FaultScore

FaultScore report

1994 Mercedes Benz C220 problems

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 1994 Mercedes Benz C220 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2015. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.

B

FaultScore 33/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz C220.

How this is worked out

The numbers

39

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

150,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

4%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 40 vs 50 Severity 40 vs 50 Early failure 6 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 40
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C220. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 40
7.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 6
4% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1994 compares with every other Mercedes Benz C220

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1994 Mercedes Benz C220

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 148,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 6 15.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 150,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 5 12.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 175,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 2 5.1%

Median failure at 233,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 2.6%

Median failure at 166,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 2.6%

Median failure at 166,000 miles

Seat Belts 1 2.6%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 3.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 6 22.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 14.8%
150,000+ miles 16 59.3%

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.

Mar 1999 peak 6 Aug 2015

Recalls on the 1994 Mercedes Benz C220

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

94V091000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE FACTORY INSTALLED CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY LUBRICATED, WHICH CAN CAUSE BINDING AND THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.

Risk: THE THROTTLE STICKING RESULTS IN A LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 150,000 miles Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10510009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10510009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10510009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 166,000 miles Oceanside, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING IN TRAFFIC EACH TIME THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. CUT OFF SHORTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAD 2 USE FOOT ON GAS,BRAKE TO GIVE CAR A WAY TO MOVE ON. FORCE MOVE. PUTTING AWFUL, JERK LIKE ALSO, DOG HIT DASH BOARD CUT RIGHT SIDE OF TONGUE.WHEN PARK AFTER INCIDENTS 3 TIMES. CAR WOULD SET, START ABOUT 15-30 MINS START ALL OVER AGAIN. HAD TO TOW HOME. BATTERY GO DEAD AFTER SET, THEN AT TIMES START WITHOUT CHARGE AT TIMES. AFRAID TO DRIVE TO SHOP AND PAY TOO MUCH FOR MECHANIC. HAD IT IN TRANNY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. SAID NOTHING FOUND.WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION SINCE OCT 2014. A SENIOR 69YRS. ALREADY BOUGHT CASH AND PAID MONIES FOR TIRES AND ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10760234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,000 miles Oceanside, CA

ENGINE

DRIVING IN TRAFFIC EACH TIME THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. CUT OFF SHORTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAD 2 USE FOOT ON GAS,BRAKE TO GIVE CAR A WAY TO MOVE ON. FORCE MOVE. PUTTING AWFUL, JERK LIKE ALSO, DOG HIT DASH BOARD CUT RIGHT SIDE OF TONGUE.WHEN PARK AFTER INCIDENTS 3 TIMES. CAR WOULD SET, START ABOUT 15-30 MINS START ALL OVER AGAIN. HAD TO TOW HOME. BATTERY GO DEAD AFTER SET, THEN AT TIMES START WITHOUT CHARGE AT TIMES. AFRAID TO DRIVE TO SHOP AND PAY TOO MUCH FOR MECHANIC. HAD IT IN TRANNY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. SAID NOTHING FOUND.WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION SINCE OCT 2014. A SENIOR 69YRS. ALREADY BOUGHT CASH AND PAID MONIES FOR TIRES AND ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10760234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,000 miles Oceanside, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DRIVING IN TRAFFIC EACH TIME THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. CUT OFF SHORTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAD 2 USE FOOT ON GAS,BRAKE TO GIVE CAR A WAY TO MOVE ON. FORCE MOVE. PUTTING AWFUL, JERK LIKE ALSO, DOG HIT DASH BOARD CUT RIGHT SIDE OF TONGUE.WHEN PARK AFTER INCIDENTS 3 TIMES. CAR WOULD SET, START ABOUT 15-30 MINS START ALL OVER AGAIN. HAD TO TOW HOME. BATTERY GO DEAD AFTER SET, THEN AT TIMES START WITHOUT CHARGE AT TIMES. AFRAID TO DRIVE TO SHOP AND PAY TOO MUCH FOR MECHANIC. HAD IT IN TRANNY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. SAID NOTHING FOUND.WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION SINCE OCT 2014. A SENIOR 69YRS. ALREADY BOUGHT CASH AND PAID MONIES FOR TIRES AND ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10760234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Matteson, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE HARNESS CRUMBLING/FALLING APART CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10660399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10510009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10510009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10510009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rocy Mount, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C220. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 214,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10433745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 194,000 miles Yeadon, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY C-220 BEGAN TO BE HARD TO START. IT ALSO HAD A NOISE OF RUNNING HARD. THEN IT STARTED SHUTTING OFF ON ME. I HAD IT CHECK OUT AND THE WIRES OF THE FUEL INJECTOR HARNESS JUST BEGAN TO CRUMBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10399870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,200 miles Greenville, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C220. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 55 MPH AND UNDER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ACTIVATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS INCREASED THE RISK OF A SERIOUS INJURY AND CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V091000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,200. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/10/08.

