2001 Mercedes Benz 240 problems

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE PROBLEM OCCURRED INITIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A DRIVE. THE VEHICLE PERFORMED FINE BUT WHEN IT REACHED 40MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CAR STARTS UP IT IMMEDIATELY THROTTLE UP TO ABOUT 5000 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR. WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATES AT ALL SPEEDS ENDLESSLY. HOWEVER WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED THE ACCELERATING STOPS, BUT UPON ITS RELEASE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY THROTTLES UP AGAIN. THE ACCELERATION PEDAL DOES NOT JAM AND THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE NO RESPONSE TO ITS POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #10499803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING ON 101 FREEWAY AT FULL SPEED, THE MERCEDES SUDDENLY SELF-INITIATED CONTINUOUS BRAKE ACTION. THIS WAS UNCOMMANDED -- WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES OR TAKING ANY OTHER ACTION. THE CONSOLE DISPLAYED AN "ESP" ERROR MESSAGE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD COULD HAVE VERY EASILY CAUSED DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALABASAS. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS ESP UNCONTROLLED AUTO-BRAKING ON FREEWAY ISSUE IS FROM THE YAW SENSOR. CALABASAS REPLACED IT TODAY -- TOTAL COST OVER $1,000. I JUST EMAILED MERCEDES USA ON THE MATTER. REGARDLESS OF THAT OUTCOME, I FEEL THAT THE NHTSA MUST BE INFORMED OF THE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, SO I'M ENTERING THE INFORMATION HERE.

NHTSA complaint #10477345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE DRIVING ON 101 FREEWAY AT FULL SPEED, THE MERCEDES SUDDENLY SELF-INITIATED CONTINUOUS BRAKE ACTION. THIS WAS UNCOMMANDED -- WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES OR TAKING ANY OTHER ACTION. THE CONSOLE DISPLAYED AN "ESP" ERROR MESSAGE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD COULD HAVE VERY EASILY CAUSED DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALABASAS. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS ESP UNCONTROLLED AUTO-BRAKING ON FREEWAY ISSUE IS FROM THE YAW SENSOR. CALABASAS REPLACED IT TODAY -- TOTAL COST OVER $1,000. I JUST EMAILED MERCEDES USA ON THE MATTER. REGARDLESS OF THAT OUTCOME, I FEEL THAT THE NHTSA MUST BE INFORMED OF THE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, SO I'M ENTERING THE INFORMATION HERE.

NHTSA complaint #10477345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I HAVE HAD TWO COIL SPRINGS, FRONT AND REAR, BREAK ON THIS CAR WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A CORROSION PROBLEM, WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE. THE MB SHOP REPLACED THE OLD SUSPENSION PARTS WITH NEW PARTS FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR CONSEQUENCES AS THE COIL BROKE AT THE END WHERE IT SITS WITHIN THE CUP. IF IT BROKE IN THE MIDDLE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. I BELIEVE THERE MAY BE A TEMPERING PROBLEM WITH SPRINGS, WHICH WOULD BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS IF SOMEONE WISHES TO EXAMINE THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10404414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER WE COASTED TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, WE WERE 1 HOUR INTO A 3 HR ROAD TRIP. A MERCEDES BENZ CERTIFIED MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG I.E., NO FAULT CODES APPEARED WHEN THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN. THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED 2 HRS INTO ANOTHER 4 HR. ROAD TRIP AND AGAIN ON THE LOCAL HIGHWAY AFTER 1/2 HR OF DRIVING. EACH TIME WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. AFTER EACH OCCASION, WE HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED, BUT NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG.

