2002 Mercedes Benz C230

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

The rear subframe rusted out and failed at the driver side trailing arm mount. It is available for inspection. My pregnant wife was driving it when it failed, luckily it failed an 1/8th mile from our house on a 25mph back road. The problem with these subframes has been well documented in later models and the subject of a class action lawsuit. Nobody has inspected it. There were no symptoms prior to the failure.

Recall ID: 24V874 on Sliding Roof Bonding was issued. Mercedes-Benz of Nashville was not able to open the Roof and asked for $219.88 to determine cause of sunroof being inoperative. Recall letter stated that: "vehicle repair will be provided at no cost to you" "If dealer for any reason is unable to remedy the situation without charge.. you may submit a complaint to the NHTSA.." Hence I am submitting this complaint that my sliding roof was not checked nor repaired.

There is an old recall campaign for the Camshaft Seal, # 2009100001. This car is among those affected by this problem and should be covered for issues and repairs.

TAKATA RECALL ESL (ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK) COMPONENTS THE MOTOR FAILS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING THE FIRST TIME, BUT WORK IN FOLLOWING ATTEMPTS. SOME TIMES IT TAKES 1 TO 4 HOURS FOR ESL TO UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WEATHER OVERNIGHT OR JUST COMING OUT OF THE STORE SHOPPING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. ..UPDATED 09/25/17 *BF .. .UPDATED 10/04/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE STEERING LOCK FAILURE THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES FREELY WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS MELTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

STRONG ORDER OF GAS COMING FROM BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. PULLED BACK SEAT OFF AND THERE IS A POOL OF GAS UNDER THERE. APPEARS ONE OF THE PLASTIC OVERS HAS CRACKS IN IT.

ON JUNE 9, 2011 I DROVE TO SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA TO VISIT MY COUSIN WHEN I GOT THERE I WENT TO LOCK MY DOORS BUT THE LOCK KEPT JUMPING UP AND DOWN. IT FINALLY LOCKED AFTER 12 ATTEMPTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $3500.00 TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 18, 2011 WITH MY BRAKES.THE BREAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND $795.00 THEY CLAIMED I NEEDED FOR BOTH BRAKES AND ROTORS WHICH I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND SINCE 6 MONTHS PRIOR THE ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED. I AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND BREAKS REPLACED IN JULY 2012 AS WELL AS THE BACK BREAKS BUT THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE OTHER THAN THE DEALER AND HERE IT IS 2014 AND THEY ARE STILL HOLDING AND THE COST WAS $495.00 FOR BOTH FRONT AND BACK AS WELL 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $495.00 FOR THE BACK ALONE. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED IN LAS VEGAS I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. IT STARTED BACK RIGHT AWAY BUT I HAD A TEN HOUR DRIVE TO MAKE IT HOME AND THIS WORRIED ME. THE FOURTH INCIDENT WAS WITH THE SUNROOF I WENT TO THE CAR WASH AND THE WAX THAT WAS USED CAUSED THE SUNROOF TO STICK AFTER IT DRIED AND LATER THE MOTOR WENT OUT BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE ROOF, THE DEALER QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $5000.00 TO REPAIR IT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVERS SEATBELT AND BACK SEATBELT ON DRIVERS SIDE WERE DEFECTIVE AND IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT THE AI

THE POWER SEAT MODULES CONTINUOUSLY DRAIN THE BATTERY CAUSING DEAD BATTERY WITHIN 24-48 HOURS. THE SEATS MUST BE UNPLUGGED TO STOP THE PROBLEM. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WANTS $100 TO DIAGNOSE AND $1,500 PER SEAT MODULE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MAKING THIS A DEFECT. *TR

AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, I PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER LOCK, (RED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON), AND ADJUSTED THE HEIGHT AND DEPTH OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I THEN PUSHED THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER LOCK BACK IN (RED WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED). I STARTED DRIVING AND WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT ON A CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO SWERVE INTO ANOTHER LANE. I PULLED OVER ATTEMPTED TO REENGAGE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT POSITIONS, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED. THE RED WARNING LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LEVER IS PULLED OUT, BUT IT DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS DISENGAGED WHEN THE LEVER IS PUSHED IN EVEN THOUGH THE LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT FUNCTION. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND A FORUM WITH SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES OF DIFFERENT YEARS. I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE. *TR

