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.
Air bags, Jan 30, 2006, crash
2002 MERCEDES C320 AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED NEITHER HE NOR HIS WIFE WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE GOING TO SEND A FACTORY INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *NM *NM
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2005
BOUGHT A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 NEW FROM A DEALER. THE PAINT IS PEELING AND RUST IS SETTING IN. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE HOOD AND THE ROOF. NOW THERE IS MORE PAINT PEELING ON THE RIGHT REAR PANEL AND THE GAS TANK FLAP. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT TRADING THE CAR IN, THE DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $16,500 -- BECAUSE THE APPRAISER SAW NEW PAINT ON THE CAR, HE PRESUMED IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAD HIDDEN DAMAGED. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN HIT. I PAID ABOUT $50,000 FOR IT, WITH ALL THE UPS AND EXTRAS INCLUDING AN ONBOARD NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE CAR ONLY HAS 14,475 MILES ON IT AND IS JUST NOW QUALIFYING FOR SERVICE B. MY FRIENDS TELL ME MERCEDES ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE. IT IS NOW DEFINITELY DAIMLER CHRYSLER. INCLUDING THIS CAR,I HAVE PURCHASED SIX NEW MERCEDES SINCE 1985. I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. *NM
Tires, Oct 5, 2005
I PURCHASED GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE TIRES FROM WALMART IN BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN ON 11-18-04. THE TIRES WERE SIZE P20555R16BW AND INSTALLED ON MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240 SEDAN. ON 10/2/05 I NOTICED A FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT BECAME APPARENT THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE ABOUT AN INCH AWAY FROM THE RIM ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. THE DEPTH OF THE CRACK WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE STEEL BELTS. AFTER INSPECTING THE REMAINING THREE TIRES I DISCOVERED THEY WERE ALL CRACKED IN THIS MANNER. TWO WERE AS BAD AS THE FIRST TIRE AND A FOURTH WAS BEGINNING TO CRACK. I TOOK THE TIRES TO WALMART IN GARNER, MA WHERE I NOW RESIDE. THE MANAGER WAS VERY HELPFUL AND REPLACED THE TIRES WITHOUT QUESTION. HOWEVER, AFTER CALLING THE COMPLAINT IN TO GOODYEAR, IT BECAME APPARENT THEY REALLY DON'T CARE. I'M CONCERNED THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO WILL BE KILLED OR INJURED DUE TO THESE TIRES. IT'S APPARENT THERE IS A DEFECT BECAUSE MY TIRES EXPERIENCED 100% FAILURE RATE AND WERE PRODUCED IN TWO SEPARATE LOTS. THE DOT NUMBERS ARE DOT PJT2 4AHR 1604 (3 TIRES) AND DOT PJT2 4AHR 3704 (1 TIRE). GOODYEAR CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND THAT LESS THAN 1% OF TIRES ARE BAD. THIS IS NOT A STATISTIC WORTH BRAGGING ABOUT SINCE MILLIONS OF TIRES ARE PRODUCED. THE TIRES I PURCHASED CRACKED DUE TO DRY ROT AND THEY WERE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD. GOODYEAR IS UNCONCERNED ABOUT HIGHWAY SAFETY. THEIR ATTITUDE AT THE COMPLAINT CENTER WAS PATHETIC. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE NEW TIRES WILL ALSO BE DEFECTIVE AND I NEED ASSURANCE FROM SOMEONE THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ONGOING QUALITY ISSUE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES AND THE WALMART MANAGER IN GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS IS HOLDING THE DEFECTIVES UNTIL GOODYEAR VISITS HIM AGAIN. *NM
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 14, 2005
