2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 184 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 8 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 10 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
184 reports, newest first.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 3, 2015, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Seats, Nov 4, 2014
THE SEAT CONTROL UNITS DO NOT SHUT OFF AND CONTINUALLY DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL CAR. *TR
Seats, Oct 27, 2014
I AM CORROBORATING WHAT WAS SUBMITTED ON CLAIM 10632020. THE FRONT POWER SEATS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR HAVE FAILED. WHEN THEY FAIL THERE IS A CONSTANT BATTERY DRAIN WHILE THE CAR IS OFF THAT DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY, CAUSING IT TO BE DEAD WITHIN 8 HOURS. FIRST MY DRIVERS SIDE FAILED, THEN WITHIN THE SAME YEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. I BOUGHT TWO NEW BATTERIES AND HAD TO ARGUE WITH THE SALESMEN ABOUT WHETHER THE BATTERIES WERE GOOD OR BAD BEFORE I REALIZED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SEAT CONTROLS. MB WANTED MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE 1 SEAT CONTROLLER. OVERALL THE ELECTRONICS ON MY CAR ARE ITS WEAKEST LINK, AND UNFORTUNATELY WHEN SOMETHING BREAKS THERE IS NO FIXING IT OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY. MB SHOULD COVER THIS ON A RECALL BECAUSE IF SOMEONE'S MOTHER OR WIFE IS OUT ON THE ROAD AND THEY FIND THEIR BATTERY DEAD IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Seat belts, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 16, 2014
ON JUNE 9, 2011 I DROVE TO SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA TO VISIT MY COUSIN WHEN I GOT THERE I WENT TO LOCK MY DOORS BUT THE LOCK KEPT JUMPING UP AND DOWN. IT FINALLY LOCKED AFTER 12 ATTEMPTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $3500.00 TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 18, 2011 WITH MY BRAKES.THE BREAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND $795.00 THEY CLAIMED I NEEDED FOR BOTH BRAKES AND ROTORS WHICH I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND SINCE 6 MONTHS PRIOR THE ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED. I AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND BREAKS REPLACED IN JULY 2012 AS WELL AS THE BACK BREAKS BUT THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE OTHER THAN THE DEALER AND HERE IT IS 2014 AND THEY ARE STILL HOLDING AND THE COST WAS $495.00 FOR BOTH FRONT AND BACK AS WELL 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $495.00 FOR THE BACK ALONE. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED IN LAS VEGAS I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. IT STARTED BACK RIGHT AWAY BUT I HAD A TEN HOUR DRIVE TO MAKE IT HOME AND THIS WORRIED ME. THE FOURTH INCIDENT WAS WITH THE SUNROOF I WENT TO THE CAR WASH AND THE WAX THAT WAS USED CAUSED THE SUNROOF TO STICK AFTER IT DRIED AND LATER THE MOTOR WENT OUT BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE ROOF, THE DEALER QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $5000.00 TO REPAIR IT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVERS SEATBELT AND BACK SEATBELT ON DRIVERS SIDE WERE DEFECTIVE AND IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELTS MIGHT NOT HOLD, THIS WILL COST ME $700.00 TO HAVE FIXED. I DON'T HAVE A MONEY TREE GROWING IN MY YARD. ALSO MY REAR TAILLIGHT KEPT GOING OUT AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT THE ENTIRE CASING HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. THE ENTIRE UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE PAID MORE IN REPAIRS ON THIS CARS THAN I PAID IN GROCERIES OVER THE PASS FIVE YEARS. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Sep 9, 2014
SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. CAR WILL NOT START IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 24 HOURS. 99% OF THE CARS WITH THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE PART NUMBER STARTING WITH "203" ARE BAD!! WHY WONT MERCEDES RECALL THEM AND REPLACE WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. ITS OBVIOUS THAT ITS A DEFECTED PART AND IT WILL CAUSE OTHER THINGS TO GO BAD. WE SPEND ENOUGH HARD EARNED MONEY ON BUYING THE CAR TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE CALLED THE STEALER NOT THE DEALER! *TR
