2000 Mercedes Benz S Class

Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

Risk. DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.

Risk. CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE HOLDER AND DISABLING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE ABILITY TO DEFROST OR DEFOG THE WINDSHILED IN COLD OR HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE STATIC BUILD-UP IN THE TRUNK FLOOR MATS CAN CAUSE A STATIC DISCHARGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS MOVE OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT.

Risk. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STATIC INSULATION PANEL BETWEEN THE CARPET AND THE VEHICLE BATTERY WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ELECTRICAL GROUNDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN INTERNAL DEFECT IN THE CIRCUITRY OF THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, THE REGULATOR MAY OVERHEAT.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE SURROUNDING PLASTIC, INSULATION, AND WIRING TO DEFORM AND POSSIBLY MELT OR BURN.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES S430. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST OR SLOW SHE WAS TRAVELING, HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE, OR HOW MUCH OIL WAS IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 06V028000 ( INTERIOR LIGHTING) AND ADVISED HER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 98,000.

MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 CLUSTER ,BACK LIGHTING , SPEEDOMETER FAILED (UNABLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON APRIL ,3 2011 MILEAGE AT TIME OF DEFECT 24,568 I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND , I WAS INFORM THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED (RECALL). SO I CALLED THE MERCEDES1-800-367-6372 NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THE SAME I WAS COVERED BUT EXPIRED. SO I CALLED NHTSA 1800 NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD STILL BE COVERED BECAUSE THE RECALL TOOK PLACE IN 2006 AND IT IS 10 YEARS BEFORE IT EXPIRES SO UNTIL 2016. SO I WILL APPRECIATE SOME HELP CONCERNING MY PROBLEM. V.I,N [XXX] NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 CLUSTER BACK LIGHTING IS GOING IN AND OUT ALSO SPEEDOMETER I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WENT IN ON MAY 28 TO SEE THEM PENSKE MERCEDES(626) 859-1200 , I WAS INFORM THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED (RECALL). SO I CALLED THE MERCEDES1-800-367-6372 ([XXX], CASE MANAGER) NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THE SAME I WAS COVERED BUT EXPIRED. SO I CALLED NHTSA 1800 NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD STILL BE COVERED BECAUSE THE RECALL TOOK PLACE IN 2006 AND IT IS 10 YEARS BEFORE IT EXPIRES SO UNTIL 2016. SO I WILL APPRECIATE SOME HELP CONCERNING MY PROBLEM. V.I,N [XXX] NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SUSPENSION HAD DROPPED AND WAS NOT POSITIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THERE WAS A FRONT SUSPENSION KIT THAT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN EIGHTEEN MONTHS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THE KIT DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 ( SUSPENSION) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500 FAILED AND BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REACH SPEED IN EXCESS OF 100M.P.H. BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHUT DOWN BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. UPON A MECHANICS INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MECHANICAL SAFETY DEVICE TO PREVENT THE PEDAL FROM BECOMING STUCK HAD FAILED CAUSING THE PEDAL TO GO TO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE AND BECOME STUCK IN THAT POSITION. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO CAMPAIGN NO 2006080004, SEPTEMEBER 2006 FOR MERCEDES S500 (MODEL 220), MODEL YEAR 2000. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS COMPLETELY FAILED WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF ILLUMINATION, SPEEDOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE. MY CHASSIS END NUMBER IS A123394 AND THIS DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE NARROW SERIAL NUMBER RANGE WITHIN THE ORIGINAL RECAL CAMPAIGN. I UNDERSTAND ALL PARTS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE RECALLED AND AND REQUESTING THAT THE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE BE WIDENED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN USUAL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAD ALLOWED THE FRAME TO RUB THE TOP OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN FIVE YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,038. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS TOO BRIGHT. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FUEL GAUGE ADJUSTED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V141000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER) WAS THE EXACT AND PRECISE PROBLEM THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM HIS HEATER BLOWER FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED WHEN IT STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V227000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS) YET THE BLOWER WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V141000 (EQUIPMENT: ELECTRICAL: AIR CONDITIONER) YET THE DEALER REFUSED THE REPAIR, STATING THAT THE BLOWER REGULATOR WAS NOT A COMPONENT COVERED BY THE RECALL REPAIR. THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,789.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ SCLASS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO BLINK AND THE LIGHTING WHICH ILLUMINATES THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000, INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430.THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. SHE STATED THAT WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, SHE COULD NOT SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS BUT DID NOT GIVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,416.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON 2000 MY MERCEDES BENZ S500 ILLUMINATION FAILED. CANNOT SEE GAUGES NOR ODOMETER. AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. BOTH DEALER AND M-B USA DENY COVERAGE UNDER THEIR 10-YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. THE CAR WAS PLACED IN SERVICE IN 12/99 AND WAITED FOR 10 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS BEFORE FAILURE. FORMERLY KNOWN FOR DURABILITY AND RELIABILITY OVER MANY YEARS, THE COMPANY IS NOW UNWILLING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHY WOULD THERE BE ANY TIME LIMIT ON A KNOWN SAFETY FAILURE? *TR

THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM ON MY MERCEDES BENZ S-500 HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CAR-BODY DROPPED AND IS RESTING ON THE TIRES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. MY AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAIL AND MY CAR FRONT WENT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. MY TIRES START RUBBING INTO MY WHEEL WELL AND STARTED SMOKING. THE PROBLEM LEFT THE FRONT END DAMAGE. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX BY A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. SIX MONTH LATER THE PROBLEM ARISE AGAIN. I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR THAT I MIGHT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEPTEMBER 2009 AIR BLOWER TO HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUSE. AIR BLOWER WORKED FOR 2 DAYS. RETURNED NOVEMBER 2009 AND WAS TOLD AIR BLOWER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. FEBRUARY 2010 AUTOMATIC TRUNK LOCKS QUIT WORKING. NOW TRUNK LOCK ONLY WORKS WITH KEY, NO LONGER AUTOMATIC. MARCH 2010 AIR BLOWER REPLACED. WORKED ONE WEEK, THEN BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL IT NO LONGER WORKS. MARCH 2010 DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER, THEN ENTIRE DASH WENT OUT. DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER AUTOMATIC, NO INDICATORS FOR SPEEDOMETER, TURN SIGNALS, TEMPERATURE CONTROLS ETC. MECHANIC CHECKED AND REPLACED FUSE. NO RESULTS. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. INTERNET RESEARCH RESULTED IN IDENTIFYING RECALL OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR 2000 "S" SERIES, BUT THAT MY VIN #[XXX] IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS THAT ALL THESE MALFUNCTIONS ARE COMMON AMONG THE 2000 "S" SERIES ALONG WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTION AND DOES APPEAR TO BE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ISSUE. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HE HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FOR SPECIFICALLY THE "S" SERIES, PRIMARILY YEAR 2000 AND HAS SEEN MANY OF THE ISSUES WITH MY S430 CORRELATING TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTION. *TR

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT DARK WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 MERCEDES S500

I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMPER (OR FENDER). I DID NOT NOTICE ANY VISIBLE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE OTHER THAT THE CAR WAS SITTING SO LOW THAT A GOOD FIVE INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE TIRE WAS INSIDE THE FENDER. IT WAS THEN THAT I REALIZED WHERE THE NOISE AND VIBRATION CAME FROM. THE SPEED THAT I WAS TRAVELING WHEN THIS HAPPENED WAS 20MPH. I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE TRAVEL SPEED WOULD BE OVER 55MPH (A VERY COMMON SPEED FOR FREEWAY DRIVING IN THE CITY), WHAT ABOUT OVER 70MPH IN RURAL AREAS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT (HOPEFULLY NOT ALREADY). IF A MOVING PART COMES TO CONTACT WITH A NON MOVING ON AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE CONSEQUENCE COULD BE LETHAL. ACCORDING TO MY REASERCH, ALL THE W220 CHASIS MERCEDES-BENZ HAVE THIS "AROMATIC SUSPENSION" PROBLEM, ALL THE MECHANICS ALSO AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FOR A POSSIBILITY FOR A RECALL BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. THANK YOU. *CW

