Owners have filed 25 complaints
about the 2000 Mercedes Benz 320 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2014.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 34
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz 320. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
32% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 15
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2000 compares with every other Mercedes Benz 320
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Mercedes Benz 320
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
520.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 82,000 mi
Steering
416.0%
Median failure at 145,000 miles
Electrical System
416.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 167,000 mi
Airbags
312.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,000 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
28.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Seats
14.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 33,230 mi
Tires
14.0%
Median failure at 333,959 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
14.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.0%
Suspension
14.0%
Median failure at 101,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.0%
Median failure at 46,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
14.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
327.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
19.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
218.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
327.3%
150,000+ miles
218.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2001peak 6Mar 2014
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 167,000 milesHenderson, NVFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE BOUGHT OUR ML 320 NEW. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 13 YEARS. NO ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. A WEEK AGO I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT & SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WITHIN MINUTES MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE INTERIOR WAS IN FLAMES & THE HENDERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY CAR WAS BURNED & COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY ML & WAS GOING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER UNTIL MY CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES LAST WEEK. I AM NOW HEARING STORIES FROM OTHER ACQUAINTANCES THAT THEY TOO EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. NOW, I SEE THAT MERCEDES HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THEIR VEHICLE DEFECTS AND HAS NOT HAD A SAFETY RECALL. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR LASTED THIS LONG & VERY BLESSED MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME.
NHTSA complaint #10537615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesFallbrook, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SENT OUT A TEAM OF TECHNICIANS TO INVESTIGATE THE CRASH, AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT IN THE RIGHT SPOT. THUS, NOT ALLOWING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AS DESIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #10099524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,230 milesConcord, MAFire1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE SEAT HEATER IN MY MERCEDES BENZ 320ML GAVE ME SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT PULLS TOO MANY AMPS. THEY HAVE BEEN EVASIVE IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RETURN OF MY VEHICLE, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS ON THE OWNERS' WEB SITE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM LEADING ME TO BELIEVE I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO SUFFER FROM AN OVER HEATED CAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10037183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hills, CACrash
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2000 MERCEDES BENZ...REAR GLASS EXPLODED AND CONCERNS ABOUT BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE BRAKES DIDN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND IT TOOK EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GLASS IMPLOLDED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE WINDOW REPAIR, IT IMPLODED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF PURCHASE OR A REPLACEMENT. *SCC. THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, HOWEVER DID NOT STATE IN DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10022740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hills, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2000 MERCEDES BENZ...REAR GLASS EXPLODED AND CONCERNS ABOUT BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE BRAKES DIDN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND IT TOOK EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GLASS IMPLOLDED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE WINDOW REPAIR, IT IMPLODED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF PURCHASE OR A REPLACEMENT. *SCC. THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, HOWEVER DID NOT STATE IN DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10022740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 145,000 milesPlainview, NY
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE MAIN STREET SUDDENLY THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO THE HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10575096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesHenderson, NVFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE BOUGHT OUR ML 320 NEW. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 13 YEARS. NO ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. A WEEK AGO I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT & SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WITHIN MINUTES MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE INTERIOR WAS IN FLAMES & THE HENDERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY CAR WAS BURNED & COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY ML & WAS GOING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER UNTIL MY CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES LAST WEEK. I AM NOW HEARING STORIES FROM OTHER ACQUAINTANCES THAT THEY TOO EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. NOW, I SEE THAT MERCEDES HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THEIR VEHICLE DEFECTS AND HAS NOT HAD A SAFETY RECALL. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR LASTED THIS LONG & VERY BLESSED MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME.
