RoadVitals

2001 Mercedes-Benz 320 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest May 4, 2012
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz 320, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Interior & seats514.7%
  • Electrical514.7%
  • Engine411.8%
  • Steering411.8%
  • Visibility38.8%
  • Exterior lighting38.8%
  • Airbags25.9%
  • Brakes25.9%
  • Suspension12.9%
  • Tires & wheels12.9%
  • Transmission12.9%
  • Driver assistance12.9%
  • Fuel system12.9%
  • Seat belts12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MERCEDES 2001 C 320. POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DRAIN THE BATTERY TO A EXTENT THAT CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED UP. NEW BATTERY!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID 10457520 · filed May 4, 2012

CAR IS A 2001 C320 MERCEDES. BATTERY KEEPS DYING DESPITE REPLACING WITH BRAND NEW BATTERIES ON 2 OCCASIONS, ONLY 1 MONTH APART. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE SEAT MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. MY CAR WILL NOT START IF I DON'T DRIVE IT FOR A DAY OR LONGER. THESE MODULES ARE A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10269452 · filed May 19, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ONE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OF MY 2001 MB E320 JUST STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE WIRE INSULATION HAD VANISHED - SIMPLY DISAPPEARED - AND THERE WERE BARE WIRES COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. I TRIED WRAPPING THE WIRE WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE, AND THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THIS CAR WAS IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR A REAR END COLLISION RECENTLY, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTICED THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE USED TO WORK FOR MERCEDES-BENZ, AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY, IT GETS SO HOT THAT THE WIRE INSULATION ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATES AND LEAVES THE WIRES BARE. AND, EVEN MORE SURPRISINGLY, SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CATCH ON FIRE. OF COURSE, MB KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES - THEY'RE MORE THAN CONTENT TO LET THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY TO HAVE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AND, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, THEY WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH - A PRODUCT RECALL WOULD BE TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT I'M THE FIRST ONE REPORTING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET, THIS TYPE OF WIRING PROBLEM EXISTS IN OTHER MODELS ACROSS DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS. TIME FOR MB TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES - NOT ME.... *KB

NHTSA ID 10452409 · filed Mar 20, 2012

CAR IS A 2001 C320 MERCEDES. BATTERY KEEPS DYING DESPITE REPLACING WITH BRAND NEW BATTERIES ON 2 OCCASIONS, ONLY 2 WEEKS APART. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE SEAT MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. MY CAR WILL NOT START IF I DON'T DRIVE IT FOR A DAY OR LONGER. THESE MODULES ARE A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. FIX IS TO DISCONNECT SEAT POWER, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10300110 · filed Jan 17, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN

NHTSA ID 10213660 · filed Jan 4, 2008

I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A LOANER CAR, AS MY MERCEDES BENZ C320, 2001 IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP OF THE DEALER, MERC. BENZ OF LAGUNA NIGUEL (949-347-3700). IT IS IN FOR THE THIRD REPAIR OF THE SRS AIRBAY/SAFETY SYSTEM.*AK THE SEATBELT HAD PREVIOUSLY FAILED, TO AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. ***MY ENGINE STALLED ON THE FREEWAY (5N, IN CALIFORNIA) AND MY 8 YR. OLD SON AND I WERE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. ***THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO CONTACT TO DISCUSS MY CAR! THEY TOLD ME TO GET AN ATTORNEY AND I THEY HAVE MY CAR! I HAVE THEIR LOANER CAR. MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND THEY KNOW IT AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO DISCUSS IT WITH ME ANY FURTHER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FORCE ME TO SIGN ANOTHER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR OF THEIRS! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 19 TIMES. THE OWNER, THE GM AND MANAGEMENT REFUSE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH ME AND ARE NOT EVEN CORRESPONDING VIA MAIL! MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE AUGUST 25, 2004 AND REMAINS THERE AS I WRITE THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING THIS CAR, IF I SHOULD GET IT BACK FROM THEIR REPAIR SHOP. THEY DO NOT OBVIOULY WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ***THEY HAVE FALSIFIED REPAIR DOCUMENTS, IN REGARDS TO REPAIRING OR REPLACING MY BATTERY, TO WHICH I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION AND FALSLY DOCUMENTED IN THE REPAIR RECORDS, FALSLY STATING THAT I, THE CUSTOMER, HAD TO JUMP MY BATTERY. I MADE MR. RANDY STENSON, THE HEAD OF SERVICE, AWARE THAT I DID NOT APPRECIATE THIS FALSE DOCUMENTATION. ***ONE ONE THING: THEY ARE DISHONEST, IN THAT THEY FALSLY CLAIM THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME AND REPORT THIS TO THE MB CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY. THEY ARE NOT WORKING WITH ME AND STATE OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ID 10090811 · filed Sep 11, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN

NHTSA ID 10213660 · filed Jan 4, 2008

VEHICLE HOSE CLAMP BROKE WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON A ML320 BECAUSE THE HOSE CLAMPS WEREN'T SAFE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED HOSE CLAMP. 2 DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE CLAMPS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE NO BETTER THAN THE ONES BEFORE. SERVICE DEALER FIXED IT. *MR *CB *JB

NHTSA ID 10032406 · filed Aug 7, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN

NHTSA ID 10213660 · filed Jan 4, 2008

I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A LOANER CAR, AS MY MERCEDES BENZ C320, 2001 IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP OF THE DEALER, MERC. BENZ OF LAGUNA NIGUEL (949-347-3700). IT IS IN FOR THE THIRD REPAIR OF THE SRS AIRBAY/SAFETY SYSTEM.*AK THE SEATBELT HAD PREVIOUSLY FAILED, TO AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. ***MY ENGINE STALLED ON THE FREEWAY (5N, IN CALIFORNIA) AND MY 8 YR. OLD SON AND I WERE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. ***THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO CONTACT TO DISCUSS MY CAR! THEY TOLD ME TO GET AN ATTORNEY AND I THEY HAVE MY CAR! I HAVE THEIR LOANER CAR. MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND THEY KNOW IT AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO DISCUSS IT WITH ME ANY FURTHER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FORCE ME TO SIGN ANOTHER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR OF THEIRS! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 19 TIMES. THE OWNER, THE GM AND MANAGEMENT REFUSE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH ME AND ARE NOT EVEN CORRESPONDING VIA MAIL! MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE AUGUST 25, 2004 AND REMAINS THERE AS I WRITE THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING THIS CAR, IF I SHOULD GET IT BACK FROM THEIR REPAIR SHOP. THEY DO NOT OBVIOULY WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ***THEY HAVE FALSIFIED REPAIR DOCUMENTS, IN REGARDS TO REPAIRING OR REPLACING MY BATTERY, TO WHICH I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION AND FALSLY DOCUMENTED IN THE REPAIR RECORDS, FALSLY STATING THAT I, THE CUSTOMER, HAD TO JUMP MY BATTERY. I MADE MR. RANDY STENSON, THE HEAD OF SERVICE, AWARE THAT I DID NOT APPRECIATE THIS FALSE DOCUMENTATION. ***ONE ONE THING: THEY ARE DISHONEST, IN THAT THEY FALSLY CLAIM THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME AND REPORT THIS TO THE MB CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY. THEY ARE NOT WORKING WITH ME AND STATE OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ID 10090811 · filed Sep 11, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ONE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OF MY 2001 MB E320 JUST STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE WIRE INSULATION HAD VANISHED - SIMPLY DISAPPEARED - AND THERE WERE BARE WIRES COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. I TRIED WRAPPING THE WIRE WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE, AND THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THIS CAR WAS IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR A REAR END COLLISION RECENTLY, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTICED THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE USED TO WORK FOR MERCEDES-BENZ, AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY, IT GETS SO HOT THAT THE WIRE INSULATION ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATES AND LEAVES THE WIRES BARE. AND, EVEN MORE SURPRISINGLY, SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CATCH ON FIRE. OF COURSE, MB KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES - THEY'RE MORE THAN CONTENT TO LET THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY TO HAVE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AND, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, THEY WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH - A PRODUCT RECALL WOULD BE TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT I'M THE FIRST ONE REPORTING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET, THIS TYPE OF WIRING PROBLEM EXISTS IN OTHER MODELS ACROSS DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS. TIME FOR MB TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES - NOT ME.... *KB

NHTSA ID 10452409 · filed Mar 20, 2012

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN

NHTSA ID 10213660 · filed Jan 4, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WE WERE ON AN EXTENDED TRIP WHEN THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ALONG WITH "SRS" CAME ON AND STAYED ON. AFTER WE RETURNED, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THEY INDICATED THAT THE "BABY SENSOR" IN THE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. WE DO NOT HAVE A BABY AND WOULD NOT HAVE NEED FOR THIS SENSOR. OUR CONCERN IS THAT IF THE SENSOR CAN FAIL ON IT'S OWN AND IF THE AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVATED IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, SERIOUS INJURY MAY OCCUR. WE HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK TO BACKUP THIS SITUATION. *JB

