2003 Mercedes Benz E320 transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

ON JUNE 6, 2013, WHILE BRAKING ON APPROACHING INTERSECTION, BRAKES FAILED AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED. MERCEDES CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER, M-B GREENWAY, HOUSTON, TX, WHERE THE SERVICE ADVISOR EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESSURE RESERVOIR OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE UNIT HAD FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,350. I COMPLAINED THAT THE SBC UNIT WAS THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 05V0133 AND TWO MBUSA RECALL CAMPAIGNS (2005070007 AND 2005110001) RESULTING IN THE EXTENSION OF THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE SBC UNIT, BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CODE REQUIRED BY MB USA, LLC FOR A DEALER TO FILE A WARRANTY CLAIM UNDER THE NHTSA 05V033 CAMPAIGN DID NOT APPEAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. I PAID THE DISPUTED $1,350 CHARGE AND DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 6 MILES ON JUNE 6, 2013, AND THE BRAKES AGAIN FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED. MERCEDES CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TOWED IT BACK TO M-B GREENWEAY, WHERE THE SERVICE STATED THE ENTIRE SBC UNIT HAD FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,030. I COMPLAINED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS MANDATED AT NO COST BY NHTSA 05V0133, BUT SHE SAID MB USA LLC WOULD ALLOW THE DEALER TO HONOR THE SBC WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS "DRIVEN OUT OF THE SHOP." SHE ALSO REFUSED TO CREDIT THE $1,350 CHARGE I PAID FOR THE SBC PRESSURE RESERVOIR REPLACEMENT, BUT OFFERED TO "DISCOUNT" THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE SBC UNIT TO "$1,799."

NHTSA complaint #10515668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

CAR IS USED ONLY FOR WORK AND MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING FOR APPOINTMENTS. AT 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE E320. AN INVESTIGATION REVELED THAT A VALVE HAD FAILED IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE TO MIX IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH IN TURN BURNT OUT PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO THERE IS HESITATION WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR SOMETIMES SPUTTERS TO SHUT OFF WHEN STOPPING.

NHTSA complaint #10508642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY 2003 MERCEDES E320 HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND STRUTS STARTED TO PRESENT PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 78,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE PARKING PRAWNS DUE A LEAK IN THE BACK OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE BUSHING ON THE LEFT SIDE ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I JUST HAD A BUSHING REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, WHICH WAS A BIT PRICEY. WHEN THEY REPLACED ONE OF THE BUSHINGS UNDER WARRANTY A FEW YEARS AGO, THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THEM. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS WITH THIS CAR. I PURCHASED IT WITH ONLY 37 MILES ON IT IN SEPTEMBER 2003, BUT REPLACEMENT OF A NUMBER OF PARTS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY NOW LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR WAS A LEMON FROM THE BEGINNING. IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE THE AIR PUMP REPLACED AT 73,000 MILES? AGAIN, THAT WAS A PRICEY REPAIR -- $1100.00.

NHTSA complaint #10425142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND SPUTTER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH CAUSED THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO FAIL. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $3,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10276124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