NHTSA complaint #10537615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesMamou, LA
AIR BAGS
SRS LIGHT STAYS ON , DEFECTIVE AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #10293788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesEast Wareham, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
IN NOVEMBER 2008 I HEARD A BANG AND MY FRONT END DROPPED, I PULLED OVER AND DROVE HOME SLOWLY AND THEN HEARD ANOTHER BANG AS I PULLED INTO DRIVE WAY. THE TWO FRONT PERCHES THAT HOLD THE SPRINGS IN PLACE FAILED DUE TO MFG DEFECT. I DID RESEARCH ON INTERNET AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO E320 SINCE 1999. DEALERS SAID THEY ARE FIXING IT FOR 8 YEARS AND THEN FOUND OUT 8 YEARS FROM MFG DATE NOT MODEL YEAR. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AND NO DATE WOULD BE USED. MFG WON'T PAY FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10251609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesRidgewood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE CARS BRAKE SYSTEM WENT ON WITH ANY COMMAND. THE YAW SENSOR ON THE BRAKES SYSTEM ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD REPLACE THEM. I ALMOST GOT INTO ANY ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10237893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksburg, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY 2000 MERCEDEZ ML 320 IGNITION IS STARTING BUT NOT FAIL TO START THE ENGINE. A COMPUTER TEST CONDUCTED SHOWS THAT THE ML320 COMPUTER IS DEFECTED. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM, THE SAME VEHICLE HAS A HOSE POWER STEERING WHICH I HAD REPAIRED NOT KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HOSE POWER STEERING. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANY RECALL EXIST FOR 2000 MERCEDEZ ML 320 REFERENCE TO THE COMPUTER. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10217654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksburg, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
MY 2000 MERCEDEZ ML 320 IGNITION IS STARTING BUT NOT FAIL TO START THE ENGINE. A COMPUTER TEST CONDUCTED SHOWS THAT THE ML320 COMPUTER IS DEFECTED. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM, THE SAME VEHICLE HAS A HOSE POWER STEERING WHICH I HAD REPAIRED NOT KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HOSE POWER STEERING. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANY RECALL EXIST FOR 2000 MERCEDEZ ML 320 REFERENCE TO THE COMPUTER. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10217654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesST. Louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 MERCEDES ML 320 WITH 46000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 45 MPH THE BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE BRAKES REMAINED ENGAGED, THEREFORE THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MERCEDES DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE YAW SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION, PE07-007. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55000.
NHTSA complaint #10184217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesRancho Mirage, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CLK 320 MERCEDES BENZ. WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS A VACCUM LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10179347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesCincinnati, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THIS CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RELATED DESIGN DEFECT. THE CAR JERKED TO A SUDDEN STOP AFTER WATER WAS SPILLED FROM THE CUP HOLDER ONTO THE SHIFT CONSOLE. I WAS LUCKILY DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED(LESS THAN 25 MPH). THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED. I PULLED OVER AND COULDN'T SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF GEAR. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN I COULD GET TO NEUTRAL (LUCKILY ON A FLAT STREET OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED AWAY FROM ME). AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF I GOT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THIS HAPPENS A LOT AND THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE $800 TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONICS THAT HAD SHORTED OUT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW TO HAVE A CUP HOLDER NEXT TO AN AREA PRONE TO SHORTING OUT WITH WATER EXPOSURE. THIS WAS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER. ALSO I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY.. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED, I'M FEARFUL I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO DP 05-007 DATED 11/07/2005 WHICH I FOUND ON YOUR WEB SITE. STEVE CHAN IS LISTED AS THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10144946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phildelphia, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320 RECEIVED RECALL 03V121000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL MB 2003-040005, AND WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH DEALERSHIP. THE RECALL IS ON NHTSA # 03V121000 AND MB # 2003-040005 THE DEALERSHIP WAS TELLING HER THAT THEY COULD NOT GET THE PARTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET THEM. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING ON PARTS FOR TWO WEEKS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE THE CONTACT'S TELEPHONE CALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THE SALESMAN WILL NOT RESPOND. SHE WAS GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR RECALL WORK ON MB 2003-040005 CONCERNING THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THE DEALERSHIP THEN CHECKED THE CAR ON 9-29-05. THE DEALERSHIP WAS TELLING HER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. MERCEDES BENZ WAS NOT GOING TO SUPPLY HER WITH A RENTAL CAR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ, AND THEY TOLD HER TO GO THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10139548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phildelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320 RECEIVED RECALL 03V121000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL MB 2003-040005, AND WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH DEALERSHIP. THE RECALL IS ON NHTSA # 03V121000 AND MB # 2003-040005 THE DEALERSHIP WAS TELLING HER THAT THEY COULD NOT GET THE PARTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET THEM. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING ON PARTS FOR TWO WEEKS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE THE CONTACT'S TELEPHONE CALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THE SALESMAN WILL NOT RESPOND. SHE WAS GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR RECALL WORK ON MB 2003-040005 CONCERNING THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THE DEALERSHIP THEN CHECKED THE CAR ON 9-29-05. THE DEALERSHIP WAS TELLING HER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. MERCEDES BENZ WAS NOT GOING TO SUPPLY HER WITH A RENTAL CAR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ, AND THEY TOLD HER TO GO THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10139548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesFallbrook, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SENT OUT A TEAM OF TECHNICIANS TO INVESTIGATE THE CRASH, AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT IN THE RIGHT SPOT. THUS, NOT ALLOWING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AS DESIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #10099524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL AND CONTROL ISSUES FROM THE OUTSET. *PH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10067469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL AND CONTROL ISSUES FROM THE OUTSET. *PH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10067469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL AND CONTROL ISSUES FROM THE OUTSET. *PH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10067469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL AND CONTROL ISSUES FROM THE OUTSET. *PH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10067469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL AND CONTROL ISSUES FROM THE OUTSET. *PH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10067469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL AND CONTROL ISSUES FROM THE OUTSET. *PH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10067469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 333,959 milesPiscataway, NJ
TIRES
TIRE TORE APART ALL AROUND, REELED OFF MY M.BENZ E 320.
