1999 Mercedes Benz E320

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, CEILING, AND BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF GREENWICH, 261 WEST PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH, CT) WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

8/31/18 IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE (FROM A FIRE BUT NO FLAME WAS SEEN) I HAD TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS TO BREATH AND SEE. MY HOME WAS WITHIN SIGHT SO I DROVE TO THE MIDDLE OF MY LAWN AWAY FROM ANY BUILDING, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. I AS QUICKLY AS POSABLE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO SHUT DOWN.

TAKATA RECALL SRS LIGHT ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT

MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND THE SMELL OF THE GAS IS REALLY BAD FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF FUEL TANK LEAKS ON MODEL YEAR 2003-08 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS VEHICLES SHOWS ME THAT THE E-CALLS HAS THIS ISSUE BUT MY CAR IS A 1999. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WAS THE YEAR BASED SOLELY ON THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY OR OTHER FACTS ALSO.

1999 E320 RIGHT FRONT UPPER COIL SPRING MOUNT ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM FRAME. THIS PROBLEM IS FREQUENT ON THIS MODEL AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL UNDER A FAILURE CONDITION. THE LEFT COIL SPRING CAP IS FINE, AS IT IS IN MOST CASES I'VE RESEARCHED. - I FOUND THIS PROBLEM JUST BEFORE IT BROKE WHILE REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKES, AND THIS PARTS FAILURE REQUIRES REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECTED AREA AND PARTS. THE REPAIR IS ~$550.00 AND IS A MUST TO USE THE CAR SAFELY. - MERCEDES BENZ CERTAINLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS FAILED TO AT LEAST NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL THAT USERS EXPECT TO LAST FOR DECADES. THIS IS NOT A "NORMAL" PROBLEM.

I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, GOING ~5 MPH, WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION BY MY HEAD AND THE AIR CURTAINS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SELF-DEPLOYED. AFTER THAT MY HUSBAND, A MECHANIC, DEACTIVATED THE SRS USING THE SWITCH ON THE CONSOLE OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE AIR CURTAINS AND AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SELF-DEPLOYED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THEN ON OR ABOUT JULY 31, 2014, A CLEAR DAY, AROUND 8:30 A.M. WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION, THE SEATBELT RETRACTED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT CAUSED A PAINFUL BLOW TO HIS CHEST AND PINNED HIM INTO THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. AT FIRST HE THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SHOT BECAUSE OF THE NOISE FROM THE EXPLOSION, IT WAS HARD TO BREATHE AND PAINFUL. HOWEVER, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, HE REALIZED IT WAS THE SEATBELT AND STRUGGLED TO RELEASE IT. THE SEATBELT PUT A GASH IN HIS LEFT SHOULDER THROUGH HIS CLOTHES. (WE HAVE PICTURES OF THE GASH.) IN ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS, WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD, WE HAVE NOT BEEN SPEEDING, AND, THEREFORE, DID NOT CALL THE POLICE. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT NO LONGER WORKS, AND DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE SEAT BELT WOULD VIOLATE A NEW JERSEY STATUTE. WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE MORE AIRBAGS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF SPONTANEOUSLY SELF-DEPLOYING WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. WE'VE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND WERE T

THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT NEAR THE REAR TIRE. I HAD IT FIXED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. I CURRENTLY HAVE A FUEL LEAK AT THE SAME PLACE. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 141,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE APPEARED TO BE LOWERED. AFTER TAKING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL OFF THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND THE SUSPENSION WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

MY CAR SKIDDED OF THE ROAD AFTER I TRIED TO BRAKE IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE TWO RIGHT WHEELS OF THE CAR WERE IN A PUDDLE. I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS ON A RAMP APPROACHING HIGHWAY 101, AND I WAS NOT SPEEDING. IT WAS A REALLY SCARY MOMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. *JS

JUST LIKE THE GM CARS NOW BEING RECALLED, MY CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO BE REPAIRED---AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE IMMEDIATELY, AS THE MECHANIC HAD DONE TAKEN CAR OF A CAR THAT HAD THE IDENTICAL "PROBLEM" JUST THE WEEK BEFORE. PARTS REPLACED WERE L CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND AIR MASS METER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DEFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE WAS ADDED TO THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ALUMINUM WHEEL RIM WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,832. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, AN ABNORMAL HISSING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FILLER NECK. AS THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FROM THE FILLER NECK VALVE, FUEL SPEWED FROM THE FILLER NECK ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,011.