I PURCHASED A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 CUSTOM ORDERED. THERE ARE ERRATIC, INCONSISTENT,INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF DEFECTIVE BRAKE OPERATION, RADIO,CD,SEAT CONTROLS,INSTRUMENTATION,WINDOWS CONTROL,TIRE PRESSURE INDICATION, RESTRAINT SYSTEM,TRANSMISSION OPERATION, SRS SYSTEM. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR RANDOMLY. TWICE,WHEN I NEEDED TO BRAKE QUICKLY THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKE ASSIST FEATURE DID NOT WORK. THE CAR'S BRAKES ARE TERRIBLE AND UNRELIABLE, AND CONSTITUTE SAFETY DANGER ON THE ROAD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED BY CAR INDICATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALL OR MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GATEWAY MODULE*SOFTWARE*.THE CAN-BUS SYSTEM ON CAR,WHICH ALSO CONTROLS BRAKES,DOES NOT HAVE CORRECTLY-OPERATIONS OF WARE,AND IT AFFECTS MOST ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS IN THE CAR. THERE ARE DATA COLLISIONS AND PACKET CONFLICTS ON THE BUS BECAUSE THE SOFTWARE IS NOT WRITTEN CORRECTLY OR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE IS OVERLOADED. READING OVER THE 55 2003 E320 COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE,IT IS CLEAR THAT MOST OF THEM ARE DUE TO THIS SOFTWARE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE SELLING DEALER ,MERCEDES BENZ OF SAN DIEGO,*OVER 50 TIMES*DURING THE YEARS 2003-2007 WITH NO SOLUTION. THE CAR WARRANTY IS SET TO EXPIRE IN A WEEK, AND THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT YET FIXED. THE NHTSB DEMAND MERCEDES BENZ EITHER REDESIGN THE SYSTEM OR REWRITE THE SOFTWARE AND TEST IT FOR ABOUT 40,000 HOURS, OR REPLACE THE VEHICLES WITH POST-2003 E-CLASS MODELS, FREE OF CHARGE THE NHTSB HAS BEEN DUPED BY MERCEDES BENZ INTO BELIEVING THAT REPLACING HARDWARE COMPONENTS SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS THE NHTSB SHOULD TEST THE NETWORK SOFTWARE BY EXAMINING DATA FLOWS AND FUNCTION CALLS DURING THE OPERATION OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEM FEATURES OF AN E320 AND DIAGNOSE FOR DATA COLLISIONS AND PACKET CONFLICTS DURING AUTOMOBILE FEATURE OPERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10182851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR HESITATING AND JERKING FIRST FEW TIMES THEY FIXED IT THEN MY CAR STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC GOING 40 MILES PER HOUR, THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AFTER CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION IT STOPPED AGAIN ON THE STREET GOING 30 MILES PER HOUR. MY CAR IS STILL HESITATING AND JERKING. I AM SO TIRED OF TAKING THE CAR IN ALL THE TIME AND THEM GIVING ME A RENTAL, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THINK ITS FUNNY THAT I HAVE DRIVEN A RENTAL SO MANY TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TOTAL OF ABOUT 50-60 DAYS TOTAL. MERCEDES WILL NOT GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK OR CHANGE MY CAR. I NEED HELP PLEASE BEFORE MY CAR STOPS ON ME AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEONE HITS ME OR I HIT SOMEONE.

NHTSA complaint #10169373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY CAR HAS STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING. THEN AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING IT STOPPED ON THE STREET. ALSO IT JERKS AND HESITATES OFTEN. I AM AFRAID ITS GOING TO STOP ANYTIME. THE DEALER WILL NOT GIVE ME A NEW CAR OR MY MONEY BACK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 16 DIFFERENT TIMES AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 45 DAYS TOTAL. MY LEASE IS GOING TO BE UP IN ABOUT 4 MONTHS, I THINK THAT IS MY THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10168315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

GENERALLY CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HESITATES TO MOTION WHEN IMMEDIATELY PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE IN GEAR VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, RESULTING IN A JERK.

NHTSA complaint #10101239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10089753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED A MERCEDES-BENZ E320 IN JUNE 2003 AND HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE AN ISSUE INVOLVING UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION AND SPEED "SURGES" SINCE SEPTEMBER 2003. THE CONDITION SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS APPROACHING LOW SPEEDS OR IN A DOWNHILL PLANE THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DURING FIVE (5) SERVICE APPOINTMENTS AND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE UNCONTROLLED POWER, OR ACCELERATION, FLUCTUATIONS. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE USING M-B ADVICE; WITHOUT SUCCESS. M-B REPRESENTATIVES HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THIS CONDITION EXISTS AS WELL; BUT, THAT IT IS NOT A "WARRANTABLE DEFECT." THIS "SURGING" HAS FURTHER DEVELOPED INTO "BUCKING" ON SEVERAL OCCCASIONS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA REGARDING THE E320 WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP IS DESCRIBED. I DO BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE POWER / SPEED FLUCTUATIONS OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10072594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE NOISE OCCURRED AT LEAST 23 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10073519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.