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2014
I AM NOT SURE WHY MERCEDES IS DOING THIS. I AM SURE THE AUTO MAKER IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I DEMAND MERCEDES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY CAN NOT GET AWAY CLEAN HANDS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER AUTO MAKERS. THIS ARE PEOPLE LIVES YOU ARE PLAYING WITH AND YOU AS A AUTOMAKER HAVE NO REMORSE FOR PEOPLE LIVES. THIS IS NOT A MOVIE WHERE YOU CAN JUST CALCULATE YOUR COLLATERAL DAMAGE AND GET AWAY. WILL NEVER BUY MERCEDES EVER AGAIN. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. ITS ONE ISSUES AFTER ANOTHER. MY CAR JUST STOPS ON HIGHWAY ALL OF SUDDEN LOSES POWER AND HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. I HAD ALMOST EVERYTHING REPLACED IN THE CAR, SPARK PLUGS, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY(THAT WENT OUT 3 TIMES). OH DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER - THE PARTS ARE MADE SO CHEAP THAT THERE IS A LITTLE HOOK TYPE THING THAT REGULATES THE SPEED OF THE SPEED BREAKS SO EASILY I CANT BELIEVE IT. COUNTLESS FORUM DATA EXIST AND NHTSA DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. BAN THIS AUTOMAKER OR TELL THEM TO GIVE ME A NEW CAR. NOW I AM LOOKING TO SPEND CLOSE TO ANOTHER $600-$1000 BUCKS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE PARTS. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. OH THEN THERE IS THAT WHEEL BEARING ISSUE I MEAN COME ON MY DAD OWNS A HONDA ACCORD OLDER THAN MINE ALL HE HAS DONE TO THAT CAR SO FAR IS OIL CHANGE AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I DEMAND SOME ANSWER AND POSSIBLE COMPENSATION FROM THE AUTO MAKER. *TR
Interior lighting, Jul 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING), ALTHOUGH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Electrical system, Seats, Jun 10, 2014
THE POWER SEAT MODULES CONTINUOUSLY DRAIN THE BATTERY CAUSING DEAD BATTERY WITHIN 24-48 HOURS. THE SEATS MUST BE UNPLUGGED TO STOP THE PROBLEM. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WANTS $100 TO DIAGNOSE AND $1,500 PER SEAT MODULE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MAKING THIS A DEFECT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 16, 2014
I WOULD LIKE THE FOLLOWING ADDED TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ODI#10579532. THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SENT TO ME BY DAIMLER BENZ CORPORATE OFFICE IN GERMANY: [XXX] MAY 15 (1 DAY AGO) TO ME REF: [XXX] DEAR [XXX], THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOST RECENT EMAIL. WE CAN ASSURE YOU THAT ALL AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ WORKSHOPS WORLDWIDE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITHIN THE GUIDELINES AND WORK INSTRUCTIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER. IN THIS CASE, MERCEDES-BENZ RECOMMENDS THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, RATHER THAN THE INDIVIDUAL AFFECTED PART. WE REGRET THAT YOU FEEL WE ARE PUSHING YOU AWAY HOWEVER, AS YOUR VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WE MUST INVOLVE THE RESPONSIBLE ENTITY, WHICH IS MERCEDES-BENZ USA. WE HOPE YOU CAN APPRECIATE THAT DUE TO THE VARYING LEGISLATIONS WORLDWIDE, WE MUST ENSURE THAT EACH CUSTOMER IS DEALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CORRECT PROCEDURES. MERCEDES-BENZ USA WILL ADDRESS THIS MATTER IN FULL FOR YOU AND SHALL INFORM US OF THE OUTCOME. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONTACT US BUT REGRETTABLY WE ARE UNABLE TO ADD ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. YOURS SINCERELY [XXX] DAIMLER TEAM FOR THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT / DAIMLER KUNDENBETREUUNGSTEAM FR DEN VORSTAND DAIMLER AG SITZ UND REGISTERGERICHT/DOMICILE AND COURT OF REGISTRY:STUTTGART INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, May 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C32 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 30, 2014
THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO COMPLAINT #10579528. SPOKE TO ROBIN, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE REAR SIGNAL ACTUATOR MODULE AS THE BASIS FOR THE FUEL DELIVERY FAILING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE EXPLANATION THEY OFFERED IS THAT THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IN FUEL DELIVERY TO THE ENGINE, WHILE DRIVING, IS THE FUEL PUMP, MERCEDES PART# 203 470 3794. HOWEVER, THEY FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK, FUEL DELIVERY UNIT, FUEL SENDING UNIT AND WIRING HARNESS ...THE ENTIRE FUEL STORAGE TANK AND FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM! NO ONE I KNOW HAS EVER HEARD OF A SITUATION WHERE AN ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAILED IN-TANK FUEL PUMP. THIS POINTS TO YET ANOTHER DESIGN FLAW FOR WHICH MERCEDES BENZ, THE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER,HOLD ITSELF ACCOUNTABLE. WHAT POSSIBLE ENGINEERING REASON CAN THEY OFFER OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE FUEL AND ELECTRICAL FUEL DELIVERY COMPONENTS SYSTEM WERE SERIOUSLY FLAWED FROM THE BEGINNING OF PRODUCTION? *JS
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 14, 2014
THIS 2002 MERCEDES C32 IS A DEATHTRAP! THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, REAR & FORWARD SAM, FUEL PUMP, ETC, FAIL AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RATE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVED A FAULT IN THE PRIMARY FUEL PUMP. THE MERCEDES DEALER IDENTIFIED THE FAULT AS A FAULTY PLASTIC POWER CONNECTOR ON THE PUMP AND A FAILED FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MERCEDES BENZ NORTH AMERICA WOULD NOT SELL ME A REPLACEMENT PUMP; INSTEAD, THEY INSISTED THAT I PURCHASE AN ENTIRE NEW FUEL TANK AND WIRING HARNESS FOR $3200 PARTS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE FRO LABOR. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, YET, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A VOLUNTARY RECALL! MOREOVER, THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE TANK--A SADDLE TYPE, SITUATED UNDER THE REAR SEATS--ALLOWS DIRT, SMALL PEBBLES AND OTHER DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE AREA (A TYPE OF WELL) OF THE FUEL PUMP(S)--THERE ARE TWO. EVERY TIME I'VE HAD THE CAR SERVICED THE TECHNICIAN HAD TO VACUUM OUT ALL THE ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. (MY NEW YORK TITLE, WHERE I ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IT AFTER PURCHASING IT USED AT A NEW CAR DEALER, NEVER INDICATED IT HAD BEEN PART OF A LEMON LAW PROCESS.) I'VE NOTICED ON THIS SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS, INCLUDING SERIOUS FUEL LEAKS WITH THEIR ASSOCIATED FUEL LINE FAULTS. REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THESE FAILURES SHOULD NEVER TAKE PLACE!!!! MOREOVER, I AM COUNTING ON YOUR OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY. IN RECENT DAYS IT HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CRIMINALLY NEGLECTFUL WITH RESPECT TO ADDRESSING FAULTY DESIGN ISSUES. I THINK MY CIRCUMSTANCE IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS PHENOMENON. MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR PLACING A SERIOUSLY FLAWED PRODUCT INTO THE MARKETPLACE! *JS
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Apr 14, 2014
THIS 2002 MERCEDES C32 IS A DEATHTRAP! THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, REAR & FORWARD SAM, FUEL PUMP, ETC, FAIL AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RATE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVED A FAULT IN THE PRIMARY FUEL PUMP. THE MERCEDES DEALER IDENTIFIED THE FAULT AS A FAULTY PLASTIC POWER CONNECTOR ON THE PUMP AND A FAILED FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MERCEDES BENZ NORTH AMERICA WOULD NOT SELL ME A REPLACEMENT PUMP; INSTEAD, THEY INSISTED THAT I PURCHASE AN ENTIRE NEW FUEL TANK AND WIRING HARNESS FOR $3200 PARTS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE FRO LABOR. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, YET, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. MOREOVER, THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE TANK--A SADDLE TYPE, SITUATED UNDER THE REAR SEATS--ALLOWS DIRT, SMALL PEBBLES AND OTHER DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE AREA (A TYPE OF WELL) OF THE FUEL PUMP(S)--THERE ARE TWO. EVERY TIME I'VE HAD THE CAR SERVICED THE TECHNICIAN HAD TO VACUUM OUT ALL THE ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. I'VE NOTICED ON THIS SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS, INCLUDING SERIOUS FUEL LEAKS WITH THEIR ASSOCIATED FUEL LINE FAULTS. REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THESE FAILURES SHOULD NEVER TAKE PLACE! MOREOVER, I AM COUNTING ON YOUR OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY. IN RECENT DAYS IT HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CRIMINALLY NEGLECTFUL WITH RESPECT TO ADDRESSING FAULTY DESIGN ISSUES. I THINK MY CIRCUMSTANCE IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS PHENOMENON. MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR PLACING A SERIOUSLY FLAWED PRODUCT INTO THE MARKETPLACE! *JS
