FaultScore

FaultScore report

1996 Mercedes Benz C220 problems

Owners have filed 44 complaints about the 1996 Mercedes Benz C220 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2018. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.

C

FaultScore 58/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

44

Complaints

6

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

110,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

16%

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 45 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 27 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 45
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C220. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 27
16% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1996 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 1996 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 78,393 mi

Engine & Cooling 6 13.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 94,655 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 5 11.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 94,655 mi

Brakes 3 6.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 110,000 mi

Airbags 3 6.8%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 128,000 mi

Seat Belts 2 4.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 4.5%

Median failure at 88,000 miles

Suspension 2 4.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 162,500 mi

Body & Structure 2 4.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 167,000 mi

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.3%
Stability & Traction Control 1 2.3%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

When it fails

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

Under 1,000 miles 1 4.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 12.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 8.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 6 24.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 8 32.0%
150,000+ miles 5 20.0%

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 1997 peak 3 Oct 2018

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 128,000 miles Tempe, AZ 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL; MAYBE. I WAS DRIVING ON FWY-405, HEADING SOUTH, IT WAS AROUND 4:00PM. I WAS GOING THE TRAFFIC SPEED. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC JAM. MY SPEED WAS BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH (THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION). I DIDN'T HIT MY BREAKS, I WAS DRIVING UNDER THE CONDITIONS I JUST STATED; THEN ALL THE SUDDEN MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE; THEN IMMEDIATELY (ALMOST SPONTANEOUSLY) THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED TOO. I TRIED MY BEST TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP TAKING TWO LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE HAD STOPPED. THE AFTERMATH AFTER: COMPLETE STOP, SMOKE AND SMILE OF DEPLOYED AIRBAGS, A NON STOP SOUND OF THE HORN, AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN A DRIVE MODE (IT WAS SHIFTED). I SWITCHED THE CAR KEY AND THE HORN NOISE STOPPED. THEN I CALLED 911.

NHTSA complaint #11142669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Berkeley, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

CAR HAD UNEXPECTED ACCELLERATON DURING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN IN AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP LIGHT; PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE FORWARD ACCELLERATION, CRASHED INTO A WALL, OCCURRED DOWNTOWN, EARLY EVENING, NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS HIT; DRIVER INJURED. DRIVER NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. BRAKES SERVICED RECENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10948376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Berkeley, CA Crash

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR HAD UNEXPECTED ACCELLERATON DURING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN IN AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP LIGHT; PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE FORWARD ACCELLERATION, CRASHED INTO A WALL, OCCURRED DOWNTOWN, EARLY EVENING, NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS HIT; DRIVER INJURED. DRIVER NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. BRAKES SERVICED RECENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10948376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Madison, WI Crash

SUSPENSION

UPPER SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY FROM CAR CAUSING MY 16YEAR OLD SON TO CRASH. I BOUGHT THE 1996 C220 FOR HIM FOR SAFETY. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10630565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Madison, WI Crash

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

UPPER SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY FROM CAR CAUSING MY 16YEAR OLD SON TO CRASH. I BOUGHT THE 1996 C220 FOR HIM FOR SAFETY. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10630565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Macomb, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES C220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND STARTED SMOKING. THE VEHICLE STALLED MOMENTS AFTER THE SMOKING BEGAN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10418489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 128,000 miles Tempe, AZ 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL; MAYBE. I WAS DRIVING ON FWY-405, HEADING SOUTH, IT WAS AROUND 4:00PM. I WAS GOING THE TRAFFIC SPEED. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC JAM. MY SPEED WAS BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH (THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION). I DIDN'T HIT MY BREAKS, I WAS DRIVING UNDER THE CONDITIONS I JUST STATED; THEN ALL THE SUDDEN MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE; THEN IMMEDIATELY (ALMOST SPONTANEOUSLY) THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED TOO. I TRIED MY BEST TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP TAKING TWO LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE HAD STOPPED. THE AFTERMATH AFTER: COMPLETE STOP, SMOKE AND SMILE OF DEPLOYED AIRBAGS, A NON STOP SOUND OF THE HORN, AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN A DRIVE MODE (IT WAS SHIFTED). I SWITCHED THE CAR KEY AND THE HORN NOISE STOPPED. THEN I CALLED 911.

