2003 Mercedes-Benz 240 Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THREE WHEEL ASSEMBLY BOLTS FRACTURED. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

NHTSA ID

10453319

Incident

Mar 27, 2012

Mileage

163,000 mi

AFTER PURCHASING CAR IN 2007 USED WITH 60K MILES, TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, DRIIVNG ONLY 40K OVER 4 YEARS,THE VEHECLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10452045

Incident

Nov 17, 2011

Mileage

100,000 mi

RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY FELL APART. WE HAD JUST GOT OFF OF I-90 WHEN I PULLED INTO MCDONALD'S AND THE FRONT WHEEL DISENGAGED AS THE AXLE COMPLETELY FELL APART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10353012

Incident

Dec 27, 2007

Mileage

108,782 mi

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE BROKE ON MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WHEN I SIMPLY WENT TO THE OPEN THE DOOR. I HAD TO SUPER GLUE THEM BACK ON SO I COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "COSMETIC" DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10341121

Incident

Mar 5, 2009

MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 4TH TIME ON 7/8/09 FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MERCEDES-BENZ TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (TAC) IN GERMANY TO OBTAIN PASSWORD FOR SPECIAL CODING REGARDING FUEL GAUGE IN CLUSTER AND PROGRAM. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL ON-GOING AND TO-DATE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10341100

Incident

Jul 8, 2009

Mileage

78,132 mi

MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 3RD TIME ON 1/27/09 FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE DEALER PERFORMED CODING TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - 67A GLITTLE (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10341098

Incident

Jan 27, 2009

Mileage

74,239 mi

MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 2ND TIME ON 10/06/08 (2ND TIME PROBLEM REPORTED) FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE PROGRAMMING WAS CHANGED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10341094

Incident

Oct 6, 2008

Mileage

70,992 mi

MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON 9/23/08 (1ST TIME OF PROBLEM REPORTED) FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THE AUXILIARY PUMP, MOUNTING PLATE, AND SEAL RING WERE REPLACED (SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH LIST OF ADDITIONAL DATES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10341093

Incident

Sep 23, 2008

Mileage

70,684 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES C240. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON A FREEWAY HE HEARD BANGING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THEN HE SAW SMOKE. AFTER HE PULLED OVER HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THE ENTIRE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL PUT N THE CLAIM AND THAT THEY WILL GIVE HIM A CALL BACK. WHEN THEY CALLED BACK THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14649.

NHTSA ID

10296291

Incident

Dec 12, 2009

Mileage

14,649 mi

2003 C240 MERCEDES BENZ HAS A DEFAULT CAUSING MY AIRBAG AND CARHORN NOT TO WORK WAS TOLD THAT CLOCKSPRING PART IS NO GOOD WHICH THEIR CARS ARE KNOWN TO GO BAD I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE HAVE NO AIRBAG TO PROTECT ME IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT I FEEL THAT MERCEDES SHOULD REPLACE THE PROB. *TR

NHTSA ID

10278565

Incident

Apr 9, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ 240. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR TURNING, THE NOISE WORSENED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND CONVERTER; HOWEVER, THE NOISE CONTINUED. LATER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THESE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,011 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,673. UPDATED 062909 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT AND RIGHT WATER PUMP FAILED ON DIFFERENT OCCASSONS.FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR MIXING WITH THE ANTI-FREEZE WHICH WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. UPDATED 07/01/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10273612

Incident

May 2, 2008

Mileage

37,011 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C-240. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE GEAR DISPLAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN THIRD GEAR, BUT IT FEELS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,300. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL HONOR WHATEVER THE DEALER DECLARES TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,500.

NHTSA ID

10269085

Incident

Apr 2, 2009

Mileage

89,000 mi

CAR HESITATES AT LOW SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10181548

Incident

Jan 28, 2007

Mileage

2,000 mi

I HAVE PURCHASED TWO VEHICLES FROM STADIUM AUTO, INC. @ 800 NORTH WATSON RD. ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76011 (817) 640-1400. ONE BEING A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRACK MOTOR 7 DAYS LATER (PER THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE TECH THAT SERVICED THE VEHICLE THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A BAD COLLISION. STADIUM AUTO APOLOGIZED AND SWITCHED ME OUT OF THE VOLKSWAGEN CONTRACT INTO A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ 240 (WHAT AN UPGRADE) BUT FOR THE SAME PRICE. THE MERCEDES HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE SHOP OF PARK PLACE MOTORCARS @ 6113 LEMON AVE. DALLAS, TEXAS 75209 214-526-8701 DUE TO MY SUSPENSIONS OF HOW THE CAR DRIVES AND SOUNDS. THE COMPLAINTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: JUNE 08, 2006 PROBLEM - LICENSE PLATE BULB BURNT OUT - REPLACED HORN INOPERABLE FUSE ELEMENT - REPLACED JUNE 22, 2006 PROBLEM - ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AT TIMES NO DETERMINATION LOUD TICKING NOISE STABILIZER BAR REPAIRED D R&R SWAY BAR LINKS. ALSO, VEHICLE COURTESY INSPECTION EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT EXCEPT THE SUSPENSION/STEERING. JULY 01, 2006 PROBLEM -THUMPING TYPE NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA INSTALLED PURGE CLIP/CLAMP. IN ADDITION, MOTOR CARS COURTESY INSPECTION PERFORMED. OCTOBER 03, 2006 ENGINE LIGHT ON/CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. OCTOBER 15, 2006 ENGINE FAILURE NEED A SHORT BLOCK- REPLACED . THE WARRANTY COMPANY WAY CALLED AND IT WAS DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD PAY. NOW AFTER THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSE TO PAY FULL AMOUNT DUE ONLY WILL PAY . CAR WARRANTIES DIRECT, LLC STATES THAT THE MERCEDES DEALER PARK PLACE IS CHARGING TOO MUCH. *JB