Seats, Jan 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SEAT MODULE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND AS A RESULT, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 9, 2013
FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE CAUSING GAS TANK TO LEAK. FUMES SO STRONG IN GARAGE RISK OF EXPLOSION. FUMES PERMEATING HOME. *TR
Structure, Nov 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT CORROSION WAS DEVELOPING ON THE LOWER PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,000. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED, YET THE DOORS AND UNDER PANELS SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THERE WERE SEVERAL PRONOUNCED PAINT BUBBLING AND RUST SPOTS THAT HAVE PERMEATED THROUGHOUT THE BODY.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 17, 2013
THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM(S) OCCURRED ON A 2002 MERCEDES C32 AMG: THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER RUNNING FINE DURING THE LAST DRIVE. I SUSPECTED THE FUEL PUMP AND PROCEEDED TO INSPECT IT. AFTER REMOVING THE WIRING FROM THE FUEL PUMP LEVEL PRESSURE SENSOR (MERCEDES P/N 2034701741) THE CAR STARTED. I THEN FILLED UP THE GAS TANK, AND GAS POURED OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. RE-INSPECTING THE FUEL PUMP LEVEL SENSOR SHOWED GAS POURING OUT OF IT. IT TURNS OUT THE WIRING HAD MELTED A SMALL HOLE IN THE PART AND THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE GAS LEAK. I REPLACED THE PART WITH AN OEM ONE ON 9/26/13 AND IT FAILED AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON ON 10/15/13. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE MERCEDES LINE-UP AND OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT TO CORRECT IT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2013, crash
WHILE DRIVING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY FROM ON RAMP, MISS JUDGE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, VEHICLE FLIP FROM FRONT TO BACK ON THE DITCH SIDE OF THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT GOT THROWN OUT DUE TO SEATBELT MALFUNCTION. FRONT AIRBAG ON STEERING AND PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN SPINAL (NECK), TRAUMA BRAIN INJURY, BROKEN COLLAR BONES, BRUISED LUNGS, TWO BROKEN ARMS TWO BROKEN LEGS. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 30, 2013
DRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SEA LEVEL) AND EVENTUALLY DESCENDING FROM ECHO PASS AT 7200 FEET ELEV TO LAKE TAHOE (6200 FEET ELEV) ON HIWAY 50, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SHOWED AN ESP WARNING LIGHT WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE WENT INTO 'IDLE' MODE (ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING) AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COULD SUMMON NO POWER. PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF COMPLETELY TO PONDER. TURNED CAR BACK ON AND THE ESP WARNING LIGHT WAS GONE. THERE WAS FULL ACCELERATOR POWER AGAIN. CONTINUING THE DRIVE INTO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT THING AGAIN TWO MORE TIMES IN ONLY ABOUT 15 MILES HAVING TO DO THE SAME RESTARTING & CLEARING THE ESP WARNING TO GET TO OUR DESTINATION. IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN THE 2 DAYS WE WERE AT TAHOE. WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT MAKING IT BACK TO SF. WE DECIDED TO TRY IT AND WE LEFT ECHO LAKE (7200 FEET) AND DESCENDED TO SF (SEA LEVEL) BUT THE ESP WARNING DID NOT COME ON AGAIN AT ALL FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS. ONLY LAST WEEKEND, WE HEADED BACK UP TO THE EXACT SAME LOCATION AT ECHO LAKE AND BEHOLD, THE ESP WARNING CAME BACK ON. BY RESTARTING THE CAR AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES ALL THE WAY LEFT TO RIGHT OVER AND OVER, DID THE ESP FINALLY GO OUT AND WE THEN DROVE ALL TYHE WAY HOME AGAIN TO SF. THE ESP WARNING HAS SINCE NOT COME BACK ON, NOR HAS THE CAR STOPPED OR SWITCHED INTO AN 'IDLE' MODE. IT IS A NUISANCE AND CLEARLY ELECTRONIC......FAULTY SWITCHES/SENSORS ?