NHTSA complaint #11142669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 217 miles Kenmore, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WIRING THROUGHOUT VEHICLE IS INSULATED WITH A BIO-DEGRADABLE PLASTIC. SHORTING OUT OF IGNITION AND EMISSION LOOMS KILL MANY WHO STALL ON FREEWAYS AND 'INCONVENIENT SPOTS'. THE INSULATION FLAKES OFF LIKE CORN FLAKES AND ELECTRICAL LOSS IN MANY LOOMS DISABLE AND IMPERAL OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA complaint #11130704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Berkeley, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

CAR HAD UNEXPECTED ACCELLERATON DURING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN IN AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP LIGHT; PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE FORWARD ACCELLERATION, CRASHED INTO A WALL, OCCURRED DOWNTOWN, EARLY EVENING, NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS HIT; DRIVER INJURED. DRIVER NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. BRAKES SERVICED RECENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10948376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Berkeley, CA Crash

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR HAD UNEXPECTED ACCELLERATON DURING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN IN AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP LIGHT; PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE FORWARD ACCELLERATION, CRASHED INTO A WALL, OCCURRED DOWNTOWN, EARLY EVENING, NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS HIT; DRIVER INJURED. DRIVER NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. BRAKES SERVICED RECENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10948376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Lakeland, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S

NHTSA complaint #10780157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Lakeland, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S

NHTSA complaint #10780157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Lakeland, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S

NHTSA complaint #10780157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wenatchee, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 1996 MERCEDES C220 HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF INSULATION THAT MERCEDES USED FOR THE WIRING AND THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP. MERCEDES USED A BIO-DEGRADABLE WIRE COVER THAT WITH HIGH TEMPS CRACKS AND FALLS OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH, STALL AND LOOSE POWER AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL BY MERCEDES. MERCEDES HAS BEEN OF NO HELP EXCEPT FOR ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10682786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wenatchee, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 1996 MERCEDES C220 HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF INSULATION THAT MERCEDES USED FOR THE WIRING AND THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP. MERCEDES USED A BIO-DEGRADABLE WIRE COVER THAT WITH HIGH TEMPS CRACKS AND FALLS OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH, STALL AND LOOSE POWER AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL BY MERCEDES. MERCEDES HAS BEEN OF NO HELP EXCEPT FOR ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10682786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,655 miles Santa Maria, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10664150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,655 miles Santa Maria, CA

ENGINE

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10664150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,655 miles Santa Maria, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10664150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,000 miles Wake Forest, NC

SUSPENSION

DURING BRAKE INSPECTION RIGHT FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS OBSERVED TO BE ON VERGE OF FAILURE DUE TO INTERNAL RUST OUT OF CONTROL ARM AT THE BALL JOINT JUNCTION. WHEEL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED FROM CONTROL ARM WITHIN A FEW MORE MILES AS THE CONTROL ARM WAS ALREADY SPLIT APART WITH ONLY A THREAD OF METAL REMAINING. FAILURE AT ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING.

NHTSA complaint #10661234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Madison, WI Crash

SUSPENSION

UPPER SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY FROM CAR CAUSING MY 16YEAR OLD SON TO CRASH. I BOUGHT THE 1996 C220 FOR HIM FOR SAFETY. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10630565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Madison, WI Crash

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

UPPER SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY FROM CAR CAUSING MY 16YEAR OLD SON TO CRASH. I BOUGHT THE 1996 C220 FOR HIM FOR SAFETY. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10630565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles NYC, NY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR WENT DEAD.

NHTSA complaint #10597109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Waterloo, IA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING.

NHTSA complaint #10490640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Waterloo, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING.

NHTSA complaint #10490640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Waterloo, IA

ENGINE

WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING.