NHTSA ID 10162307 · filed Jul 13, 2006

I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A LOANER CAR, AS MY MERCEDES BENZ C320, 2001 IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP OF THE DEALER, MERC. BENZ OF LAGUNA NIGUEL (949-347-3700). IT IS IN FOR THE THIRD REPAIR OF THE SRS AIRBAY/SAFETY SYSTEM.*AK THE SEATBELT HAD PREVIOUSLY FAILED, TO AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. ***MY ENGINE STALLED ON THE FREEWAY (5N, IN CALIFORNIA) AND MY 8 YR. OLD SON AND I WERE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. ***THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO CONTACT TO DISCUSS MY CAR! THEY TOLD ME TO GET AN ATTORNEY AND I THEY HAVE MY CAR! I HAVE THEIR LOANER CAR. MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND THEY KNOW IT AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO DISCUSS IT WITH ME ANY FURTHER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FORCE ME TO SIGN ANOTHER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR OF THEIRS! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 19 TIMES. THE OWNER, THE GM AND MANAGEMENT REFUSE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH ME AND ARE NOT EVEN CORRESPONDING VIA MAIL! MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE AUGUST 25, 2004 AND REMAINS THERE AS I WRITE THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING THIS CAR, IF I SHOULD GET IT BACK FROM THEIR REPAIR SHOP. THEY DO NOT OBVIOULY WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ***THEY HAVE FALSIFIED REPAIR DOCUMENTS, IN REGARDS TO REPAIRING OR REPLACING MY BATTERY, TO WHICH I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION AND FALSLY DOCUMENTED IN THE REPAIR RECORDS, FALSLY STATING THAT I, THE CUSTOMER, HAD TO JUMP MY BATTERY. I MADE MR. RANDY STENSON, THE HEAD OF SERVICE, AWARE THAT I DID NOT APPRECIATE THIS FALSE DOCUMENTATION. ***ONE ONE THING: THEY ARE DISHONEST, IN THAT THEY FALSLY CLAIM THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME AND REPORT THIS TO THE MB CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY. THEY ARE NOT WORKING WITH ME AND STATE OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ID 10090811 · filed Sep 11, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN

NHTSA ID 10213660 · filed Jan 4, 2008

CONSUMER WAS BRAKING AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. HAD JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A HOME. MERCEDES REPRESENTATIVE CHECKED OUT VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES.*AK

NHTSA ID 884038 · filed Mar 23, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN

NHTSA ID 10213660 · filed Jan 4, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN I WENT TO PICK MY BABY SITTER LAST NIGHT AROUND 8.30 PM, I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR WHEEL OF MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. I REPLACED THE FLAT TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. AFTER I REPLACED SPARE TIRE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE.*AK I CALLED MERCEDES ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WHERE I LEARNED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, ABOUT THE "SPECIAL" NUTS. LET ME EMPHASIZE THAT THE NUTS WERE NOT WITH THE REST OF THE SPARE TIRE REPAIR KIT. NO WARNING OR ANY OTHER PRECAUTION (I.E., MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE ORIGINAL NUTS ON THE SPARE TIRE) TAKEN TO INSURE THAT SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC COULD PERFORM THE SIMPLE TASK OF CHANGING A FLAT TIRE WITHOUT CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO VERY EXPENSIVE CAR PARTS. I AM NOW TOLD IT WILL COST $1300 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE SIMPLE INSTALLATION OF A SPARE TIRE. THAT'S ON TOP OF THE $100 THEY ARE CHARGING ME TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. RIDICULOUS!!!! WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ABSURD CONCEPT APPARENTLY CREATED FOR THE C320, I WAS TOLD I WAS NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO MAKE THIS MISTAKE. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF THIS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL THEIR MODELS WHICH HAVE THE SPECIAL NUTS AND ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO HE SPARE TIRE COVER. I SPOKE WITH A MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO WAS REAL NASTY AND TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE READ THE MANUAL BEFORE CHANGING THE TIRE. WHO WOULD READ A MANUAL TO CHANGE A TIRE AT 8.30 PM? THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS. HOW CAN YOU READ THE MANUAL WHEN YOU ARE STRUCK IN THE DARK WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS? I HOPE THIS WILL BE CORRECTED SO THAT INNOCENT VICTIMS LIKE ME WILL NOT BE PUNISHED FOR A POOR MERCEDES BENZ DESIGN. PLEASE TAKE NECESSARY ACTION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS. THIS IS A SIMILAR COMPLAIN POSTED BY A USER. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/MERCEDES_C240.HTML