NHTSA complaint #10043599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,230 milesConcord, MAFire1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE SEAT HEATER IN MY MERCEDES BENZ 320ML GAVE ME SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT PULLS TOO MANY AMPS. THEY HAVE BEEN EVASIVE IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RETURN OF MY VEHICLE, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS ON THE OWNERS' WEB SITE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM LEADING ME TO BELIEVE I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO SUFFER FROM AN OVER HEATED CAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10037183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hills, CACrash
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2000 MERCEDES BENZ...REAR GLASS EXPLODED AND CONCERNS ABOUT BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE BRAKES DIDN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND IT TOOK EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GLASS IMPLOLDED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE WINDOW REPAIR, IT IMPLODED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF PURCHASE OR A REPLACEMENT. *SCC. THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, HOWEVER DID NOT STATE IN DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10022740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hills, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2000 MERCEDES BENZ...REAR GLASS EXPLODED AND CONCERNS ABOUT BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE BRAKES DIDN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND IT TOOK EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GLASS IMPLOLDED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE WINDOW REPAIR, IT IMPLODED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF PURCHASE OR A REPLACEMENT. *SCC. THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, HOWEVER DID NOT STATE IN DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10022740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laguna Niguel, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE CAR HAD SUDDENLY LEAKED ITS POWER STEERING FLUID! THANK GOD IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT VERSUS ON SOME WINDING ROAD. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FLETCHER JONES AND KEN DENAULT, A SERVICE SPECIALIST, CALLED TO CONFIRM THEY HAD THE CAR. MY WIFE TOOK THE CALL AND TOLD HIM THAT ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAD RUN OUT OF THE CAR. HIS REPLY WAS THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE, "IF A CLAMP ON THE HOSE COMES LOOSE THEN THE FLUID COULD LEAK OUT". HE TOLD HER THEY WOULD PUT A NEWER TYPE CLAMP ON THE HOSE. LATER IN THE SAME DAY DURING A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH KEN DENAULT, HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEY WOULD PUT A BETTER CLAMP ON THE HOSE. MY REPLY WAS THAT THIS COULD BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND HE AGEED. I ASKED HIM WHY THEY WERE LETTING ME DRIVE AROUND WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T FLETCHER JONES' RESPONSIBLITY FOR A RECALL, IT WAS MERCEDES' RESPONSIBLITY. THE NET OF ALL THIS, ALONG WITH OTHER UNRELATED INCIDENTS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WERE ALSO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR AND BOTH OF US WILL NOT TAKE THE CAR ON ANY TRIPS. I FEEL UNEASY DRIVING THE CAR AND HAVE ANOTHER YEAR LEFT ON THE LEASE. CAN YOUR AGENCY ASSIST IN MAKING OTHERS AWARE THEY ARE DRIVING IN A CAR THAT THE STEERING COULD FAIL? FLETCHER JONES IS AWARE OF THIS BUT APPARENTLY HAS DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS. MR
NHTSA complaint #767855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, NY
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER HAD STEERING BOX REPLACED. AND ALSO BUSHING IN THE STEERING BOX HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHEN MAKING A TURN STEERING WILL MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #896493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.