2002 Mercedes Benz 240

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) MY MERCEDES C240 (VIN: [XXX]) BURNED UP ITS FUEL PUMP WIRING, AND THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED IT, SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE . I REPLACED A FAULTY FUEL PUMP AS DIAGNOSED BY MY MECHANIC. CAR STILL DID NOT WORK SO I HAD THE CAR SENT TO DEALER (EURO MOTORCARS OF GERMANTOWN MD 301 601 5560). DEALER SAID THE WIRES TO FUEL PUMP MELTED AND CHARGED $460 TO REPAIR THEM (NOT A SIMPLE EFFORT I WAS TOLD). THE DEALER SAYS THIS NOT UNCOMMON, BUT IT IS MORE COMMON TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AT CONNECTORS AT FUEL PUMP (WHICH IS SUBMERGED WITH GASOLINE INSIDE FUEL TANK!) IN MY CASE WIRING BURNED AFTER COMPUTERIZED FUSE BOX. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A LATENT DEFECT. A WELL DESIGNED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FUSES THAT ARE SACRIFICED BEFORE DAMAGE IS DONE THAT COULD START A FIRE, OR BURN WIRES (THAT IS WHY THEY ARE THERE). THERE IS A 30 AMP FUSE FOR THIS SYSTEM, AND APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT BLOW. I KNOW MY COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTOR WOULD FAIL ANY NEW HOUSE WIRING THAT WAS NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM SITUATIONS THAT EXCEED THE RATING OF THE WIRES, IT SEEMS CRAZY THE SAME IS NOT HAPPENING HERE, AND ON A CIRCUIT THE RUNS INSIDE THE GAS TANK NO LESS! PLEASE INVESTIGATE, AND IF YOU TALK TO MERCEDES, I THINK FOR ME PAYING FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP IS SUFFICIENT, BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR A LATENT DEFECT AND OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! THANKYOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF MY COMPLAINT *TR

I PURCHASED MY CAR ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO . I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM . I HAD SERVICE DONE ON THE CAR AND I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS. THE LIGHTS KEEP SHORTING OUT . I REPLACE THE BULBS AND IT SHORTS OUT AGAIN . ALSO BRAKE SENSORS KEEP WEARING OUT CAUSING THE BRAKE SENSOR TO KEEP COMING ON . NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL LEVEL SENSOR IT IS SAYING REDUCE OIL LEVEL I HAD THIS DONE AND NO CHANGE . THINKING IT MAY NEED THE OIL CHANGED I TOOK IT IN. SAME NO CHANGE OIL WAS CHANGED AND REDUCE THE OIL LEVEL AS THE CAR STATED AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE STILL . THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. THAT IS COSTING 500.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE SERVICE AND AMONG OTHER THINGS DONE. *TR

CAR SAFETY ISSUE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES CUSTOMER STATES THAT HIS CAR WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HOPED THE CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE OR SOLD TO ANYONE THAT WAS NOT INFORMED OF PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM THE ATTORNEY OF THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE CLIENT POSITION ON THE MATTER STANDS AND WILL NOT BE RESPONDING TO ANY FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ 240. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE DROVE OVER THE CURB THROUGH A NINE FOOT HIGH FENCE, SPED DOWN A THREE FOOT EMBANKMENT, DROVE ACROSS AN ABANDONED RAIL ROAD TRACK, AND INTO A CHAIN LINKED FENCE. SHE THEN CRASHED INTO A POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE PARAMEDIC AND POLICE WERE CALLED. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND SUNNY. A SEPARATE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON APRIL 8, 2007. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,275. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 06/26/07. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED MERCEDES BENZ WAS WILLING TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, BUT HE WANTS TO KNOW SHOULD HE KEEP THE VEHICLE IN HIS POSSESSION. THE CONSUMER WANTS A STATUS ON HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 06/27/07. *JB THE CONSUMER IS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM MB. UPDATED 07/10/7.*JB THE DEALER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE CONSUMER AT A WHOLESALE OFFER. UPDATED 07/16/07. *JB

ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON INDEPENDENCE PKWY AND REFUSED TO START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. FINALLY THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THEN QUIT AGAIN WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED LATER THAT THE 'CRANK SENSOR' HAD STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $440. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND DETERMINED THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT UNCOMMON AND OTHER DRIVERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CRASH. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, MERCEDES NEEDS TO BE AWARE AND PROACTIVELY CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *JB

1. FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. 2. TRANSMISSIONS WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. MY FAMILY (4 MONTH BABY AND WIFE) WERE LEFT STRANDED ON THE ROADWAY. 3. MERCEDES-BENZ CANNOT CORRECTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. UNKNOWN CAUSE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS WITHOUT A SOLUTION IN SIGHT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THIS STARTED ON JANUARY 15, 2005. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY CLEANED THE CONTACTS ON THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND CHECKED ALL OF THE CONNECTORS. ALSO, THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. MERCEDES TOLD THE CONTACT TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT AT THIS POINT MERCEDES HAS TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