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BECAME SO HOT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TOUCH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE BLOWER MOTOR IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V141000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER) IN FEBRUARY OF 2005; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL SHOULD STILL BE VALID BECAUSE THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REPAIR WAS DONE INCORRECTLY OR DONE WITH FAULTY PARTS. UPDATED 04/28/09.*JB

ON FEBRUARY 7 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 S430 MB SEDAN AND HIT A CURB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DAMAGED ESTIMATED WAS OVER $6000.00. MY REPAIR SHOP, MASTERCRAFTERS INC. AT 7406-08 WESTMORE RD. IN ROCKVILLE, MD NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGES TO THE CAR. THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION,FRAME OR FRONT END DAMAGE. MR. KEN MORAN , THE OWNER SAID THAT FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT ANY OTHER DAMAGE WAS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL AND FELT THAT THIS WAS AN INSTANCE OF A PROBABLE DEFECTIVE SENSOR OR OTHER AIRBAG COMPONENT FAILURE. I AM NOTIFYING MERCEDES BENZ OF THIS OCCURRENCE, SINCE I FEEL THAT THIS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS EVENT WILL SURELY CAUSE MY INSURANCE RATES TO GO UP AS WELL. A COPY OF THIS COMPLAINT WILL BE SENT TO USSA, MY INSURER, AND TO MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RIDE VERY LOW ON A CONSTANT BASIS. THE AIR SUSPENSION INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE AND REMAIN LIT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WOULD LIFT UP AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK IN THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE IN HEIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

A SIMPLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHICH LED TO AIR BAG EXPLODED, AND INJURING MY DAUGHTER IN THE RIGHT EYE, AND LOSS OF VISION, BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAS SHARP EDGES WITH THE STITCH ON THE SURFACE OF THIS TO BEAT TOUCHING THE PASSENGER AND HIS FACE. *TR

A SIMPLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHICH LED TO AN EXPLOSION CAR AIR BAGS, AND INJURING MY DAUGHTER IN THE RIGHT EYE, AND LOSS OF VISION, BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAS SHARP EDGES WITH THE STITCH ON THE SURFACE OF THIS TO BEAT TOUCHING THE PASSENGER AND HIS FACE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS A SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE PEDAL AND REGULATES THE SPEED. IF THE SWITCH FAILS TO CONNECT, THE ENGINE DOES NOT REV. IF IT FALLS SHORT, THE VEHICLE GOES INTO FULL ACCELERATION WHETHER IT IS IN REVERSE OR PARK. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AT MAXIMUM SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC WOULD COST $100 AND $350 TO REPAIR THE SWITCH. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

THIS CAR HAS AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHICH HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO SPRINGS, INSTEAD EACH SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE REAR OF THE CAR DROPS DOWN AND THE CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED. WHEN ONLY ONE OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DEVELOPS A SMALL AIR LEAK, THE CAR DOES NOT LOOSE MUCH HEIGHT AND THERE IS LOSS OF TRACTION IN THE TIRE IN THE INVOLVED SIDE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT VEHICLE WEIGHT BEING APPLIED TO IT. THIS LOSS OF TRACTION IN ONLY ONE TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO SPIN ON LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION, BUT WORSE, IT CAUSES THE TIRE TO "LOCK UP" ON BRAKING. THE ABS SYSTEM GETS ACTIVATED AND IN TRYING TO PREVENT THIS "LOCK UP", THE ABS SYSTEM DECREASES THE BRAKING FORCE ON THE REMAINING 3 TIRES CAUSING MARKED DECREASE IN BRAKING CAPACITY. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BRAKING DISTANCE IS EXTENSIVELY PROLONGED, POSING AN EXTREME HAZARD. THIS IS A SEVERE DESIGN FLAW WHICH MERITS IMMEDIATE CORRECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER, OR ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SUSPENSION FROM BEING INSTALLED IN ANY VEHICLE SOLD IN THE USA. THIS IS A SEVERE DESIGN FLAW WHICH MERITS IMMEDIATE CORRECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER, OR ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SUSPENSION FROM BEING INSTALLED IN ANY VEHICLE SOLD IN THE USA. *TR