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 18, 2013
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO WARNING LIGHTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS, A WARNING CAME ON FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY AND MY CAR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND I HAD TO RESTART IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 10, 2013
I CALLED MBUSA 2 WEEKS AGO REGARDING MY 2002 C320 WAGON WHICH WAS SMELLING OF PURE GASOLINE WHICH THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG IT WAS COMING INTO THE HOUSE FROM THE GARAGE GIVING US HEADACHES. I CHECKED ONLINE WITH MBUSA CLUB MEMBERS AND FOUND OUT THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND TO CALL IT IN. I CALLED MBUSA AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR BULLETINS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE AND WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY TO CONTACT THE DEALER. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SEEMED VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE AND JUST FOR PARTS IT WAS OVER $800 AND THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY WARRANTY, RECALL ISSUES. THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR WE USE THIS WAGON TO TRAVEL DAILY WITH THE KIDS OR OTHER LITTLE FAMILY MEMBERS SO WE DID NOT WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES. WE CALLED OUR INDEPENDENT MERCEDES BENZ CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE KNEW WHAT IS WAS JUST FROM OUR CONVERSATION. HE HAD US BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY AND HE LIFTED UP THE REAR SEAT WHERE OUR CHILDREN SIT AND SHOWED MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF A POOL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP SITTING RIGHT UNDER THE SEAT!! I WAS DISGUSTED TO KNOW THAT MBUSA DISMISSED THIS SO QUICKLY AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY PUT OUR CHILDREN AT RISK. PLEASE NOTE THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAS VISITED THE MB DEALER MORE TIMES THAN ANY CAR SHOULD EVER NEED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM EVEN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER TOLD US THEY SEE ALOT OF THESE NEEDING REPLACED AND ALTHOUGH MB HAS UPDATED THE FAULTY PART THEY HAVE NOT NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THE POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, May 20, 2013
DRIVERS POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINS BATTERY WHEN AUTO IS PARKED. *TR
Interior lighting, Apr 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AFTER FINDING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Mar 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THE SEAT CONTROLS FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT DRAINED THE BATTERY AND THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 90,904. *TR
Steering, Aug 14, 2012
AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, I PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER LOCK, (RED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON), AND ADJUSTED THE HEIGHT AND DEPTH OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I THEN PUSHED THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER LOCK BACK IN (RED WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED). I STARTED DRIVING AND WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT ON A CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO SWERVE INTO ANOTHER LANE. I PULLED OVER ATTEMPTED TO REENGAGE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT POSITIONS, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED. THE RED WARNING LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LEVER IS PULLED OUT, BUT IT DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS DISENGAGED WHEN THE LEVER IS PUSHED IN EVEN THOUGH THE LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT FUNCTION. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A FORUM WITH SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES OF DIFFERENT YEARS. I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE. *TR