BOTH FRONT POWER SEAT MODULES DRAIN BATTERY WHEN CAR IS OFF. *TR

I JUST HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH MY MB DEALER ABOUT REPLACING A MALFUNCTIONING YAW RATE SENSOR ON MY 2000 C230K. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT IS RANDOMLY ENGAGING MY BRAKES AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN IT THINKS THE CAR IS OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C 230. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRING AND SEVERAL OTHER WIRES WERE BURNED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IF THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN FULL OF GASOLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

ON JAN 2, 2010, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A MOVIE IN MY 2002 MERCEDES C230, THE CAR SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I FIRST THOUGHT I HAD A BLOW OUT. I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AND AM NOT AWARE OF HITTING ANY THING THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. WHEN I STOPPED, I FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE FOLLOWING DAY I TOOK THE FLAT TO MY TIRE SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THE RIM HAD A CRACK IN IT, AND THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. I ORDERED A NEW WHEEL FROM THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER, WHO TOLD ME IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR WHEELS ON THIS MODEL TO FAIL. MERCEDES REFUSED WARRANTY. I CONSIDER THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FAILURE AND ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER WITH THE LOCAL DEALER, KIMBALL MOTORS, TO PRESENT IT TO MERCEDES FOR WARRANTY AND/OR SAFETY REPLACEMENT. THE CAR IS BEYOND THE NORMAL WARRANTY PERIOD. MERCEDES REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION. BOTH THE PEOPLE WHO REPLACED THE TIRE, BIG BRAND TIRE, AND THE PARTS PEOPLE AT THE DEALER, KIMBALL MOTORS, TOLD ME THEY SEE "SEVERAL FAILURES LIKE THIS" EACH YEAR. IN MY 50 PLUS YEARS OF DRIVING FOR PLEASURE AND COMMERCIALLY, I NEVER EXPERIENCED A CRACKED WHEEL AND SUBSEQUENT TIRE FAILURE. I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT MERCEDES FAILED TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE FAILURE. I HAVE THE WHEEL, AND HAVE A DIGITAL PHOTO OF THE FAILURE IF THAT WILL BE OF ASSISTANCE. *TR

I BOUGHT A CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, ITS A 2002 C230 KOMPRESSOR 2 DOOR, AND THE DEALER SAID ITS A SENSOR FROM THE SUPERCHARGER. *TR

DRIVERS OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS BECOME DISCOLORED AND IS NOW VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IMAGES PARTICULARLY AT NIGHT. DEALER QUOTED $800 FOR MIRROR GLASS ONLY! *TR

DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION - WHILE DRIVING, I HEARD SOMETHING COME FROM THE LEFT/DRIVER SIDE...IT SOUNDED LIKE A BOX OR SOMETHING FELL FROM MY REAR SEAT, ONTO THE FLOOR AND UNDER MY SEAT. *TR I SAT IN THE CAR, UNLOCKING/LOCKING, AND IT CONTINUED TO GO NUTS...EVEN THE CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON ON THE DASH FAILED TO WORK A FEW TIMES... LOOKS LIKE A DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR PROBLEM THAT COSTS ABOUT $400 TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C230. ON OCTOBER 15, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO 15 MPH ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND COOLANT FLUID PENETRATED THE TRANSMISSION RESERVED FLUID. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND CLEANED THE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF $5,000. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,146 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,000. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB

I OWN A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C230, WHICH HAS NOW HAD 2 SEVERE ISSUES WITH IT. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - THE SEAT CONTROL MODULES GO FAULTY AND START DRAINING THE BATTERY EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IF YOU HAVE A BATTERY DRAIN, THIS IS THE LIKELY CULPRIT. I HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT CONTROL MODULES A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO INTERNET BOARDS. THE 2ND PROBLEM IS THAT OIL STARTED TO LEAK ALL OVER THE WIRES. AGAIN ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET BOARDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C-230. THE CONTACT'S CHILD WRAPPED THE NEAREST REAR SEAT BELT AROUND HER NECK, WHILE SEATED IN HER CHILD SEAT. WHILE THE SEAT BELT WAS AROUND THE CHILD'S NECK, IT WOULD NOT LOOSEN AND WAS EXTENDED TO THE POINT THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD ONLY RETRACT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND THEY CUT THE SEAT BELT FROM AROUND THE CHILD'S NECK. SHE WAS UNINJURED FROM THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OUT OF STATE AT APPROX. 60MPH CAR SUDDENLY BUCKED AND ALL POWER CUT OUT, ALL LIGHTS ON CONTROL PANEL LIT UP- HIT CLUTCH AND GAS, VEHICLE RESTARTED. NEAREST DEALER WOULD NOT SEE ME FOR 2 WEEKS, DEALER IN ANOTHER STATE DID DIAGNOSTIC ESTIMATED REPAIR AT CLOSE TO $4,000; ALREADY GAVE OVER $1800 AS DOWNPAYMENT TOWARD PARTS. REPAIR ? SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK. READ OTHER COMPLAINTS, BELIEVE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY HERE, AND WANT REASSURANCE IF REPAIR DOES NOT WORK I WILL NOT BE CONTINUOUSLY CHARGED WHILE THEY REPLACE EVERYTHING UNTIL THE GET IT RIGHT. SAID COMPUTER DID NOT READ A DEFECT. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED BY DEALERS ONLY AT EVERY RECOMMENDED SERVICE MILESTONE. *TR

I HAVE MERCEDES C230 2002, WITH OEM MICHELIN MXV4 PLUS 205/55 R16. ONE TIRE WAS BLOWN AND REPLACED 3 YEARS AGO. NOW ALL TIRES DEVELOP HUGE CRACKS ON THE EDGE OF TREAD AND SIDEWALL AS WELL AS INSIDE OF TREAD. TIRES ARE IN BETWEEN 5/32ND AND 7/32ND TREAD WITH 40K MILES, AND WOULD BE GOOD TO GO FOR ANOTHER 2 YEARS EASILY. BUT, ACCORDING TO MERCEDES AND MICHELIN DEALERS (LES SCHWAB) TIRES UNSAFE TO DRIVE! I CALLED MICHELIN 866-866-6605 NOVEMBER 03-07, AFTER 30 MIN CONVERSATION WITH LES SCHWAB MANAGER INVOLVED, MICHELIN ADMIT MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND OFFERED 45% OFF NEW TIRES PURCHASE. HERE IS WHAT MICHELIN OFFER ACTUALLY MEANS: 1) 45% DISCOUNT APPLY ONLY TO MICHELIN AND SAME MXV4 PLUS IS $205/EA AND IT MEANS $820 X0.55 = $451 TO PAY. 2) I MUST PAY DISMOUNT + MOUNT + BALANCE + DISPOSAL FEES, WHICH IS $20 PER TIRE X4 = $80, SO TOTAL OUT OF MY POCKET BECOMES $531 +TAX! *JB

MY 2002 MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR KEEPS DRAINING THE BATTERY. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. NO ONE, INCLUDING THE DEALER CAN DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THE DRAIN. ONLINE FORUMS FROM MERCEDES OUTLINE THAT THIS IS A REGULAR ISSUE THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C230. ON 4/10/07 WITH THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF 38,525 THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SRS CONTROL UNIT #206-820-64-85 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING PREMATURELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,525. *AK UPDATE 05/04/07*TR

THE SUN ROOF WILL NOT OPERATE. CAR HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT, AND I ONLY USED IT OCCASIONALLY. BEING TOLD THAT IT WASS OVER $2000 TO REPAIR. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM ,AND FOUND OVER 1000 ENTRIES OF MERCEDES OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS AN INHERRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS C230. COULD YOU DO ANYTHING TO HELP?*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER 1,000 MILES AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR USED. THE CAR HAD 47,000 MILES. THE ENGINE WAS NOT PERFORMING AS WELL AS IT HAD BEEN. THE DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH REVEALED SIX SENSORS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACING. UPON SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION THE DEALER FOUND THAT OIL HAD LEAKED INTO THE SENSORS WIRING HARNESS AND CONTAMINATED THE SENSORS.*AK