NHTSA complaint #10490640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schaumburg, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RECENTLY THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WAS SHOWING THE VEHICLE AS HEATING UP. THE TEMP WOULD REACH CLOSE TO 120 F. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY OUR MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL WIRING TO BE REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT IF NOT REPLACED, THE CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY CATCH ON FIRE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IS FAULTY NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY MERCEDES FOR FAULTY WIRING. THE WIRING HAS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND THE WIRES ARE COMPLETELY EXPOSED AND IF THE WIRES HAPPEN TO TOUCH EACH OTHER, THAT IS WHAT WILL CAUSE THE FIRE. IN ORDER TO GET THESE WIRES REPLACED, IT WILL COST WELL OVER $1500.00 TO REPLACE ALL THE WIRING.

NHTSA complaint #10445895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alhambra, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WIRING HARNESS DAMAGED CAUSING DECREASED PERFORMANCE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY.

NHTSA complaint #10439208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MA Comb, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS DRIVING HOME, WHEN I HEARD THE SEAT BELT START SQUEAKING, THEN AFTER A WHILE I SMELLED SMOKE AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE DIED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I PUSHED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD TO LET THE SMOKE OUT. I WAS THINKING I WAS OUT OF COOLANT, BUT THE RESERVOIR TANK WAS FULL. I WAITED FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR TO LET THE ENGINE COOL OFF, BEFORE RESTARTING THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED AFTER THE 3RD TRY, BUT THE SQUEAKING WAS GETTING LOUDER AS I STARTED DRIVING HOME. I WENT DROVE TO THE STORE WITH MY OTHER CAR TO BUY A BELT DRESSER OR BELT SPRAY AND SPRAYED IT ON THE BELT. I WENT TO CHECK ONLINE TO FIND THE CLOSEST MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR SHOP AND RAN ACROSS THE EDMOND.COM WEBSITE AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1996 MB C220 REGARDING THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY WITH RECALL# 96V058000 AND T HEN CALLED MBUSA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALLED MODEL, BUT SHE TOLD ME THAT MY CAR'S VIN# WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. SO WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ON EDMOND.COM WHEN THE RECALL SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. UPDATED 08/31/11

NHTSA complaint #10423509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Macomb, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES C220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND STARTED SMOKING. THE VEHICLE STALLED MOMENTS AFTER THE SMOKING BEGAN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10418489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Atlanta, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WIRE INSULATION IS BEGINNING TO BIODEGRADE AND CRUMBLE APART. CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS WITHOUT A REPLACEMENT PART, WHICH COSTS NO LESS THAN $1350 (FOR A WIRE BUNDLE AND HOOKUPS THAT ARE DOOMED TO FAIL AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY), PLUS 4-7 HOURS OF LABOR COSTS. CAR HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT AND IS IN OTHERWISE GREAT CONDITION. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC, HE SAID ANYONE WHO OWNS THIS MAKE OF CAR WILL HAVE A MANDATORY $2000 WIRE HARNESS REPLACEMENT FEE SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY (AT LEAST ONCE, IF NOT EVERY FEW YEARS). EVEN WITH A REPLACEMENT, IT WILL ONLY POSTPONE THE ISSUE UNTIL THE NEW ONE INEVITABLY BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN. EXTREMELY POOR AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN! MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MASSIVE DESIGN FLAW AFFECTING ALL CARS OF SEVERAL SIMILAR MODELS WITHIN A HALF-DECADE OR MORE TIME FRAME. THE MAKERS OF THE FAULTY PART ARE MAKING BANK OFF OF MANDATORY REPAIRS AND PART REPLACEMENTS DUE TO THEIR OWN NEGLIGENCE. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG AND UNETHICAL, AND THE MAKERS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND BE FORCED TO RECALL THE PART.

NHTSA complaint #10386348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burien, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO START (DOESN'T FIRE IMMEDIATELY), THE IDLE SPEED RACES HIGHER AND LOWER WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE CAR LOOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT.

NHTSA complaint #10246033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.