THIS CAR HAS AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHICH HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO SPRINGS, INSTEAD EACH SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR WHEN BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE REAR OF THE CAR DROPS DOWN AND THE CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED, POSING NO HAZARD. BUT WHEN ONLY ONE OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DEVELOPS A SMALL AIR LEAK, THE CAR DOES NOT LOOSE MUCH HEIGHT AND THERE IS LOSS OF TRACTION IN THE TIRE IN THE INVOLVED SIDE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT VEHICLE WEIGHT BEING APPLIED TO IT. THIS LOSS OF TRACTION IN ONLY ONE TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO SPIN ON LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION, BUT WORSE, IT CAUSES THE TIRE TO "LOCK UP" ON BRAKING. IMMEDIATELY THE ABS SYSTEM GETS ACTIVATED AND IN TRYING TO PREVENT THIS "LOCK UP", THE ABS SYSTEM DECREASES THE BRAKING FORCE ON THE REMAINING 3 TIRES CAUSING MARKED DECREASE IN BRAKING CAPACITY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BRAKING DISTANCE IS EXTENSIVELY PROLONGED, POSING AN EXTREME HAZARD. THIS IS A SEVERE DESIGN FLAW WHICH MERITS IMMEDIATE CORRECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER, OR ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SUSPENSION FROM BEING INSTALLED IN ANY VEHICLE SOLD IN THE USA.

FAILURE OF "AIRMATIC" SUSPENSION ALLOWS FRONT OF CAR TO DROP DOWN TO THE POINT THAT THE TIRES RUB ON THE FENDERS. APPARENTLY THERE IS NO FAILSAFE TO PREVENT A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SUDDENLY BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,200.

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2008 THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, INSTEAD DASH READ SOMETHING LIKE CLUSTER FAILURE WITH A LIGHTNING BOLT IN THE CENTER. THERE WERE NO TURN SIGNALS EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHEN THE LEVER WAS PUSHED. WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR THE DASH READ 1 MALFUNCTION. I HAVE NOTICED IT WORKING AGAIN, HOWEVER NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN. I BROUGHT THIS UP WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL, BUT MY VIN IS OUT OF RANGE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON 95 NORTH LEAVING FLORIDA AND THE FRONT END OF MY CAR DROPPED. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH. FEARING FOR MY LIFE I ATTEMPTED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT IT WAS VERY HARD TO EVEN TURN THE WHEEL. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEN ON INTERSTATE 83 IN BALTIMORE CITY, THE OTHER SIDE DROP AND I EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. THE FAILURE THAT HAPPEN IN FLORIDA I WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF ORLANDO AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS PROBLEM OFTEN. THE SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK MY CAR TO PARS AUTO IN TOWSON , MD AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE BEEN DOING ABOUT TWO TO THREE OF THESE CARS A WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2000 S 500 AIRMATIC FAILURE. CAR INOPERABLE. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LOWER TO AN UNDRIVABLE HEIGHT, I CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN MY MERCEDES BENZ S500 FINALLY FAILED AFTER ACTING UP FOR SOME TIME. THE WHOLE CAR SUDDENLY SANK TO THE GROUND AND MADE DRIVING UNSAFE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. MY RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM ON BENSWORLD AND OTHER SITES SHOWED THAT THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THESE CARS. MERCEDES IS SO WELL AWARE OF THIS THAT THEY SELL A REPAIR KITS FOR LEAKS IN THE STRUTS ($126 TIMES 2!) AS WELL AS STOCKING MANY AIR COMPRESSORS ($360) TO REPLACE THE ONES THAT GO BAD. PLUS MB CHARGES EXORBITANTLY HIGH PRICES FOR THE PARTS -- A SIMPLE ELECTRICAL RELAY FOR THE SUSPENSION WAS $75. THE PARTS COST ME OVER $700, AND I DID THE WORK MYSELF TO KEEP FROM BEING FURTHER RAPED BY MB TO FIX THIS DEFECT JUST SO I COULD DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY OUT. MY TURNING SIGNALS DID NOT WORK AND MY WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN MY TRUCK IT WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE KEY. I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET HELP WITH ENTERING THE TRUNK . THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE FUSED WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL# 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. *TR

I OWN A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500 SEDAN. WHILE PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT HOME, THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE DROPPED TO APPROXIMATELY 3" FROM THE GROUND WITHOUT WARNING, I HAD NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MB DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRMATIC PUMP ON THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1500.00 US. I'M HOPING THERE IS NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THANK GOD I WASN'T ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DROPPED APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES, WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AIR COMPRESSOR THAT CONTROLS THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 06/20/07. *JB

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINING THE SPEEDOMETER, GAUGES FOR GAS, ETC. WENT OFF AND THE STEERING COLUMN MOVED DOWN ALMOST TOUCHING MY LEGS BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION ON MY MERCEDES S CLASS 2000 MODEL. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND HAVE A PRINTOUT DATED 4/22-07 THAT SHOWS THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NUMBER 06V028000 FROM MERCEDES AND ALERTED TO THE PROBLEM AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. THE LOCAL DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THAT PRINTOUT AND SAID THAT IT HAD TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND SHOW UP ON THEIR COMPUTER IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I COULD BE 500 MILES MORE OR LESS FROM THIS DEALERSHIP WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST I WAS GOING, HOW MUCH FUEL I HAD IN THE VEHICLE, ETC. WHEN A RECALL IS ISSUED, I THOUGHT IT WAS MANDATORY THAT THE PROBLEM BE FIXED. *TR

S430 SEDAN MERCEDES_BENZ 2000, WHEN STOPPING THE CAR THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM PARK ,CAUSING THE DRIVER STUCK ON A FREEWAY 215 IN LAS VEGAS DUE TO AN ACCIDENT IN FRONT .THE TROOPERS TOLD EVERYONE TO TURN OFF THEIR CARS AS THERE WAS A 1 HOUR WAIT. STUCK AT A IN/OUT BURGER PLACE DRIVE UP WINDOW, CAUSING DISRRUPTION TO BUISNESS AND TRAFFIC BEHIND. *AK 3.STUCK AT HOME (LUCKILY) NEEDE TO BE DOLLIED TOWED TO DEALER. ADVISED BY TECHS AS WELL AS SERVICE ADVISORS THAT THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR 2000-2002 S CARS AND THAT MOST TECHS AND MANGEMENT KNOWS ABOUT IT. SO THEY NEED A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THESE CARS AND NOT STICK IT TO THE CUSTOMER AS THIS IS IN MY OPINION A SAFETY ISSUE.MY VEHICLE IS SERVICE BY AN AUTHORIZED MB DEALERSHIP FLETCHER-JONES IMPORTS IN LAS VEGAS WHERE THE VEHICLE SITS NOW.

HAD 2000 MERCEDES S500, CAR IN GARAGE FOR A WEEK, NOTICED THE CAR IS VERY LOW, TIRES ALMOST RUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE FENDERS, TURNED CAR ON AND WARNING MASSAGE SAID " CAR IS TOO LOW, STOP AERONAUTIC SYSTEM" RAISED THE CAR WITH A PANEL BUTTON, CAR RAISED. CALLED THE DEALER, SAID YOU CAN DRIVE IT. I DROVE IT AND IT VERY NOISY, THE SECOND DAY DID THE SAME, VERY LOW ALMOST ON THE GROUND. SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED BEFORE ABOUT SIX MONTH AGO,WHILE OUT OF THE STATE, TOLD BY THE DEALER IT NEED RESELLING THE AROMATIC SYSTEM. FIXED THAT TIME (OCTOBER 2006) COST ME ABOUT $650. PROBLEM KEEP GOING WITH THE SAME AROMATIC SYSTEM. LOOKED UP ONLINE, WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME AIRMATIC SYSTEM. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIRED, AND IF REPAIRED, IT KEEP FAILING OVER AND OVER. THERE MUST BE A RECALL TO CORRECT IT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, THE WHOLE SUSPENSION MIGHT COLLAPSE WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES. PLEAASE HELP, THANKS. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ SL340. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR THE TAIL LIGHTS DUE TO RECALL # 2006-080005. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR FOUR MONTHS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE FAILURES, BUT NEITHER HAVE PROVIDED A RESPONSE. THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS BURNED OUT TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE'S MOST RECENT REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 72,500 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. *AK