NHTSA ID 10092955 · filed Sep 21, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A LOANER CAR, AS MY MERCEDES BENZ C320, 2001 IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP OF THE DEALER, MERC. BENZ OF LAGUNA NIGUEL (949-347-3700). IT IS IN FOR THE THIRD REPAIR OF THE SRS AIRBAY/SAFETY SYSTEM.*AK THE SEATBELT HAD PREVIOUSLY FAILED, TO AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. ***MY ENGINE STALLED ON THE FREEWAY (5N, IN CALIFORNIA) AND MY 8 YR. OLD SON AND I WERE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. ***THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO CONTACT TO DISCUSS MY CAR! THEY TOLD ME TO GET AN ATTORNEY AND I THEY HAVE MY CAR! I HAVE THEIR LOANER CAR. MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND THEY KNOW IT AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO DISCUSS IT WITH ME ANY FURTHER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FORCE ME TO SIGN ANOTHER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR OF THEIRS! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 19 TIMES. THE OWNER, THE GM AND MANAGEMENT REFUSE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH ME AND ARE NOT EVEN CORRESPONDING VIA MAIL! MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE AUGUST 25, 2004 AND REMAINS THERE AS I WRITE THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING THIS CAR, IF I SHOULD GET IT BACK FROM THEIR REPAIR SHOP. THEY DO NOT OBVIOULY WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ***THEY HAVE FALSIFIED REPAIR DOCUMENTS, IN REGARDS TO REPAIRING OR REPLACING MY BATTERY, TO WHICH I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION AND FALSLY DOCUMENTED IN THE REPAIR RECORDS, FALSLY STATING THAT I, THE CUSTOMER, HAD TO JUMP MY BATTERY. I MADE MR. RANDY STENSON, THE HEAD OF SERVICE, AWARE THAT I DID NOT APPRECIATE THIS FALSE DOCUMENTATION. ***ONE ONE THING: THEY ARE DISHONEST, IN THAT THEY FALSLY CLAIM THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME AND REPORT THIS TO THE MB CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY. THEY ARE NOT WORKING WITH ME AND STATE OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ID 10090811 · filed Sep 11, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE MAKING A STOP OR RETURING TO NORMAL TRAVEL NOTICED VEHICLE WAS SURGING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 885692 · filed Apr 11, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN

NHTSA ID 10213660 · filed Jan 4, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A LOANER CAR, AS MY MERCEDES BENZ C320, 2001 IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP OF THE DEALER, MERC. BENZ OF LAGUNA NIGUEL (949-347-3700). IT IS IN FOR THE THIRD REPAIR OF THE SRS AIRBAY/SAFETY SYSTEM.*AK THE SEATBELT HAD PREVIOUSLY FAILED, TO AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. ***MY ENGINE STALLED ON THE FREEWAY (5N, IN CALIFORNIA) AND MY 8 YR. OLD SON AND I WERE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. ***THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO CONTACT TO DISCUSS MY CAR! THEY TOLD ME TO GET AN ATTORNEY AND I THEY HAVE MY CAR! I HAVE THEIR LOANER CAR. MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND THEY KNOW IT AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO DISCUSS IT WITH ME ANY FURTHER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FORCE ME TO SIGN ANOTHER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR OF THEIRS! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 19 TIMES. THE OWNER, THE GM AND MANAGEMENT REFUSE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH ME AND ARE NOT EVEN CORRESPONDING VIA MAIL! MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE AUGUST 25, 2004 AND REMAINS THERE AS I WRITE THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING THIS CAR, IF I SHOULD GET IT BACK FROM THEIR REPAIR SHOP. THEY DO NOT OBVIOULY WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ***THEY HAVE FALSIFIED REPAIR DOCUMENTS, IN REGARDS TO REPAIRING OR REPLACING MY BATTERY, TO WHICH I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. THEY DID THIS WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION AND FALSLY DOCUMENTED IN THE REPAIR RECORDS, FALSLY STATING THAT I, THE CUSTOMER, HAD TO JUMP MY BATTERY. I MADE MR. RANDY STENSON, THE HEAD OF SERVICE, AWARE THAT I DID NOT APPRECIATE THIS FALSE DOCUMENTATION. ***ONE ONE THING: THEY ARE DISHONEST, IN THAT THEY FALSLY CLAIM THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME AND REPORT THIS TO THE MB CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY. THEY ARE NOT WORKING WITH ME AND STATE OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ID 10090811 · filed Sep 11, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

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