NHTSA ID

10173952

Incident

Oct 17, 2006

Mileage

540,000 mi

2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240'S BRAKES PULSATED WHILE STOPPING. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THE BRAKE DISCS HAD SURFACE PITTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE DISC COULD NOT BE MACHINED BECAUSE THEY LACKED HE METAL BACKING TO PERMIT RESURFACING. THE CONSUMER HAS THE DISC IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10169063

Incident

Sep 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY INDICATED AN EMPTY TANK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK GAUGES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH PANEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID

10159716

Incident

Jun 13, 2006

Mileage

30,000 mi

PIN CHEN, MY FATHER, WAS MAKING A SLOW U-TURN ON A SMALL STREET ABOUT 11 FEET WIDE (VICKIE STREET IN CERRITOS) ON JULY 29, 2003. WHILE HE WAS SLOWLY MARKING A U-TURN, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO THE CURB. I CONTACTED THE MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANT AND A MECHANIC, CHRIS FROM HOUSE OF IMPORT BUNEA PARK, CAME TO SCENE AND CHANGED THE FLAT TIRE. PIN CHEN DESCRIBED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED TO CHRIS. CHRIS RECOMMENDED HIM TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER CHECKUP. PIN DROVE THE CAR BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP, MERCEDES BENZ OF LONG BEACH, THAT AFTERNOON FOR A CHECK UP. I WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON JULY 30, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN EDWARDS STATED THAT THERE IS NO FAULT FOUND IN THEIR DIAGNOSTIC CODE. THE TEST ($95) WAS PERFORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MERCEDES COOPERATE REPRESENTATIVE. HE ALSO GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF THE DAMAGE, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY $2300. HE STATED THAT SINCE THERE IS NO FAULT FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, , MERCEDES BENZ OF LONG BEACH STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INCIDENT. DUE TO ITS MALFUNCTION, WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. WE WOULD LIKE FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

10030972

Incident

Jul 29, 2003

Mileage

2,320 mi

POORLY DESIGNED TIRE/RIM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10078891

Incident

May 5, 2004

Mileage

10 mi

VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS A BROKEN WIRE? LUCKY DID NOT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ID

10067583

Incident

Apr 19, 2004

Mileage

10,500 mi

COMPLAINT FILED WITH MERCEDES BENZ. THOSE 17-INCH WHEELS GET BENT EASILY THIS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR FEW MONTHS AGO, I HAVE BEEN TOLD TWICE BY MERCEDEZ THAT I NEED TO CHANGE THOSE RIMS. HERE IS A COMPLAINT, WHICH I FILED WITH MERCEDES BENZ:*AK I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE MERCEDES CAR WHICH I BOUGHT A FEW MONTHS AGO. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE MY TIRE RIMS TWICE AS THEY HAVE BEEN BENT. WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL ENQUIRIES, I AM TOLD THAT THESE CARS WHICH COME WITH THE 17 INCH RIMS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GET BENT EASILY. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CHANGE MY RIMS (ALL 4 WHEELS) AS AN OPTION TO AVOID MY PROBLEMS. IT IS EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING, THAT I WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADVISED OF THE ISSUES RELATING TO THESE 17-INCH RIMS WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR.*AK I HAVE DRIVEN A 10-YEAR OLD MAZDA PRIOR TO THIS, AND HAVE NEVER ONCE FACED THIS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADS OF NJ. AND WHEN I ENQUIRED ABOUT AS TO WHY A $30 K MERCEDES, SHOULD GIVE ME SUCH PROBLEMS, I HAVE BEEN REDIRECTED BETWEEN THE SALES AND SERVICE MANAGERS AT THE MORRISTOWN MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $500 ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, TO CHANGE A DAMAGED RIM AND TIRE, AND NOW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $500 TO CHANGE ANOTHER RIM AND REALIGN THE WHEELS. IF 17-INCH WHEELS ARE NOT DEEMED SUITABLE FOR THE ROADS OF NJ, THEN YOU SHOULD STOP SELLING THEM IN NJ. TO MY BEST KNOWLEDGE, OTHER THAN THE NORMAL IRREGULARITIES WHICH I DRIVE THROUGH ON THE ROADS, I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC POTHOLES WHICH I HAVE RUN INTO. I SEEK YOUR SINCERE GUIDANCE AND TIME IN ADVISING ME WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN THE SERVICE CENTRE OF THE MORRISTOWN MERCEDES BENZ CENTRE. YOURS, IN EXASPERATION, FRUSTRATED CUSTOMER. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10062262

Incident

Mar 15, 2004

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN $7500.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGES. MERCEDES WANTED TO GIVE THE OWNER A NEW VEHICLE BUT WANTED $4000.00 DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE BECAUSE OF TIME OWNED. *PH THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE UPON BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGED FORWARD WHEN STOPPING, THE REAR BRAKE LAMPLIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE, HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION, THE SUN ROOF DID NOT CLOSE AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, AND THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10050113

Mileage

10,200 mi

NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA , WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10050729

Incident

Nov 17, 2003

Mileage

17,350 mi

WARNING LIGHT STATING ESP-BAS THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE FIRST THE CAR WAS 2 MONTHS OLD AS A NEW CAR AND THE DEALER FOUND CORROTED WIRES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10049480

Incident

Nov 9, 2003

Mileage

17,001 mi

WHEN TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10043973

Incident

Aug 21, 2003

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ID

10043969

Incident

Oct 15, 2003