I LEASED A MERCEDES BENZ C230 COMPRESSOR FOR MY DAUGHTER IN 2001. THE SUN ROOF DIDN'T SLIDE BACK ON THE EXTERIOR OR THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER DISMANTLED THE SUN ROOF. MERCEDES REFUNDED THE FIRST MONTH'S LEASE PAYMENT SINCE SHE DID NOT HAVE USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST MONTH. AFTER ONE YEAR THE SUN ROOF NEEDED ADDITIONAL REPAIR. AT 31,000 MILES - THE POWER STEERING FAILED THE BRAKES FAILED AND WERE REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKE THE SUN ROOF ONCE AGAIN WASN'T WORKING... THE INTERIOR SLIDING MECHANISM FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THE COOLANT SENSOR FAILED, THE CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE SENSOR REGISTERED COOL. CURRENTLY AT 37,000 MILES - THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TAKEN APART BECAUSE IT WASN'T SHIFTING GEARS. THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LEFT TURN HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FLASHER BROKE. WHILE THEY WERE FIXING THE TRANSMISSION THEY SOMEHOW DAMAGED THE REAR WINDOW AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS NOW BEING REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON OCCASIONALLY. MERCEDES CEASED TO MANUFACTURE THIS VEHICLE IN 2005. MY DAUGHTER SPOKE TO THE REGIONAL REP., HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE, RUDE AND HUNG UP ON HER. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN AND JEOPARDIZE MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY. THE ENGINE COULD BREAK DOWN BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE SENSOR THAT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIX. THE INCIDENT DATE THAT FOLLOWS IS THE DATE OF THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM .. THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR WINDOW. *NM
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 23, 2005
I OWN A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320 WITH LESS THAN 55,000 MILES. ON SAT. AUG. 20, 2005 WHILE OPENING MY TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUNK ASSEMBLY. THE VERY NEXT DAY I WENT SHOPPING AND WENT TO PLACE MY ITEMS IN THE TRUNK AND HEARD THE SAME SOUND AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN I GO TO CLOSE THE TRUNK IT WOULD NOT LATCH. I CALL MB 1-800 SERVICE, HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COME BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT SURE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT AND STILL HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR COMING. SO I THEN HAD TO TRY TO HOLD THE TRUNK DOWN WITH WHAT I HAD IN THE TRUNK WHICH WASN'T MUCH. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY THE TRUNK LID SPRUNG OPEN WHICH TO ME WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAD TO TRY TO MANEUVER MY WAY ACROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH A TRUNK LID UP BLOCKING MY VIEW. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE GUY HIMSELF SAID HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE TRUNK IS NOT SOMETHING ONE USES EVERYDAY SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT BROKE ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD. THIS SIMPLY SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. ALSO, I CHECKED THE DIFFERENT MB FORUMS AND IT APPEARS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SOME FORM OF PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRUNKS ALONG WITH A LAUNDRY LIST OF OTHER MALFUNCTIONS. I NOW HAVE TO PAY $ 350.00 PARTS AND LABOR FOR SOMETHING I BELIEVE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2005
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320.*MR *BF *NM *JB
Air bags, Mar 30, 2005, crash, fire
SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, LOST POWER THAT CONTROLLED THE , BRAKES , STEERING, ETC. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WENT INTO TRAFFIC AND STRUCK OTHER VEHICLES AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
Power train, Mar 28, 2005
I LEASED A 2002 MERCEDES C32 IN DECEMBER OF 2002. ITS A DOCUMENTED FACT MERCEDES HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A HIGH NUMBER OF DEFECT COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL CAR. RECENTLY FOR ME WAS THE MOST SERIOUS.. ON DECEMBER 26TH 2004, WHILE MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY(I95) MY CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK THEN BACK TO DRIVE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED MERCEDES ON 12/27, AT AN APPOINTMENT I HAD PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR OTHER PROBLEMS. MERCEDES AFTER HOLDING THE CAR FOR A WEEK DIAGNOSED IT AS A TRANSMISSION CONTROL ISSUE. I HAD TO WAIT FOUR WEEKS FOR A REPLACEMENT TO ARRIVE FROM GERMANY. IN JANUARY 2005, WHILE WAITING FOR THIS PART TO ARRIVE THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE SAME HIGHWAY THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I AGAIN FOUND MYSELF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.AT THE END OF JANUARY MY CAR WAS FINALLY FIXED BY MERCEDES, I RECEIVED THE CAR ON A TUESDAY. ON THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. MY CAR JUMPED A 10 INCH HIGH CURB AND WHEN I TRIED TO GET THE IGNITION IT DID NOT RESPOND. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MERCEDES WHO DIAGNOSED A BROKEN TRANSMISSION PIN. I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WHICH THE FEAR OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RECURRING. I EVENTUALLY STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR AND CONTACTED MERCEDES. I ASKED THEM TO CONSIDER TAKING THE CAR BACK, ITS HAS 8 MONTHS REMAINING ON A 3 YEAR LEASE. THEY IN TURN TOOK THE CAR FOR A WEEK DROVE IT FOR 60 MILES THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. IN MY RIGHT MIND I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF KILLING MYSELF AND OTHERS. MERCEDES HAS WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THIS SITUATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 23, 2005
MERCEDES BENZ C320 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR, AND A FLUID LEAK.*MR ANSWERING 10118894 AAE 4-27-05 THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A VALVE NOISE, A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVESHAFT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAK CAUSED SOME WIRES TO BECOME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT TO NOISY. THE CONSUMER HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN HE ACCELERATED, BUT THE NOISE DECREASED WHEN HE DECELERATED, SECONDS LATER THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT RESPOND AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 17, 2005
1. FAILURE OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK. 2. FAILURE OF DEALERSHIP TO PERMANENTLY FIX PROBLEM. IT GETS FIXED BUT IT BREAKS DOWN AGAIN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MAY WORK; THEN IT MAY NOT WORK; THEN IT MAY WORK. 2. FAILURE OF DEALERSHIP TO PERMANENTLY FIX PROBLEM. IT IS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED WHEN I LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP - BUT IT FAILS AGAIN. IT HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN FOR THE DOOR TO BE UNLOCKED. 3. THE DEALERSHIP CORRECTS THE PROBLEM BUT IT AGAIN FAILS; NOW IT HAS FAILED TO GET DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AGAIN AND I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR FOR IT TO OPEN. AND SOMETIME WHEN I AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOOR BY THE TRANSMITTER; ALL THE DOORS EXCEPT MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK. THIS IS DANGEROUS SINCE IF I ENTER THE VEHICLE WITH THE ONE DOOR LEFT UNLACHED - SOMEONE CAN HIDE IN THE BACK OR ALSO IN A CRASH MY DOOR MAY OPEN UP SINCE I CANNOT LOCK THE DOOR. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2004
THE C ONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE . THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STARTED UP THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UP. THE CONSUMEER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE ABS ON 2002 MERCEDES C320.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A NEW VEHICLE AND $5000. *NM *JB
Exterior lighting, Aug 5, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED TO FUNCTION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATION WAS REDUCED. SOMETIMES THERE WAS A WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATED THE LIGHT WAS OUT, EVEN IF THE LIGHT WAS ON. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES HEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTION, AND ALTERED THE LIGHT BULB. TBUT FAILURE RECURRED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Equipment, Jun 29, 2004
CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED A LEMON. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 4-5 TIMES AND EACH TIME AT LEAST A MONTH. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF AND DID NOT COME BACK ON, THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *AK THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS PROBLEMATIC, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTERS IN THE REAR DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION, THE LEFT FRONT LOW BEAM LIGHT WOULD COME ON THE DISPLAY, THE VOICE OPERATION WAS HARD TO HEAR ON BOTH RECEIVING AND ANSWERING, THE BRAKES FELT SOFT, THE TRUNK SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY, THE CELL PHONE WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. (MODEL/S500) *SC *JB
Steering, Jun 17, 2004
(1) NORMAL DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC; (2) NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING; FEELING OF COLLAPSE OF RIGHT FRONT LIKE FLAT TIRE;CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLOWLY; COMPUTER MESSAGE-ELECTRIC DE-STABILIZER NOT LOCATED; PARKED AND CALLED TOW COMPANY; TOW TRUCK DRIVER PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO ENABLE TOWING; RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED WITH TIE ROD PROJECTING OUT; (3) A. STEERING ANGLE SENSOR,R&R; B. FSSB SERVICE; C. TIE ROD ENDS LEFT AND RIGHT REPLACED; D. FRONT STABILIZER BAR RUBBER BUSCHING AND LINKS AND THREAD HOLD FOR STABILIZER BAR BOLTS REPLACED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, May 10, 2004
THE PROBLEM: WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL, NO RESPONSE IS EXPERIENCED IN THE CAR INITIALLY. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL MORE AGGRESSIVELY TO GET THE CAR TO RESPOND. WHEN IT DOES RESPOND, IT ACCELERATES EXTREMELY FAST. I HAVE HAD TWO NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION. AS A DRIVER, YOU MUST THROTTLE THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY TO FEEL CONFIDENT THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE TO GET MOVING. THE STATED PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR NEW IN JULY 2002. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER (PARK PLACE MOTOR CARS) AND ASKED THAT IT BE CORRECTED ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I'VE HAD NO POSITIVE RESPONSE AND CONSEQUENTLY THE CONDITION EXISTS TODAY. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2004
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR 90 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS IN LOCAL TRAFFIC ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLED. I NEEDED TO RESTART THE CAR BEFORE IT WOULD RUN BRIEFLY AND THEN STALL AGAIN. IT KEPT STALLING IN TRAFFIC BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION, BUT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
THE 1ST INCIDENT; MY MERCEDES C240 WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS NEW. 2ND INCIDENT AT 10.5 MOS, 3RD: EXACLTY 1 YEAR, 4TH: 1 YR/3 WKS, 5TH: 13 MOS. ALL 5 TIMES THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT DYING OUT OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, & BRAKES. 3 OF THE 5 INCIDENTS THE CAR WOULD NOT START & REQUIRED A TOW TO THE DEALER, HAVING THE DEALERS WORK ON THE CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR DIE OUT AGAIN. BIGGEST COMPLAINT BESIDES MINE, MY CHILDREN, & OTHER FELLOW FREEWAY TRAVELERS LIVES BEING IN DANGER IS THE LACK AND DISRESPCTFUL ATTITUDE OF THAT FROM MERCEDES BENZ'S CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Tires, Jan 15, 2004
IN OCTOBER OF 2001, I PURCHASED A NEW (2002) MERCEDES BENZ C-240. IT CAME EQUIPPED WITH GERMAN MADE CONTINENTAL CONTOURING TIRES. IT IS WITH THESE TIRES THAT I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM. I HAVE 19,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND ALREADY HAVE HAD TWO SLOW LEAKS IN TWO DIFFERENT TIRES (PASSENGER SIDE FRONT/REAR). THE FIRST TIRE LEAKED (AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES) BUT ABLE TO BE PATCHED. WHEN I BROUGHT THE SECOND TIRE INTO AN STS TIRE DEALER, I NOTICED THAT THEY SOLD CONTINENTAL TIRES. SINCE I HAD THE TWO PROBLEMS, I ASKED THE MANAGER IF THEY SOLD MANY CONTINENTAL TIRES AND EXPLAINED MY EXPERIENCES (IN BOTH CASES THE TIRES HAD NAILS, OR SIMILAR METAL, EMBEDDED IN THEIR TREAD). AGAIN, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. IN THE SECOND INSTANCE, THE DAMAGE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE TIRE AND COULD NOT BE PROPERLY PATCHED. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. HERE IS MY CONCERN. THE STS MANAGER, ASKED ME IF MY TIRES WERE FACTORY TIRES. I INDICATED THAT THEY WERE THE ONES THAT CAME WITH THE (NEW) CAR. HE INDICATED THAT FACTORY TIRES ARE TYPICALLY MADE TO THE SPECIFICATION OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURER, NOT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. HE EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE THE AUTO MAKER ORDERS TIRES IN SUCH QUANTITY, THEY CAN SET THEIR PRICE. IN MOST CASES, FOR THE TIRE MANUFACTURER TO BE ABLE TO MEET THAT PRICE, THEY NEED TO ADJUST THE COMPOSITE FORMULA OF THE TIRE -- ESSENTIALLY MANUFACTURING INFERIOR TIRES. THIS WAS HIS EXPLANATION OF WHY I MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY FACTORY TIRES. HE FURTHER INDICATED THAT TIRES SOLD TO TIRE RETAILERS ARE MANUFACTURED TO THE TIRE MAKERS' STANDARDS AND WILL PROVIDE A MUCH LONGER USEFUL LIFE (HE INDICATED 60,000 + THOUSAND MILES FOR THE CONTINENTAL CONTOURING TIRE I JUST PURCHASED TO REPLACE MY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRE). THE KICKER IS THAT CONTINENTAL DOES NOT WARRANTY THEIR TIRES AGAINST ROAD HAZARDS! IF HIS EXPLANATION ABOUT FACTORY TIRES IS TRUE, THIS IS VERY DISTURBING AND I BELIEVE THAT CONSUMERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2003, crash, fire
WHEN DRIVING 15 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. 15 SECONDS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DUE TO SEVERE FIRE DAMAGE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2003, fire
VEHICLE FIRE WITH 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C230.*MR CONSUMER NOTED FOUR FACTUAL ERRORS WITH THE REPORT PROVIDED TO MERCEDES-BENZ CORPORATE OFFICE. THE CONSUMER CORRECTED THE FACT THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE BENEATH THE CARPET AREA AND THE IDLE TEST THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS IRRELEVANT. THE CONSUMER STATED EXCESS HEAT CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE FIRE IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. *PH *JB
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2003, fire
WHILE DRIVING AT UNDETERMINED SPEED BRAKE LINE LOW LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 5 MINUTES LATER. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER/DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM.*AK
Tires, Sep 10, 2003
HAVE 2002 MERCEDES C 230 COUPE, 18000 MILES, ORIGINAL OWNER. HAD FLAT TIRE, RIGHT REAR, NO PUNCTURE NOTED BY TIRE REPAIR SHOP. SHOP STATED TIRES ALMOST TOTALLY WORN, WITH 2/32 TREAD ON RIGHT REAR AND 4/32 ON LEFT REAR, BOTH CENTER TREAD MEASUREMENT. FRONT TIRES A LITTLE BETTER. MICHELIN TIRES. BUT FOR INCIDENTAL FLAT TIRE WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 18000 MILES OR PROBABLY MUCH SOONER THAN THAT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, DEALERSHIP STATES NO WARRANTY ON TIRES. HAD ROUTINE SERVICE AND NOTED VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS PULLED TO RIGHT AND HAS HAD HARD POUNDING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHTEST BUMP. DEALER STATED NO PROBLEMS NOTED IN PULLING TO RIGHT OR IN THE POUNDING NOISE. SINCE FLAT TIRE, VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP AND HAS HAD STABILIZER BAR CONNECTING LINKS, TORSION ROD REPLACED. PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED LONG AGO. QUESTION WHETHER DEFECTIVE STABILIZER BARS CAUSED TIRES TO WEAR MUCH FASTER. NO INDICATION FROM DEALERSHIP. BELIEVE MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD BE PLACED ON NOTICE OF CONDITION. CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. MERCEDES BENZ AND/OR MICHELIN SHOULD ADVISE OF POTENTIAL LOW LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THEIR TIRES. TIRE SIZE, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 225/45 ZR 17 91Y. *AK