NHTSA complaint #10235760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Virginia Beach, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IT ALL STARTED WHEN I WAS WARMING UP THE CAR BEFORE WORK AND I WENT BACK INSIDE MY HOUSE WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR HAD SHUT OFF. LATER AT A STOP LIGHT THE CARS ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. I'M AT FEAR WHEN EVER I STOP THAT THE CAR MAY CUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WHEN RESET IT CAME BACK ON. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS IS DETERIORATING INSIDE. THE MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN SHOWED IT TO ME. THE COST TO REPAIR THE ENGINE HARNESS, I WAS QUOTED AND ESTIMATE OF $1700.00 MAYBE I WAS TOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10233236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles ST Helens, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AS I HAVE BEEN READING, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, YET NO RECALL HAS HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IS DISINTEGRATING FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN AGE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO EXHIBIT STALLING ISSUES AND ROUGH RUNNING, ALSO FAULT CODES ARE PRODUCED ON THE CAR COMPUTER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE AND FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10229382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles MT. Anagel, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

MY 1994 MERCEDES C220 VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOP RUNNING DURING A 120 MILE TRIP AT 10 PM. DURING COLD WEATHER MY PREGNANT WIFE AND I WERE LUCKY TO HAVE A SIGNAL ON OUR CELL PHONE WE CONTACTED AAA HAD TO WAIT 1 HOUR FINALLY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE NEXT DAY A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HE ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO AN INJECTORS WIRE HARNESS THAT LOST INSULATING CAPACITY CAUSING WIRES TO TOUCH EACH OTHER CREATING A CIRCUIT SHORT AND FUEL INJECTORS MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10209154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles MT. Anagel, OR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

MY 1994 MERCEDES C220 VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOP RUNNING DURING A 120 MILE TRIP AT 10 PM. DURING COLD WEATHER MY PREGNANT WIFE AND I WERE LUCKY TO HAVE A SIGNAL ON OUR CELL PHONE WE CONTACTED AAA HAD TO WAIT 1 HOUR FINALLY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE NEXT DAY A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HE ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO AN INJECTORS WIRE HARNESS THAT LOST INSULATING CAPACITY CAUSING WIRES TO TOUCH EACH OTHER CREATING A CIRCUIT SHORT AND FUEL INJECTORS MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10209154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. ABS LIGHT IS ON. SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING , CAR REVS AT HIGH RPM, FUEL GAUGE NOT PRECISE, CAR STARTS BY ITSELF, STARTER BURNED BECAUSE IT ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10208568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles West Sacramento, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING WHEN RELEASED AND DOES NOT CLOSE ENTIRELY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. HE WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY CONTROL HIS SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS NOT BEING PROPERLY LUBRICATED. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V091000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10203668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300,000 miles Henry, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING HARNESS DISINTEGRATED, SAID TO BE MADE OF CORNSTARCH IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH GERMAN GOVERNMENT MANDATE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERMOSTAT IN HIS VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING WARM ENOUGH WHICH THEN INCREASED THE VEHICLES ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WOULD ONLY HAPPEN IN THE WINTER. UPDATED 02/22/11

