2001 Mercedes Benz C320 problems

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that there was rust on the bottom of the driver’s side and passenger’s side door panels. The contact stated that the water ran down, enter the door, and then failed to properly drain. The contact stated there were no drain plugs or holes for the water to drain from the door. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who took photos, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA complaint #11552668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11468619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER, LOCATED IN MESA, AZ, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF FAILED CLOSE, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE DURING A CAR WASH. THE CONTACT STATED HAT THE ROOF LINING WAS DAMAGED FROM THE WATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11326538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE HEADLINER. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11090591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT A STRANGE CHURPING SOUND GOES OFF IN MY CAR CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DIE AGAIN. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN MY CAR HAS DIED IN AT NIGHT IN STRANGE AREAS AND I HAVE TO ALONE AND UNSAFELY JUMP MY CAR AND SIT UNTIL MY JUMPER PROVIDES MY BATTERY WITH ENOUGH JUICE TO START MY CAR. WHEN I AM DRIVING MY FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE MY BATTERY ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO POWER THE EVERYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10885314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT A STRANGE CHURPING SOUND GOES OFF IN MY CAR CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DIE AGAIN. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN MY CAR HAS DIED IN AT NIGHT IN STRANGE AREAS AND I HAVE TO ALONE AND UNSAFELY JUMP MY CAR AND SIT UNTIL MY JUMPER PROVIDES MY BATTERY WITH ENOUGH JUICE TO START MY CAR. WHEN I AM DRIVING MY FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE MY BATTERY ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO POWER THE EVERYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10885314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT A STRANGE CHURPING SOUND GOES OFF IN MY CAR CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DIE AGAIN. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN MY CAR HAS DIED IN AT NIGHT IN STRANGE AREAS AND I HAVE TO ALONE AND UNSAFELY JUMP MY CAR AND SIT UNTIL MY JUMPER PROVIDES MY BATTERY WITH ENOUGH JUICE TO START MY CAR. WHEN I AM DRIVING MY FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE MY BATTERY ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO POWER THE EVERYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10885314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAD A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH MANY REPAIR SHOP VISITS. I HAVE 109,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW. THE ISSUE THAT KEPT OCCURRING IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT KEEPS COMING OFF. I ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE PART ITSELF IS $350. I CAN BUY THE WHOLE DOOR FOR $300 AT THE SCRAP YARD. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE ITS THE GLUE AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMID WEATHER IS AFFECTING IT? I DID HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DRAINED SO QUICKLY. I THINK THE BATTERY WAS JUST BAD AND ITS BEEN FINE EVER SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10863638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAD A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH MANY REPAIR SHOP VISITS. I HAVE 109,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW. THE ISSUE THAT KEPT OCCURRING IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT KEEPS COMING OFF. I ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE PART ITSELF IS $350. I CAN BUY THE WHOLE DOOR FOR $300 AT THE SCRAP YARD. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE ITS THE GLUE AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMID WEATHER IS AFFECTING IT? I DID HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DRAINED SO QUICKLY. I THINK THE BATTERY WAS JUST BAD AND ITS BEEN FINE EVER SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10863638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND TWO DAYS LATER THE SMART KEY WON'T TURN, CAN'T UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SHIFFTER THE GOOD THINK THE CAR WAS PARKED ON MY DRIVE WAY CALL TOW TRUCK TAKE TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAY I NEED A NEW KEY AND IGNITION CONTROL MODULE BUT ONLY DEALER CAN DO THAT, $1,400.00 DOLLARS JOB

NHTSA complaint #10861059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND TWO DAYS LATER THE SMART KEY WON'T TURN, CAN'T UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SHIFFTER THE GOOD THINK THE CAR WAS PARKED ON MY DRIVE WAY CALL TOW TRUCK TAKE TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAY I NEED A NEW KEY AND IGNITION CONTROL MODULE BUT ONLY DEALER CAN DO THAT, $1,400.00 DOLLARS JOB

NHTSA complaint #10861059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I BOUGHT A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320 VEHICLE USED ON 9/19. AFTER TAKING IT HOME, I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE PETAL. I DOUBLE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WAS OFF AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT A HIGH SPEED, UP TO 55MPH.WHEN I DRIVE, I AM CONSTANTLY HITTING THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM COLLIDING WITH OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE RPMS REACH 30,000 AND THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ACCELERATING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY ERROR CODES ON THIS CAR, SO HOW WAS THE CAR DEALERSHIP ABLE TO SELL THIS CAR LEGALLY? I NEED TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE ASAP. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10775486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT CONTROL MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10670959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AT 55 MPH THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS RELEASES, THE BAS AND ESC FAULTS ARE THEN VISIBLE ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES TWO TIMES, BUT THIS CONDITION SHOWS UP AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING , CODES SHOW THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR CONNECTION IS AT FAULT. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE FAULT WARNING DASH LIGHTS ESC AND BAS WILL COME ON WITH NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A COLLISION FROM A VEHICLE FOLLOWING ME AND RUNNING INTO ME . MANY OTHERS POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ? I HAVE 8 GRANDCHILDREN THAT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10618834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

AT 55 MPH THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS RELEASES, THE BAS AND ESC FAULTS ARE THEN VISIBLE ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES TWO TIMES, BUT THIS CONDITION SHOWS UP AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING , CODES SHOW THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR CONNECTION IS AT FAULT. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE FAULT WARNING DASH LIGHTS ESC AND BAS WILL COME ON WITH NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A COLLISION FROM A VEHICLE FOLLOWING ME AND RUNNING INTO ME . MANY OTHERS POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ? I HAVE 8 GRANDCHILDREN THAT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10618834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