AS I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE ON THE ON RAMP MY REAR U JOINT ON FRONT DRIVE SHAFT CAME APART. SUBSEQUENTLY BOTH MY CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS WELL AS MY DRIVER FRONT DOOR AIR BAG. AS IT WAS CONSIDERED A MECHANICAL FAILURE MY INSURANCE WITH USAA DID NOT COVER ANYTHING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY FORCE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FRONT SPRING PERCH: THIS COMPONENT IS HEAVILY CORRODED. IT STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY WORK. SPRING IS NOTICIBLY BENT AND TOUCHING THE STRUTS WHICH IS CAUSING GRINDING AND VIBRATION. SPRING IS VERY CLOSE TO FALLING OFF WHICH WILL CAUSE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR TO DROP WHICH I BELIEVE IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE PART FAILS WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE HAVE MERCEDES BENZ ISSUE A RECALL REGARDING THIS MATTER. I WOULD HATE FOR PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ON THE TIRE WHEN THE SPRING PERCH THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED HE WAS NOT SURE IF HE COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND HE HAD TO ORDER THE REPAIR PARTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/21/11

THE SUSPENSION SPRING PERCH BROKEN AND SPRING COIL FELL OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR THE BRAKES WHEN HE WAS INFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE SPRING PERCH ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RUST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

DRIVER SIDE SRS AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. NOT RELATED TO ANY COLLISION OR ACCIDENT. CAR WAS STOPPED, IN PARK, WHEN DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BANGING INTO THE DRIVER LEFT SIDE AND ARM. IF THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STOPPED, THE DRIVER PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISE TO THE LEFT SIDE AND LEFT ARM

1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320, TRAVELING EASTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE. UNIT 1 HIT HER BRAKES AND A SMALL DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AND TORE A WIRE LOOSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BROKEN WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0858-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT WHERE IT WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AN INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED SOMETHING HAPPENED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SAY SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT WAS. UPDATED 02/28/11

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR, THE ABS LIGHTS ON AND THE ASR, FUSE NO 2 ON THE K40 MODULE WAS BLOWN AND THERE WERE ALSO CODES INDICATING THAT NO POWER WAS GOING TO THE ASR HYDRAULIC UNIT. THERE WAS NO SIGNAL FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SPEED SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED A WIRING HARNESS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER HAD SHORTED WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE AND CREATED A SMALL FIRE THAT BURNED AND DESTROYED THE INSULATING MATERIAL THROUGH APPROX. 7 INCHES OF THE HARNESS. THE SMALL FIRE ALSO BURNED THE INSULATING MATERIAL ON 2 OTHER WIRING HARNESS IN THE VICINITY. THE TECHNICIAN HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE TO BE RELATED TO THE LOCATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THE HARNESS WAS PINNED DOWN TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE BY THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE ADJACENT TO WHERE 2 PARTS OF THE BODY WHERE JOINED TOGETHER. THE POINT WHERE THE TWO PARTS OF THE BODY WERE JOINED TOGETHER CREATED A SHARP EDGE. OVER TIME THE VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE CAUSES THE SHARP EDGE TO CUT INTO THE WIRING HARNESS EVENTUALLY WEARING IT TO BARE WIRE. WHEN THE BARE WIRE SHORTED WITH THE BODY, THE FIRE WAS CREATED THUS BURNING A SECTION TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND THUS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTIONS INDICATED ABOVE. OVERALL, THE TECHNICIAN AND MANY OTHER REPORTS CLAIM THAT THIS WAS MERCEDES BENZ'S DESIGN FLAW AND FAILURE THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS PLACED INCONVENIENTLY UNDERNEATH THE REFR