2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C230K ENGINE STOPPED, CAUSING EVERYTHING TO STOP FUNCTIONING. *KB THE MECHANIC FOUND WATER IN THE CONNECTOR. THE BLOCKAGE WAS CAUSING THE DRAIN TO BACK UP, WHICH WAS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THROUGH THE ROOF. THE DRIVER SIDE DRAIN LINE WAS CLOGGED WITH LEAVES AND DEBRIS, WHICH DAMAGED SOME ELECTRICAL COMPONETS. *JB

OUR CAR, A 2002 C230K MANUFACTURED BY MERCEDES BENZ, HAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE TURN SIGNALS FAIL. BOTH OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FAILED ON OUR CAR RECENTLY, REQUIRING REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE, BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT IT HAS ISSUED AT LEAST ONE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS (P-82-10-19SC-JULY 03). RATHER THAN ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE ITS DEALERS REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER HAS CHOSEN TO PLAY "ROULETTE" AND SEE IF THIS SAFETY ISSUE OCCURS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THESE CARS SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED ONTO THE FRONT TIRE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SUSPENSION THE BOLT CONNECTING THE WHEEL HUB TO THE UPPER PART OF THE MCPHERSON STRUT WAS MISSING. THIS ALLOWED THE STRUT TO FLEX SIDEWAYS WHICH CAUSED THE BOTTOM BRACKET OF THE STRUT CRACK AND FAIL. THIS ALLOWED THE ENTIRE CAR TO FALL ONTO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS ALSO INSPECTED AND THE SAME BOLT WAS FOUND TO BE APPROXIMATELY 2/3 LOOSENED. BOTH FRONT STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER SHE WAS ONLY DOING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AS SHE HAD JUST MADE A TURN. *NM

I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C-230 KOMPRESSOR EARLY THIS MONTH IT STARTED TO LURCH AFTER STOPPING THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WE THOUGHT A VEHICLE HAD RUN INTO US BUT COULD FIND NO MARKS, THEN IT STARTED DOING IT AFTER ALMOST EVERY STOP, THE DEALER, CHANDLER MERCEDES BENZ HAS THE CAR NOW BUT CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, AND YES IT HAS DONE IT WHILE THEY DROVE IT. *JB

ERROR MESSAGE APPEARING ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY STATING THAT "UNDER VOLTAGE CONSUMER DEFECTIVE!" ALONG WITH A "BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP" ERROR. TAKING THE CAR TO A SERVICE STATION INDICATES THAT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS FAULTY. CURRENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR ALL MERCEDES MODELS EXCEPT MINE IN THE USA. EVENTUALLY THE BATTERY BECAME DISCHARGED. *JB

I LEASED A MERCEDES BENZ C230 COMPRESSOR FOR MY DAUGHTER IN 2001. THE SUN ROOF DIDN'T SLIDE BACK ON THE EXTERIOR OR THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER DISMANTLED THE SUN ROOF. MERCEDES REFUNDED THE FIRST MONTH'S LEASE PAYMENT SINCE SHE DID NOT HAVE USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST MONTH. AFTER ONE YEAR THE SUN ROOF NEEDED ADDITIONAL REPAIR. AT 31,000 MILES - THE POWER STEERING FAILED THE BRAKES FAILED AND WERE REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKE THE SUN ROOF ONCE AGAIN WASN'T WORKING... THE INTERIOR SLIDING MECHANISM FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THE COOLANT SENSOR FAILED, THE CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE SENSOR REGISTERED COOL. CURRENTLY AT 37,000 MILES - THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TAKEN APART BECAUSE IT WASN'T SHIFTING GEARS. THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LEFT TURN HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FLASHER BROKE. WHILE THEY WERE FIXING THE TRANSMISSION THEY SOMEHOW DAMAGED THE REAR WINDOW AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS NOW BEING REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON OCCASIONALLY. MERCEDES CEASED TO MANUFACTURE THIS VEHICLE IN 2005. MY DAUGHTER SPOKE TO THE REGIONAL REP., HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE, RUDE AND HUNG UP ON HER. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN AND JEOPARDIZE MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY. THE ENGINE COULD BREAK DOWN BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE SENSOR THAT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIX. THE INCIDENT DATE THAT FOLLOWS IS TH

SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, LOST POWER THAT CONTROLLED THE , BRAKES , STEERING, ETC. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WENT INTO TRAFFIC AND STRUCK OTHER VEHICLES AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

(1) NORMAL DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC; (2) NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING; FEELING OF COLLAPSE OF RIGHT FRONT LIKE FLAT TIRE;CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLOWLY; COMPUTER MESSAGE-ELECTRIC DE-STABILIZER NOT LOCATED; PARKED AND CALLED TOW COMPANY; TOW TRUCK DRIVER PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO ENABLE TOWING; RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED WITH TIE ROD PROJECTING OUT; (3) A. STEERING ANGLE SENSOR,R&R; B. FSSB SERVICE; C. TIE ROD ENDS LEFT AND RIGHT REPLACED; D. FRONT STABILIZER BAR RUBBER BUSCHING AND LINKS AND THREAD HOLD FOR STABILIZER BAR BOLTS REPLACED. *JB

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR 90 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS IN LOCAL TRAFFIC ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLED. I NEEDED TO RESTART THE CAR BEFORE IT WOULD RUN BRIEFLY AND THEN STALL AGAIN. IT KEPT STALLING IN TRAFFIC BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. *JB

VEHICLE FIRE WITH 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C230.*MR CONSUMER NOTED FOUR FACTUAL ERRORS WITH THE REPORT PROVIDED TO MERCEDES-BENZ CORPORATE OFFICE. THE CONSUMER CORRECTED THE FACT THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE BENEATH THE CARPET AREA AND THE IDLE TEST THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS IRRELEVANT. THE CONSUMER STATED EXCESS HEAT CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE FIRE IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. *PH *JB

HAVE 2002 MERCEDES C 230 COUPE, 18000 MILES, ORIGINAL OWNER. HAD FLAT TIRE, RIGHT REAR, NO PUNCTURE NOTED BY TIRE REPAIR SHOP. SHOP STATED TIRES ALMOST TOTALLY WORN, WITH 2/32 TREAD ON RIGHT REAR AND 4/32 ON LEFT REAR, BOTH CENTER TREAD MEASUREMENT. FRONT TIRES A LITTLE BETTER. MICHELIN TIRES. BUT FOR INCIDENTAL FLAT TIRE WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 18000 MILES OR PROBABLY MUCH SOONER THAN THAT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, DEALERSHIP STATES NO WARRANTY ON TIRES. HAD ROUTINE SERVICE AND NOTED VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS PULLED TO RIGHT AND HAS HAD HARD POUNDING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHTEST BUMP. DEALER STATED NO PROBLEMS NOTED IN PULLING TO RIGHT OR IN THE POUNDING NOISE. SINCE FLAT TIRE, VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP AND HAS HAD STABILIZER BAR CONNECTING LINKS, TORSION ROD REPLACED. PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED LONG AGO. QUESTION WHETHER DEFECTIVE STABILIZER BARS CAUSED TIRES TO WEAR MUCH FASTER. NO INDICATION FROM DEALERSHIP. BELIEVE MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD BE PLACED ON NOTICE OF CONDITION. CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. MERCEDES BENZ AND/OR MICHELIN SHOULD ADVISE OF POTENTIAL LOW LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THEIR TIRES. TIRE SIZE, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 225/45 ZR 17 91Y. *AK

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IGNITED AND CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO CONTENTS NEXT TO VEHICLE IGNITING. *MR THE DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUGGESTED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO "FIX A FLAT." THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED DUE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH WAS DIRECTLY UNDER THE AREA THAT BURNED. *SCC *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ABS LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

ENGINE FAILS IN TRAFFIC AND STOPS, STARTS BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. I HADN'T REPORTED EARLIER CASES BECAUSE I ASSUMED IT WAS ME GETTING USE TO A NEW CAR. THIS IS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION VEHICLE WITH SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT GEARING THAN I AM USE TO. *NLM

THE CAR STALLED ON ME TWICE. ONE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 M/H. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND CAME BACK ON. THE SECOND TIME ON A STREET ROAD GOING 25M/H. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT BOTH TIMES AND THEY SAID THE COMPUTER SHOWS NO MALFUNCTIONS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK. *JB

PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 10,000 MILES AUG 2002. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE OCT 2002 AND DEALERSHIP SAY THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS SHOW NO PROBLEM AND THE STALLING/ROUGH IDLE IS NORMAL. THEY CAN'T FIND ANY ISSUES. *JB CAR STALLS (DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER)- WORSE ON HUMID DAYS, BUT EVERYDAY RUNS REALLY ROUGH UPON START UP. 50% OF THE TIME WILL COMPLETELY STALL. OTHER 50% IF I GAS THE CAR, IT RUNS REALLY ROUGH, BUT GETS ME OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. CAR ROUGHLY SWITCHES TO DRIVE. VERY LITTLE POWER WHEN SWITCHING TO DRIVE AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAR REDLINES UNTIL I GET TO ABOUT 20 MPH AND DOESN'T SEEM TO SWITCH TO SECOND (I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC) UNTIL I GET TO 20-25. POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING ON COLD DAYS- VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL UNTIL CAR GETS WARMED UP. EVEN ON DAYS WHEN ITS 40 DEGREES F. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN IT HAS BEEN COLDER THAN 15 DEGREES, THE STEERING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY UPSIDE DOWN AND YOU WOULD THINK THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT- IT DOES!- WHICH MEANS THE STEERING WHEEL AND POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING OR MY CAR WOULD NOT BE GOING STRAIGHT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH WAY MY TIRES ARE FACING! THE WORST AND MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THIS IS: ON 4 OCCASIONS SINCE DECEMBER 2002 UNTIL FEBRUARY 2003, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX 55 MPH, WENT OVER A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD AND COMPLETELY LOST POWER IN THE VEHICLE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS (EVERY SINGLE ONE) CAME ON. CAR IMMIDIATELY HALTED TO ABOUT 3 MPH, THE C

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ONTO A RAMP, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM HAD FUNCTION ERRATICALLY. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE INTO THE CURB. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS LIFE THREATENING. SCC

THE C230 COUPE SHUT OFF WHILE ON HIGHWAY

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO A RAMP. THE VEHICLE SLID WHICH CAUSED THE ESP (ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM)TO ENGAGE WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE HITTING INTO THE CURVE AND DAMAGING THE FRONT AND REAR LEFT VEHICLE SUSPENSION. TS THERE IS A GLITCH IN THE ESP SYSTEM. WHEN BRAKING THE ESP KICKS IN AS IF THE VEHICLE IS SLIDING WHEN IT IS NOT. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CURB INSTEAD OF BRAKING AS INTENDED. *JG

ENGINE STALLED (QUIT RUNNING) WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 62 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN ENGAGED AND I BRAKED MODERATELY TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. I MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED APPROX 4 - 6 TIMES TO RESTART. THE ENGINE FIRED BUT WOULD NOT RUN. FINALLY, AFTER APPROX. 30 SECONDS THE ENGINE FIRED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER HAS NOT CONTACTED ME YET TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BY MERCEDES TO CORRECT. DT

I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPEATED REPAIR: 1-7-02 TO 1-14-02, 2-14-01 TO 2-19-02, 3-4-02 TO 3-7-02, 5-2-02 TO 5-3-02, 5-21-02 TO 5-28-02, AND THE DEALER HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF ON ME. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE CAR WUILL SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, IN TRAFFIC, GOING UP A HILL, THEN THE DASHBOARD WILL LIGHT UP, MENTIONING SYSTEM FAILURE. I HAVE USED THE SOS BUTTON IN MY CARE REPEATEDLY TO GET HELP, BUT THAT IS STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ USA, AND MERCEDES IN STUTTGART GERMANY. I HAVE PUT THEM ON NOTICE TO PURCHASE THE CAR BACK FROM ME, AND THEY HAVE A WEEK AND A HALF LEFT TO RESPOND. I TRY TO NOT TO DRIVR THE CAR A LOT, WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE, BUT FRANKLY, I AM SCARED THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN, BECAUSE IT HAS SHUT OFF ON ME ON I75 GOING 60 PLUS MILES AN HOUR. IT IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

INITIALLY THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE CAR LOST POWER, IN TRAFFIC, DURING A TURN. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY, AND THE ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED THERE WAS "NO MALFUNCTION" OCCURRING. UPON ARRIVAL AT MY DESTINATION THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER BEING PLACED IN PARK, AS I CONSIDERED BACKING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AT LEAST 4 TIMES ON 3 DIFFERENT DAYS, AND CAN OFFER NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PERFORMANCE.*AK