ATTN: ALI MOTAMEDAMIN, SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATOR/INSPECTOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN#: 06V-028. ON APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 14, 2005 WHILE DRIVING MY MERCEDES BENZ 2000 S430 ON INTERSTATE 285 IN ATLANTA, GA., THE DASHBOARD DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS TOTALLY FAILED AND I WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY GAUGES AND INDICATORS WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT APPROX. 65 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH ATLANTA WHO DETERMINED IT TO BE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEING INOPERABLE AND I WAS CHARGED FOR REPLACEMENT ON OCTOBER 19, 2005. RECENTLY I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL, NHSTA CAMPAIGN#:06V-028 AND WHEN I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN#/VMI WAS OUT OF THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. AT WHICH TIME I EXPRESSED THAT RECALL PART 573 AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF FAILURE APPLIED TO MY MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND I HAD DOCUMENTED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE REPAIR INVOICE SUPPORTING THAT FACT. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY COMPLAINT/CONCERN WOULD BE DOCUMENTED BUT NO ACTION/REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE TAKEN AND IF I ELECTED, I COULD ADDRESS MY COMPLAINT VIA MAIL TO ERNST LEIB, PRESIDENT OF MBUSA BUT HE COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY OTHER POINT OF CONTACT REGARDING RECALL MATTER AND THE CONVERSATION WAS CONCLUDED. *NM

2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-430 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPLETE FAILURE. *NM

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY CAR WENT BLANK MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES AT NIGHT. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. *NM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT WORKING, BLACKED OUT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WHO DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED. THE DEALER EXPRESSED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY VEHICLES UNDER A RECALL BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALLS #06V028000 ABOUT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AFFECTING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.*AK

IN REFERENCE TO CAMPAIGN 06V028000 WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR EXCLUSION OF SOME CARS OF THE SAME YEAR VS OTHERS. JUST BECAUSE THE 7 CARS THAT WERE PART OF THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT FALL IN THE NARROWLY DEFINED VIN RANGE DOES NOT MEAN OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEFECTIVE CLUSTERS ARE THE SAME. I HAVE A 2000 S500 WITH A FAILED CLUSTER. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART FOR THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR THAT OTHER CARS ARE BEING REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT MY CAR IS EXCLUDED BECAUSE ITS VIN RANGE IS STATISTICALLY NOT IN THE SAME NARROW VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT? THIS SEEMS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AND THE PART IS THE SAME AND THERE IS NO BASIS TO EXCLUDE IT. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA TO WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME NOT. IF THE FAILED CLUSTERS WERE FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS THAT WOULD BE ONE THING, BUT TO EXCLUDE CARS DUE TO VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL 7 CARS AS PART OF THE COMPLAINT IS VERY LOP SIDED. I REQUEST YOU TO PLEASE WIDEN THE RECALL. MY VIN ENDING RANGE IS A127167. *NM

MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS FLICKERING AND I WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES WEST SPRINGFIELD I NEEDED A NEW CLUSTER AT $1710. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON NEWER S CLASS CARS LIKE MINE, AND MANY COMPLAINTS OF NON-ACTION ON OLDER (2000-2002) CARS ON THE PART OF MERCEDES. *NM