AT 55 MPH THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS RELEASES, THE BAS AND ESC FAULTS ARE THEN VISIBLE ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES TWO TIMES, BUT THIS CONDITION SHOWS UP AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING , CODES SHOW THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR CONNECTION IS AT FAULT. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE FAULT WARNING DASH LIGHTS ESC AND BAS WILL COME ON WITH NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A COLLISION FROM A VEHICLE FOLLOWING ME AND RUNNING INTO ME . MANY OTHERS POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ? I HAVE 8 GRANDCHILDREN THAT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10618834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE "MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY" (MFD) SCREEN IN THE DASH FADES WITH INTERIOR HEAT (IN SUMMER) AND EVENTUALLY FAILS OVER TIME. THE MFD DISPLAYS ALL CRITICAL VEHICLE OPERATION INFORMATION (SUCH AS COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNINGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION, ETC.), AND ALL NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE FAULT CODES THAT OCCUR. WITHOUT THE INFORMATION VISIBLE, THE OWNER CAN'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL GAUGES SERVING AS BACK-UP. FURTHER, THE VEHICLE ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE IN THE MFD. WITHOUT AN OPERATING MFD, THE OWNER CANNOT VIEW, OR CERTIFY THE CORRECT ODOMETER MILEAGE, REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW WHEN SELLING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR SUBSEQUENT OWNER. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN FAULT ACROSS SEVERAL MERCEDES MODELS. DEALERS OFFER TO REPLACE THE MFD, AT CONSIDERABLE OWNER EXPENSE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE ODOMETER ISSUE, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THE DISPLAY AT ZERO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10617540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE "MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY" (MFD) SCREEN IN THE DASH FADES WITH INTERIOR HEAT (IN SUMMER) AND EVENTUALLY FAILS OVER TIME. THE MFD DISPLAYS ALL CRITICAL VEHICLE OPERATION INFORMATION (SUCH AS COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNINGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION, ETC.), AND ALL NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE FAULT CODES THAT OCCUR. WITHOUT THE INFORMATION VISIBLE, THE OWNER CAN'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL GAUGES SERVING AS BACK-UP. FURTHER, THE VEHICLE ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE IN THE MFD. WITHOUT AN OPERATING MFD, THE OWNER CANNOT VIEW, OR CERTIFY THE CORRECT ODOMETER MILEAGE, REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW WHEN SELLING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR SUBSEQUENT OWNER. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN FAULT ACROSS SEVERAL MERCEDES MODELS. DEALERS OFFER TO REPLACE THE MFD, AT CONSIDERABLE OWNER EXPENSE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE ODOMETER ISSUE, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THE DISPLAY AT ZERO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10617540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE "MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY" (MFD) SCREEN IN THE DASH FADES WITH INTERIOR HEAT (IN SUMMER) AND EVENTUALLY FAILS OVER TIME. THE MFD DISPLAYS ALL CRITICAL VEHICLE OPERATION INFORMATION (SUCH AS COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNINGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION, ETC.), AND ALL NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE FAULT CODES THAT OCCUR. WITHOUT THE INFORMATION VISIBLE, THE OWNER CAN'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL GAUGES SERVING AS BACK-UP. FURTHER, THE VEHICLE ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE IN THE MFD. WITHOUT AN OPERATING MFD, THE OWNER CANNOT VIEW, OR CERTIFY THE CORRECT ODOMETER MILEAGE, REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW WHEN SELLING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR SUBSEQUENT OWNER. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN FAULT ACROSS SEVERAL MERCEDES MODELS. DEALERS OFFER TO REPLACE THE MFD, AT CONSIDERABLE OWNER EXPENSE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE ODOMETER ISSUE, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THE DISPLAY AT ZERO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10617540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL AS STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS, SO THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT, AND UNSAFE, BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES, WHEN I HAVE TO PLUG THE MODULE IN ADJUST MY SEAT OR STEERING WHEEL, AND IT DOES NOT WORK, AND I'M STUCK WITH THE SEATS OR STEERING WHEEL IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE (STOP) LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, ETC., IN WHICH THE VEHICLE INDICATOR STATES THAT PARTICULAR LIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING, AND THEN AFTER AWHILE IT GOES AWAY, AND THEN DAYS LATER, THE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY REPLACING BULBS. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2004 WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10585499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL AS STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS, SO THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT, AND UNSAFE, BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES, WHEN I HAVE TO PLUG THE MODULE IN ADJUST MY SEAT OR STEERING WHEEL, AND IT DOES NOT WORK, AND I'M STUCK WITH THE SEATS OR STEERING WHEEL IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE (STOP) LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, ETC., IN WHICH THE VEHICLE INDICATOR STATES THAT PARTICULAR LIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING, AND THEN AFTER AWHILE IT GOES AWAY, AND THEN DAYS LATER, THE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY REPLACING BULBS. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2004 WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10585499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL AS STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS, SO THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT, AND UNSAFE, BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES, WHEN I HAVE TO PLUG THE MODULE IN ADJUST MY SEAT OR STEERING WHEEL, AND IT DOES NOT WORK, AND I'M STUCK WITH THE SEATS OR STEERING WHEEL IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE (STOP) LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, ETC., IN WHICH THE VEHICLE INDICATOR STATES THAT PARTICULAR LIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING, AND THEN AFTER AWHILE IT GOES AWAY, AND THEN DAYS LATER, THE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY REPLACING BULBS. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2004 WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10585499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,277.

NHTSA complaint #10577314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,277.

NHTSA complaint #10577314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.