NHTSA complaint #10187623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300,000 miles Henry, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WIRING HARNESS DISINTEGRATED, SAID TO BE MADE OF CORNSTARCH IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH GERMAN GOVERNMENT MANDATE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERMOSTAT IN HIS VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING WARM ENOUGH WHICH THEN INCREASED THE VEHICLES ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WOULD ONLY HAPPEN IN THE WINTER. UPDATED 02/22/11

NHTSA complaint #10187623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 154,000 miles Newbury Park, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

MY 1994 MERCEDES C220 ENGINE WIRE HARNESS HAS DETERIORATED AND THE INSULATION IS DISINTEGRATING. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR MBZ, AND POSSES A SAFETY CONCERN WHEREBY THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE. MBZ USA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AND PROVIDE SOME MEANS TO HAVE OWNERS REPLACE THE HARNESS UNDER A SHARED COST PROGRAM.

NHTSA complaint #10174133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,000 miles Provo, UT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WHICH HAS CAUSED CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE CONTROL. ALMOST CAUSED A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF COMMUNICATION FROM THROTTLE SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #10173517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,000 miles Provo, UT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WHICH HAS CAUSED CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE CONTROL. ALMOST CAUSED A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF COMMUNICATION FROM THROTTLE SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #10173517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Abbotsford BC, 00

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR BEGAN TO SUFFER ELECTRICAL AND OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS. OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH, MY CAR WAS AT THE MECHANIC ALMOST EVERY DAY WITH ODD NEW PROBLEMS. MY WORST FEAR HAD COME TRUE, AS MY MECHANIC HAD WARNED ME. MY CAR'S WIRE HARNESS HAD BEGAN TO FALL APART, EVEN SIMPLY TOUCHING IS WOULD CAUSE IT TO DISINTERGRATED WHICH CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS FOR MY CAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME FOR THE EARLY 90S TO 95 MODEL YEARS THEY HAVE CHANGED MANY OF THE WIRE HARNESS ON THESE CAR'S. I CONTACTED MERCEDES WANTING TO WORK OUT A DEAL FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE WIRE HARNESSES, AND WAS TOLD NO SUCH PROBLEM EXISTED. CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS VERY RUDE TO ME, AND IT ENDED WITH MERCEDES ACCUSING ME OF CREATING A FALSE CLAIM TO EXTORT THE COMPANY. I WAS HURT BY THE WAY THEY TREATED ME, AND VOWED NEVER TO BUY A NEW MERCEDES AGAIN. I HAVE MY OLD WIRE HARNESS, AND YOU CAN'T EVEN TOUCH SOME SECTIONS OF IT...IT'LL SIMPLY FALL APART. IN THE END I PAID $2000 DOLLARS FOR A NEW HARNESS, INSTALL...FEW DAYS WORTH OF DIAGNOSIS TIME WAS ADDED TO THE BILL ALSO, AND THE POWER SURGES CAUSED MY BULBS AND SOME MINOR PARTS TO BLOW, IN TOTAL AFTER TAXES I WAS IN IT FOR $3000 DOLLARS. MERCEDES THINKS I'M LYING AND THIS PROBLEM NEVER EXISTED...CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS RUDE ENOUGH TO TELL ME, ITS NOT THEIR FAULT IF I GOT RIPPED OFF...EXACTLY RIPPED OFF BUYING A MERCEDES.

NHTSA complaint #10151271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,100 miles Lawrenceville, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST. CURRENTLY, IT HAS STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL 94V091000 FOR THE SAME YEAR/MAKE AND MODEL, HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10115892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,496 miles Pleasant Valley, NY

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

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10100973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,496 miles Pleasant Valley, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10100973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.