NHTSA complaint #10308098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 MERCEDES C240 AT FREEWAY SPEED. THE AUTOMATIC "EASY EXIT" FEATURE SHORTED OUT CAUSING MY SEAT TO AUTOMATICALLY MOVE ALL THE WAY BACKWARDS SO THAT I COULD NO LONGER REACH MY CLUTCH, BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. IN ADDITION TO THIS MY STEERING WHEEL MOVED ITSELF UPWARDS AS FAR AS IT COULD GO. I NEARLY WRECKED MY CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED, HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO REACH MY BRAKE PEDAL BY SCOOTING WAY FORWARD IN THE SEAT, AND I ALSO WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE STICKSHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND PULL TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FREEZING UP, BUT I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE RELAY SWITCH CONNECTING TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOW, COULD ALSO CAUSE A SHORT, AND THUS INITIATE THIS MOST DANGEROUS "EASY EXIT" FEATURE. I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ALL OF THE DOOR MOUNTED CONTROLS, OFF AN ON. I HAD EVEN COMPLAIN TO THE DEALERS SHOP. BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE MY COMPLAINTS, SO THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT BROKEN. THIS TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN AS SOON AS I COULD AFTER THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL INCIDENT (THEY COULD NOT GET MY CAR IN UNTIL TUESDAY, THE FOLLOWING WEEK.) THE DIAGNOSIS THAT PART #203-820-15-85 (CONTROL UNIT) WAS FAULTY. THE PART WAS REPLACED FOR $579.20. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY SHOULD WARN ANY OTHER OWNERS OF A CAR WITH THIS PART TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS WRECK IF I HAD BEEN IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC, OR WAS DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS SNOW. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #10237355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 MERCEDES C240 AT FREEWAY SPEED. THE AUTOMATIC "EASY EXIT" FEATURE SHORTED OUT CAUSING MY SEAT TO AUTOMATICALLY MOVE ALL THE WAY BACKWARDS SO THAT I COULD NO LONGER REACH MY CLUTCH, BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. IN ADDITION TO THIS MY STEERING WHEEL MOVED ITSELF UPWARDS AS FAR AS IT COULD GO. I NEARLY WRECKED MY CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED, HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO REACH MY BRAKE PEDAL BY SCOOTING WAY FORWARD IN THE SEAT, AND I ALSO WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE STICKSHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND PULL TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FREEZING UP, BUT I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE RELAY SWITCH CONNECTING TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOW, COULD ALSO CAUSE A SHORT, AND THUS INITIATE THIS MOST DANGEROUS "EASY EXIT" FEATURE. I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ALL OF THE DOOR MOUNTED CONTROLS, OFF AN ON. I HAD EVEN COMPLAIN TO THE DEALERS SHOP. BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE MY COMPLAINTS, SO THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT BROKEN. THIS TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN AS SOON AS I COULD AFTER THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL INCIDENT (THEY COULD NOT GET MY CAR IN UNTIL TUESDAY, THE FOLLOWING WEEK.) THE DIAGNOSIS THAT PART #203-820-15-85 (CONTROL UNIT) WAS FAULTY. THE PART WAS REPLACED FOR $579.20. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY SHOULD WARN ANY OTHER OWNERS OF A CAR WITH THIS PART TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS WRECK IF I HAD BEEN IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC, OR WAS DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS SNOW. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #10237355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AT SEVERAL POINTS DURING A ROAD TRIP THIS PAST WEEKEND, MY 2001 MERCEDES C240 SUDDENLY DIED WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENCE. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AT THAT TIME BUT NEVER TOOK ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION. IN THE LATEST INCIDENCES THIS PAST WEEK THE STALLING PUT ME IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OF BEING HIT BECAUSE THEY HAPPENED ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER AND NO PLACE TO PULL OFF TO SAFETY. TRAFFIC COMING UP FROM BEHIND AROUND A BLIND CURVE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LIKELY TO SEE ME IN TIME TO STOP. FORTUNATELY, AFTER EACH INCIDENCE OF STALLING I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY RESTART THE CAR AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MERCEDES DEALER IN THE MORNING IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AS OF NOW I HAVE NO INDICATION OF THE CAUSE. UNTIL IT IS FIXED, I CONSIDER THE CAR TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10164152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2001 MERCEDES BENZ LEAKED WATER UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND BACK SEAT, ENGINE MADE A CLICKING NOISE, COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED. *TS THE HEADLIGHTS NEVER LASTED MORE THAN 2-3 MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A HUGE OIL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD, AND A SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE EMITTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE RODS HAD FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10148626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

2001 MERCEDES BENZ LEAKED WATER UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND BACK SEAT, ENGINE MADE A CLICKING NOISE, COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED. *TS THE HEADLIGHTS NEVER LASTED MORE THAN 2-3 MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A HUGE OIL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD, AND A SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE EMITTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE RODS HAD FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10148626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2001 C-240 MERCEDES BENZ, THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT KEEP BLOWING AND I GET A MESSAGE THAT I'M USING THE SUBSTITUTE LIGHT, I TOOK IT THE REPAIR SHOP (MERCEDES BENZ) AND THEY CHANGED THE BULB, NOW THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THERE IS A SHORTEST SOMEWHERE AND IT ALSO CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO START ONLY AFTER A DAY OF SITTING, I HAVE TO JUMP IT TO GET IT TO START. I CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICE THE CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT WHEN I TAKE IT IN THE REPAIR SHOP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. A COUPLE NIGHTS AGO THE ALARM AND ALL THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. PLEASE HELP...DID I BUY A LEMON? I LOVE MY CAR BUT WANT IT TO START WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, HAS THERE BEEN A PROBLEM LIKE THIS REPORTED ON OTHER C240. THE BATTERY HAS A GOOD CHARGE, SO SAYS THE MECHANIC, BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE DRAINING IT.

NHTSA complaint #10141839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

AIR MASS SENSOR & CAM POSITION SENSOR, AUTO HAS 65,000 MILES. INVESTIGATE IF MANUFACTURER DEFECT

NHTSA complaint #10133644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) FAILED TO ENGAGE, WHICH AFFECTED VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION. DEALER SUGGESTED TO PLACE TWO 50 POUND BAGS DUE TO SNOW TIRES WAS THE CAUSE, BUT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. (NAR) *LA

NHTSA complaint #10059417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ODOMETER. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE DISPLAY. (CLOCK) THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TO GET HER WINDOWS TINTED. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10074074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ACCELERATING. 3 OCCURRENCES IN 10 MONTHS. LOSES ALL POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. ALMOST REAR-ENDED. DEALERSHIP SAID IT INSTALLED MISMATCHED SPARK PLUGS BUT APPEARS TO BE FALSE.

NHTSA complaint #10054420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AS PASSENGER THE STEERING FROZE. UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. VEHICLE PUSHED TO SAFETY OFF ROAD WITH A LOT OF EFFORT TO STEER. VEHICLE REMAINS AT DEALER # 2 IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. MILEAGE WAS OVER 30, 000 AT TIME OF FAILURE ON 11/11/02.

NHTSA complaint #10000990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATE WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8018635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO WARNING. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC REPLACED BATTERY, FUEL INJECTORS, AND FUEL RELATED COMPONENTS , AND SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL PARTS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF FAILURE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE WAS SURGING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8014591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO WARNING. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC REPLACED BATTERY, FUEL INJECTORS, AND FUEL RELATED COMPONENTS , AND SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL PARTS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF FAILURE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE WAS SURGING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8014591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO WARNING. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC REPLACED BATTERY, FUEL INJECTORS, AND FUEL RELATED COMPONENTS , AND SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL PARTS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF FAILURE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE WAS SURGING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8014591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THERE IS A VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN VEHICLE TRAVELS AT OR OVER 60 KM TO 70 KM. PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS AT THOSE SPEEDS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTING. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT DEALER HAS ACCEPTED TO RE-EVALUATE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #8001664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.