2002 MERCEDES WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE LINKAGE ARM THAT CONNECTS TO THE TWO WIPER BLADES BROKE WHILE DRIVING DURING THE RAINSTORM. *NM

PURCHASED THE USED 2002 USED VEHICLE IN MARCH 2005. BY APRIL 2005, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS/HARNESS THAT CONNECTS THE SRS, TELE-AID AND OTHER COMPUTERIZED COMPONENTS STARTED DRAINING THE BATTERY WHCIH CAUSES A SLOW STALL BEFORE AN IMMEDIATE STOPPAGE ON THE HIGHWAY. MERCEDES BENZ MECHANICS HAVE DISCONNECTED THE SRS (AIRBAGS), TELE-AID AND MOST OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO NO AVAIL, WHICH IS CAUSING ADDITIONAL HAZARDOUS AND SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE VISITED 4 MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTERS IN NY, NJ, PA AND VA FOR A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES AND NO ONE HAS ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE DIAGNOSIS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LAST VISIT TO AN MB SERVICE CENTER WAS JULY 7, 2005, IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS OR INJURIES TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. THE MODEL IS A C240.

(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE ARE UNKNOWN. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND HAS ABOUT 25,000 MILES. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS STARTING TO RAIN. (2) ON THE HIGHWAY, A BAS AND ESP MALFUNCTION ERROR OCCURRED. THE CAR THEN 10 SECS LATER SPUNG OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT THE GAURD RAIL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE REAR, FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. (3) CURRENTLY, THE CAR IS WORKING. NO MALFUNTION ERRORS ARE OCCURRING. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNKNOWN. NO PARTS WERE REPAIRED OR REPLACED THAT DEAL WITH THE BAS AND ESP SYSTEM IN THE CAR. *JB

(1) CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. CAR DID NOT START. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WHILE WAITING FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO CALL, THE CAR STARTED (AFTER 45 MINUTES). I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER DID NOT FIND ANY FAULT CODES. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND THE CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (2) THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE SHUT OFF. ELECTRICAL POWER STILL ON AS RADIO STILL OPERATING. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND KEENLY DODGED TRAFFIC AND PARKED ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER. (3) I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND TRIED AGAIN REPEADETLY TO START THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED. I MADE IT TO WORK AND WAS JUST TO BUSY TO TAKE MY CAR INTO SERVICE. AFTER WORK, I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TECHNICIAN ARRIVED ONSITE AND THE CAR ONCE AGAIN TURNED ON WITH LUCK. THE TECHNICIAN BELIEVES A NEW FUEL PUMP IS NEED. *JB

PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SURGING AND STALLING. *MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VAPOR LOCK. THE FUEL IN THE FUEL LINES TO THE ENGINE VAPORIZED DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND OR SURGE. MERCEDES CLAIMED THAT THE FUEL IN MINNESOTA WAS THE CAUSE OF THIS CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DIE, INTERMITTENTLY RESTART AND STALL AGAIN. ACCIDENTS HAD ALMOST BEEN CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. ANOTHER SERVICE DEALER FOUND A CODE FOR MISFIRE BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY. THE STEPPER MOTOR LINKAGE HAD BROKEN. *SC *JB

JACK COLLAPSED THREE TIMES WHILE CHANGING TIRE, CAR ALMOST LANDED ON LEG. *AK

I HAVE HAD A STRING OF PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2002 MERCEDES C240. I HAVE HAD THE PANIC ALARM FAIL IN A PARKING LOT (FORTUNATELY I HAD PEPPER SPRAY), I HAVE HAD MY SEAT RETRACT ALL THE WAY BACK AND GET STUCK (I HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WITH PILLOWS AND BLANKETS BEHIND ME) AND HAVE HAD TO TURN OFF THAT CAR FEATURE SO IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN! MY KEY STOPPED UNLOCKING MY DOOR DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE KEY SO I WAS HAVING TO LEAVE MY DOORS UNLOCKED. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FOR DOORS, SUNROOF, ETC. COMES UNSYNCED ABOUT ONCE EVERY OTHER MONTH, MY SUNROOF MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, I HAD A LEAK IN THE BACK OF MY CAR SOAKING THE BACK SEATS, CUP HOLDER QUIT RETRACTING, FUEL LINE BLOCKAGES THAT CAUSE THE CAR TO RUN BADLY, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LATCH ESSEMBLY IN MY TRUCK, AND OTHER LITTLE STRANGE THINGS. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A RIDICULOUS NUMBER OF TIMES IN ITS FIRST TWO YEARS, AND AFTER THE PANIC ALARM INCIDENT, I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, AND MERCEDES JUST REFERS ME TO THE PARTS PEOPLE WHEN I COMPLAIN. I LIVE A HOUR A WAY FROM A DEALER AND END UP HAVING TO SPEND THE DAY IN THE WAITING ROOM WHILE THEY FIX THE PROBLEMS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO MY STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.*AK