ENGINE JUST STOPS RUNNING/STALLING AFTER FROM 15 - 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE MIDWAY THROUGH LEFT TURNS. (SCARY!) CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME AND ANY SPEED. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEPTEMBER 12, 1998 I PURCHASED A 1999 E320W.] I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS DRIVEN LEISURELY. TO DATE, IT ONLY HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN REGULARLY OBTAINING THE A & B MAINTENANCE SERVICES. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR MONTHS AND MB ALLEGEDLY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT; AND I HAVE BEEN USING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. A SECOND OPINION MECHANIC SAID IT IS OIL SLUGGING WHICH WAS RECALLED BUT MB WON'T HONOR. HE ALSO SAID MY ENGINE / MOTOR NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT SCRAPING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. DURING ALL OF THE SERVICES TO MB THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL NOR PROVIDED SERVICE TO ENSURE THAT MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A TOTAL RECALL BUT A CASE-BY-CASE SITUATION AND I AM NOT ELIGIBLE. I AM VERY FEARFUL WHEN I AM DRIVING. EACH TIME I GO OUT I FEAR WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR A ENGINE. PLEASE HELP ME. I CAN PROVIDE A TIMELINE OF THE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE WHICH WITH HINDSIGHT LOOKS LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON. THE SECOND OPINION MECHANIC INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL/CLASS ACTION BUT MB CONCEALED THE INFORMATION. *TR THE LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE SERPENTINE BELT, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FUEL SENSOR LEVEL WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A SHIMMY IN THE SUSPENSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS IN 1999 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL E320S. CARMAKER SAID TRANSMISSIONS DID NOT REQUIRE SERVICING BECAUSE THEY WERE SEALED. POLICY ONLY APPLIED TO CARS SOLD IN US. RESEARCH REVEALED THIS WAS BECAUSE DEALERSHIPS IN THE US WANTED A PROGRAM TO HELP SELL CARS. THEY THOUGHT IF MZB INCLUDED THE MAINTENANCE IN THE PRICE OF THE CAR, MORE PEOPLE WOULD BUY THEM. HOWEVER, MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING ME DISCOVERED THIS WASN'T TRUE AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE FAR LEFT. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO SWAY THE VEHICLE INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO AVOID HITTING A PASSING VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHERE THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE. NEITHER THE FRONT DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE AND EMT ARRIVED AND THE DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK, HANDS, HEAD AND SHOULDERS. THE POLICE DETERMINED THAT CAUSE OF THE CRASH WAS A RESULT OF HIS PASSENGER REAR TIRE BEING FLAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FLAT WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 140,000.

AFTER TURNING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A REPAIR SHOP, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THAT THE FRONT SPRING PERCH HAD FAILED. *TR

FUNNY NOISES FROM FRONT END, THEN SUSPENSION DROPPED, DISENGAGING FROM FRAME.*TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRACING THAT HELD THE SHOCK AND SPRING FAILED. UPDATED 10/09/08. *JB UPADTED 03/01/10

99 MERCEDES BENZ WITH CRACKS ALONG THE SEAMS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD AIRBAGS**CC *JB

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320. VEHICLE HAS 31000 MILES; KEPT IN GARAGE. REPLACED DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR AT $350 COST 2 YEARS AGO. PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR IS NOW INOPERATIVE. I AM RETIREE AND NO ONE RIDES IN BACK SEAT. REAR WINDOWS OPENED IN SUMMER ONLY. CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS REGARDING CONCERN. ALL ADVISE NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESSING PROBLEM. OWNED SEVERAL BRAND AUTOS IN PAST; NEVER THIS PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF THEM.*JB THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE REAR LEFT TIRE HAD A BLOW OUT ,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE SERVICE DEALER AND TIRE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, BACK, NECK, AND SPINAL INJURIES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS PIRELLI . *AK

CRANK POSITION SENSOR (CPS) STARTED TO FAIL WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE 95F. CAR (1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320) FAILED TO START TWICE WHEN PARKED AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. ONLY AFTER COOLING IT WOULD START AGAIN. AT ONE POINT THE ENGINE BECAME VERY ERRATIC WHILE IN TRAFFIC. AT ANOTHER POINT I WAS STOPPED ON THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR HOME AND AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED AGAIN. IT WAS EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST , HAVING A MB CAR STALL IN FRONT OF OTHER MUCH CHEAPER CARS ON THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS USING THIS CAR FOR ONLY SHORT TRIPS AND DID NOT INCUR THE RISK OF HAVING IT STALL ON A HIGHWAY, BUT I AM SURE IT WOULD AS LONG AS THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE A CERTAIN POINT. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING MB CAR OWNERS CHAT/FORUM ROOM WITH DISCUSSIONS ON THE MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS: HTTP://WWW.MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=80989. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED BY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE AIR MASS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED ALSO OWNS AN ML320 WHICH HAD THE SAME FAILURE JULY 2006. IF THE AIR MASS SENSOR IS NOT REPLACED, FURTHER DAMAGE CAN RESULT TO THE ENGINE.

CONSUMER 1999 E320 HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH 110,000 MILES ON IT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 55,000 MILES. BEFORE THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE HAD A TIRE LEAK AND A DEFECTIVE LAMP ASSEMBLY. *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT - IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS GOING APPROX. 40 MPH. I WAS HIT DIRECTLY ON BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR (DRIVER'S SIDE) OF MY VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE COST OVER $10,600 TO REPAIR. THE AIRBAGS IN MY 1999 MERCEDES E320 DID NOT DEPLOY. MERCEDES SENT SOMEONE OVER TO INSPECT THE CAR 9 WEEKS AGO AND HAS NOT RESPONDED TO SEVERAL CALLS FROM ME INQUIRING ABOUT THE FAILURE. BOTH THE AMBULANCE ATTENDANTS AT THE SCENE AND THE MERCEDES CERTIFIED REPAIRMAN AGREED THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED - HOWEVER, MERCEDES BENZ WILL NOT ISSUE A REPORT TO ME. I AM NOW DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN AND FEAR THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE FAULTY. *JB

I BOUGHT A MERCEDES ML320 IN 2003 AS CERTIFIED CAR WITH ONLY 45628 MILES. I DROVE ON MY WAY FROM MARIPOSA ON 8/23/05 THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOW GEAR AND REFUSED SHIFT TO HIGH GEAR AUTOMATICALLY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE MAINTAINING A LOW SPEED BACK HOME. ON 8/24/05 I BROUGHT THE ML320 TO FRESNO MERCEDES FOR REPAIR. FINALLY I FOUND THAT THEY SOLD ME ML320 WITHOUT PROPER DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE CAR PREVIOUS HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION AND SERVICES IN 2003. I WOULD NOT BUY THAT CAR IF I WAS TOLD ML320 HAVING HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 76349 MILES DID INDICATE THAT MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD ENDANGER THE DRIVER'S LIFE IN FREEWAY AT 65 MILES WHEN FOLLOWING CAR COULD HIT FROM BEHIND AS A RESULT OF NO PROPER WARNING SIGNAL LIKE BRAKE LIGHT. IT IS PROPER THAT YOUR GOOD OFFICE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. EVEN MORE, IF IT WARRANT ML320 SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE IT COULD HAPPEN TO ENDANGER PUBLIC SAFETY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT 100,000 WARRANTY MUST BE EQUALLY PRINTED WITH ONE YEAR WARRANTY WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. OTHERWISE, WHEN YOU BUY A CERTIFIED CAR YOU THOUGHT YOU BOUGHT 50,000 MILES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. IT COULD WARRANT ONE YEAR AND IT IS VERY MISLEADING. YOUR ATTENTION IS INVITED TO THIS MATTER STRONGLY. SINCERELY YOURS MICHAEL. *JB

DT: FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON CAR EXPLODED CAUSING DAMAGE TO HUB AND SPINDLE ALSO DAMAGING BRAKES. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE AND LAST YEAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 50,000 AND THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED AT 60,000. IT IS A CONTAINED UNIT, SO IT CAN NOT BE MAINTAINED AS THOUGH YOU COULD JUST ADD LUBRICATION. SERVICE DEALER WAS SURPRISED AT HOW THIS OCCURRED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *TT *SB *NM

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED BY AAA. *AK *JB

AS I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM MY ENGINE. I STARTED LOSING POWER STEERING AND MY BATTERY CHARGER LIGHT KEPT FLASHING INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME SAFELY.*AK AFTER SAFELY DRIVING HOME, I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED HUGE CHUNKS OF RUBBER PARTS INSIDE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD BEEN DAMAGED. WHEN THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS DAMAGED, IT IN TURN RUINED THE OIL PAN COVER AND THE TIMING CHAIN COVER RESULTING IN A $2500 REPAIR BILL. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED HE WOULD WRITE MERCEDS TO SEE IF SOME OF THE COSTS CAN BE DEFRAYED AND WILL BE GETTING BACK TO ME. I HIGHLY DOUBT ANY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT WILL BE DEFRAYED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN MERCEDES AND THE E320.

THE REGULATOR ON THE WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AT LEAST EVERY 6 MONTHS THE CHECK EGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER REPAIRS WHERE DONE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN LOSING POWER AND NOW WILL NOT SHIFT SINCE THE PURCHASE. *AK

DURING NORMAL OPERATION I EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AND THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. I BARELY MISSED HITTING SEVERAL ROADSIDE OBSTACLES AND WAS NEARLY STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH SPEED ROADWAY. I AM A WOMAN OF OVER 70 YEARS OF AGE AND DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO WRESTLE A 3000 POUND CAR AROUND WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. I HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL AND AVOIDING A COLLISION. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED NEARLY 20 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AT A COST OF $4500.00. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD A FAILURE OF THE HARMONIC BALANCER ON THE ENGINE WHICH DESTROYED A LARGE NUMBER OF SURROUNDING PARTS. THE DAMAGED PARTS WERE REPLACED AND THE BALANCER WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE OLD PART HAS BEEN REQUESTED FROM THE DEALER.*AK

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT ARM SEAL ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN OUT PART. *AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM DURING THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY THAT WAS APPARENTLY REPAIRED BY FOX VALLEY MERCEDES. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT ARM OF THE RACK HAD A SPONTANEOUS SEAL FAILURE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSTEERABLE AND NOT CONTROLLABLE. *SC

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND CROSSED THE MEDIUM INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER IT CROSSED THE SIDEWALK, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. MH . *AK

WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE THE FRONT DROPPED TO THE GROUND. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE SUSPENSION SPRINGS FELL TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. UPON IMPACT, SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ON 3 OCCASIONS PUMPING GAS IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH GASOLINE SPEWING OUT OF THE TANK AFTER I REMOVE THE PUMP NOZZLE. IT WAS NOT A SIMPLE FAILURE OF THE PUMP TO TURN OFF. IT SEEMED LIKE AIR PRESSURE BUILT UP MUCH LIKE PUMPING UP AN AIR CANISTER TO SPRAY WEED KILLER ON A YARD. THE GASOLINE COVERED MY ARM AND SPRAYED ONTO THE PUMP. EACH OCCASION WAS AT A DIFFERENT STATION AND ALL OF THE STATIONS WERE RELATIVELY NEW. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT OUR REGULAR SERVICE STATION. *LA

CONSUMER STATED THAT REAR WINDOW WAS HARD TO ROLL UP DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PULLEY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. *AK *JB