCHARGE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY SHE CANNOT READ ANY OF THE GAUGES OR DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,700. UPDATED 1/25/10 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PLASTIC MELTING ON BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. AFTER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INSTALLED, THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO DIE. UPDATED 01/26/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AND WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS FOR $1200. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,402.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY DURING HOT WEATHER. MORE PARTICULARLY, THE BELT WILL NOT EXTEND. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL THE BELT OUT ENOUGH TO FASTEN IT. THUS, THE ONLY WAY THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN IN HOT WEATHER IS WITHOUT THE DRIVER WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE BELT WORKS PROPERLY IN THE MORNING WHEN LEAVING OUR AIR-CONDITIONED GARAGE, BUT WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR WHILE IT HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN HOT WEATHER THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK. *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE REACTED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PROGRAMMED IN THAT MANNER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED HIM WITH A LOANER. THE LOANER WAS A MERCEDES ALSO, BUT THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000. UPDATED 08/28/09 *BF UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB

INCIDENT ONE: 1. WHILE DRIVING IN ATLANTA, GA IN FEBRUARY OF 2007. THE FRONT AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE CROSSING AN "INACTIVE" RAILROAD TRACK. JUST IMAGINE IF IT WAS ACTIVE. MERCEDES-BENZ TOWED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE DEFECT. 2. A FEW DAYS AGO, I'M DRIVING ON A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD AND MY CAR STARTS TO LOWER. AGAIN. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. HOW MANY TIMES WILL SOMEONE NEED TO REPORT THIS "SAFETY HAZARD" TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE, IN ORDER TO BE HEARD? PLEASE HELP ME. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE CAR I PURCHASED, AS THE SALESMAN SAID, "THE SAFEST CAR ON THE ROAD," BECOME THE REASON FOR SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH TO ME AND OTHERS. THANK YOU, I HOPE YOU'LL CONTACT ME WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. WE NEED TO BE HEARD. WE WANT YOU TO DO SOMETHING, BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE US FEEL THAT YOU GENUINELY CAR ABOUT LISTENING AND CREATING ACTION ON THESE COMPLAINTS. WHAT DOES IT COST YOU TO RECALL SOMETHING? I KNOW WHAT IT'LL COST ME OR THE PUBLIC IF YOU DON'T. *TR

MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTINUES TO CUT OFF RANDOMLY ON MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430 . WHILE I THOUGHT THIS WAS A MB RECALL THEY TOLD ME NY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. A CLEAR PROBLEM THAT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET IS BEING IGNORED BY MERCEDES. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT LAST NIGHT WITH MY TEENAGE SON DRIVING. HE HAD NO DASH LIGHTS AT ALL AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED. WITHOUT SPEED, GAS ,TURN INDICATORS ETC THIS KNOWN ISSUE IS SERIOUS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED AND WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 95000.

MY CAR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS INSIDE MY CAR ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD ARE MALFUNCTIONING. I CAN'T SEE HOW FAST I'M DRIVING BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR ME. WHEN THE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS OCCUR, NOTHING ELECTRICAL, LIGHTS, SEATS WORK IN THE CAR. *TR