I HAVE HAD MY C230 COUPE IN THE SHOP AT ED POTTER MERCEDES COLUMBUS, OH SEVERAL TIMES. FOUR WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE WHEELS WERE SO OUT OF ALIGNMENT THAT THE CARS JUMPED LANES, REPEATEDLY I WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE TERRIBLE 'PULL' EVEN WITH MR. POTTER IN THE CAR - NEVER COULD THEY FIX IT. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE STRUT WAS REPLACED, I HAD TO BUY NEW TIRES ($1,277) AFTER 20K MILES, RIGHT NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP, THE SEAL AROUND THE ROOF HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT SWAY BARS WERE REPLACED, THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ARE BEING REPLACED BECAUSE THE CAR SQUEAKS EE-EE-EE-EE AS I ROLL OVER SOFT WAVES IN THE ROAD. TODAY THEY CALLED, THEY NEED TO KEEP THE CAR LONGER TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SOMETHING ANOTHER - THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME AND EARLIER THIS WEEK AND TOLD ME TO FILL OUT MY SURVEY FROM THE LAST SERVICE "ALL EXCELLENT" NOT EVEN REALIZING I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN THIS WEEK FOR MORE PART REPLACEMENT. ONCE I WAS IN TRAVELING IN LEXINGTON, KY ON MY WAY TO A DERBY PARTY IN LOUISVILLE ON SATURDAY AND THE LOCAL MERCEDES REP SAID TO GET A HOTEL ROOM IN LEXINGTON AND WAIT TILL MONDAY TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED. THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD A $31,000 VOUCHER FROM MY CREDIT UNION AND THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T TRUST IT (I LIVE 3/4 A MILE A WAY) AND THEY MADE ME WAIT THREE DAYS UNTIL THE CHECK CLEARED BEFORE THEY DELIVERED THE CAR. I OWN A 1975 MB 450 SL THAT IS MORE RELIABLE THAN THIS HUNK OF JUNK. PLEASE DON'T BUY A MERCEDES AND IF YOU DID, PLEASE TAKE IT B

MY FINGER WAS PARTIALLY AMUPUTATED - SURGERY REQUIRED. I HAD BEEN STANDING OUTSIDE OF MY PARKED CAR WHEN THE DOOR CLOSED ON MY FINGER. WHEN THE CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR FOLLOWING THE INJURY BECASUE SEVERAL FRIENDS SAID THE CAR DOOR WAS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT MY INNER CAR DOOR MOLDING HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. FROM THE BEGINNING OF MY LEASE OF THE C-240, 2002 AUTO THERE WERE AT LEAST THREE OTHER INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR DOORS NEEDED REPAIR. ONCE AT MY HOME BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AND TWICE AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE DOOR PROBLEM. AFTER MY SURGERY, I APPROACHED THE DEALERSHIP AND MERCEDES USA TELLING THEM THAT I WANTED RECALL INFORMATION AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE ELSE WAS IN HARM'S WAY - BUT THEY HAVE BASICALLY BEEN MEAN SPIRITED AND RUDE. THEY HAVE NOT FIXED MY CAR AND HAVE NOT BEEN COOPERATIVE IN ALLOWING ME TO GET INFORMATION. I WAS ASKED TO COME TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MEET WITH THE OPERATIONS AND PARTS REGIONAL MANAGER,ERIC ERDENLANDER, FROM PARISIPANY, NJ. HE WAS INSULTING, RUDE AND COMPLETELY UNWILLING TO DISCUSS THE MATTER IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER. I WAS LATER CALLED BY THE SHOWROOM OWNER OF CONTEMPORARY MOTOR CARS OF LITTLE SILVER, NEW JERSEY,SCOTT COLEMAN, WHO APOLOGIZED. I AM GOING TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST FOUR WEEKS. I HAVE HAD A PIN IN MY FINGER AND MICROSURGERY INCLUDING A SEVERE CRUSH INJURY. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM NOT GETTING SOME FORM

DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY - FRONT END COLLISION AT A SPEED OF BETWEEN 40 AND 45 MILES PER HOUR. CAR HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE TOTALLED.

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED ON SIDE COLLISION AND NONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAS NO INFORMATION OF WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. TS

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR LATE AT TIMES. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCE TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS