2000 Mercedes Benz S500

Please help me My 2000 s500L Mercedes’ Benz dashboard have been blinking for 4 months now it has finally completely went out I am complaining on my behalf in my daughter in wife please NHTSA we cannot see anything on our car dashboard our vehicle have been inspected at two independent service dealer theses symptoms appear to have been happening 1 year after purchasing from dealer please NHSTA we need a recall on our dashboard cluster. I cannot attend work until the cluster gets fix it’s so dangerous driving with a broken cause this recall will be a blessing to our family.

LAST NIGHT WE HAD TROPICAL STORM ETA IN FLORIDA. WE HAD ABOUT 10 INCHES OF RAIN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS BETWEEN 70F AND 80F. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON HIGH GROUND BUT IN THE RAIN. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FLOODED WITH WATER UNDER THE CARPET. I HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK OR THE SOURCE OF THE SHORT YET BUT THE CAR IS IN MY SHOP. I DRILLED HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO DRAIN THE WATER FOR NOW. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY. THE ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING, THE WIPERS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF ON THERE OWN, THE CAR STAYED RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITH THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, THE SOS LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE SPEAKERS WERE POPPING, THE THROTTLE CONTROLS WERE ACTING ODD AND NOT CORRESPONDING WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL, THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND OR STAY ON LONGER THAN NORMAL, THE TRANSMISSION WAS GETTING STUCK IN GEARS, THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS ACTING WEIRD, I PRESSED THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THE TAIL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND I HAD A FULL TANK, THE SPEED AND RPM WERE WORKING NORMAL, OUTSIDE TEMP WAS GOING ON AND OFF AS WELL AS THE CLOCK, THE AC BLOWER SPEED WAS CHANGING AND TURNING OFF, THE WINDOWS WOULD WORK THEN NOT WORK, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, BASICALLY THE CAR WOULD START AND RUN BUT ALMOST EVERY SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS THE SECOND MERCEDES I HAVE OWNED TH

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ONLY WORKS WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT.

I WAS GETTING STUFF FROM THE TRUNK. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE CAR IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE SORCE OF THE FIRE IT WAA THE BLOWER RESISTOR. THE WIRING TO THE BLOWER WAS BURNT AT THE CONNECTOR. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE EVAPORATOR BOX WAS DAMAGED.

I JUST BOUGHT MY MERCEDES S500 TWO WEEKS AGO. IT ONLY HAD ONE OWNER, 98,000 MILES AND GOOD CAR FAX. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE COMPLETELY DARK AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING!! I CANT TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE NOR HOW FAST I AM DRIVING! I RESEARCH TODAY AND FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THAT IS NOW EXPIRED. HOW AND WHY DOES A RECALL EXPIRE??!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WONT BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAVE CHILDREN TO TRANSPORT AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A ACCIDENT OR RECEIVE A TICKET FOR DRIVING TOO FAST! ITS SO UNFAIR THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL. HOW IS THIS FAIR TO A BUYER WHO WOULD HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS!!! SO I GUESS IF ME AND MY CHILDREN GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND DIED, MERCEDES WOULD SAY "OH WELL, THE RECALL EXPIRED". BULLSHIT!!! I AM SO ANGRY. AND THEY DON'T CARE!!!!

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 ORGINAL 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 MANUFATURERS 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 YA060424

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S500L. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY KNOCKED WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE ABC ACTIVE BODY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE INDICATING TO "STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AGAIN OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED HE SOLD THE VEHICLE AS HE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT ANYMORE MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR

ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT SLOWLY DIM, FLICKED, AND 95% LIGHTS WERE SHUT OFF INCLUDED SPEEDOMETER, THE REST WERE VERY DIM HARDLY SEE ANYTHING. INSIDE MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DARK AT THAT POINT, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IMMEDIATELY, I HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THAT WAS VERY SCARY!! DUE TO THIS KIND OF DEFECTIVE, THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN DRIVING CONDITION AT NIGHT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 90K MILE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND I HAD FOUND FEW FORUMS DISCUSSED ABOUT THE SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH S500. BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL FOR MY CAR WHICH RELATED TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN NHTSA. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WAS ALMOST CAUSED MYSELF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. WOULD YOU PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFETY MATTER. GREATLY APPRECIATED.

MY CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND NOW THE FRONT END IS DAM NEAR ON THE GROUND

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GAUGES FAILED TO INDICATE ANY READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05062 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

ALL FOUR DOORS AND TRUNK OF CAR WILL NOT LOCK OR ENGAGE USING THE CAR KEY REMOTELY BUT THE LIGHTS WILL BLINK WHEN KEY IS DEPRESSED. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH DOWN ON ALL FOUR LOCKS TO LOCK THE CAR. ALSO, I HAVE TO MANUALLY USE/INSERT THE CAR KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. FRONT PASSENGER CAR SEAT WILL NOT MOVE OR RECLINE WHEN DOOR PANEL BUTTONS ARE PUSHED. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND NO FAULT CAN BE FOUND. SUN VISOR STAYS DOWN AND CAN NOT STAY UP. I BELIEVE THESE ARE ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FRONT SIDE OF SUSPENSION WHEN DOWN TO TIRES CAN'T DRIVE NOR WILL IT PUMP UP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

I WAS HAVING AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM AND I LOOKED IT UP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS AND I WROTE DOWN THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER (06V028000) AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT MY VIN WAS IN THE RECALL BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THIS WAS JULY 2014. I ALSO CALLED MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS RECALL FIXED? IN ADDITION TO THIS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY VIN EXPIRED OR DO I HAVE TIME TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

THE BACK LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAVE FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. *TR

THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE 4 DOORS ARE RUSTING OUT. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES ON THE BODY THAT THE PAINT IS BUBBLING AND STARTING TO RUST ALSO. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT EVERY YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD IT. I BOUGHT IT IN 2000 AND HAVE HAD IT EVER SINCE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MERCEDES PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER HAD THE PAINT FAIL. *TR

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE... AS LIKE THE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE VERY SAME DEVICE-FAILURE; I'VE COME TO NOW KNOW THAT THIS' A WIDELY KNOWN MBUSA VEHICLE RECALL ISSUE THAT WAS QUICKLY & EXTREMELY DISCRIMINATORY & NON-EXHAUSTIVE RECALL (HALF)EFFORT... AT BEST! I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO ATTEMPT CONTACTING THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) AND INQUIRED AS TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL &/OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE NOTIFIED BY MBUSA OF THIS RECALL... ALL OF WHICH THE ANSWER(S) WERE NO. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND HAS BEEN KEPT PRISTINE... TO DATE! AS LIKE THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS; MBUSA'S WELL AWARE OF THIS YET THE RECALL HAS BEEN CLOSED KNOWING THAT THERE ARE POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THESE FAULTY DEVICES AND KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT EXHAUSTIVELY ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS; HENCE KNOWING THAT THERE'S MILLIONS TO BE MADE AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ONCE WE START ROLLING IN AFTER THE RECALL CLOSURE DATE ($$$$)!!! NEVER WAS THERE ADEQUATE, EXHAUSTIVE NOR EXTENSIVE EFFORTS PUT FORTH WITH THIS RECALL; AS WELL AS A SMALL WINDOW TO TOTALLY & EFFECTIVELY RECALL THE VAST NUMBER OF VEHICLES ASSOCIATED WITH IT... PLEASE NOTE THE NUMEROUS & IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS YOU'VE RECEIVED REGARDING THIS ISSUE! AT LEAST FORCE/MANDATE MBUSA TO COVER PARTS/DEVICE TO THIS RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR... OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO COVER THIS WELL DOCUMENTED RECALL! I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL MAJOR RECALLS; THIS' A FIRST OF SUC

WHILE RETURNING FROM TAKING MY HUSBAND TO HAVE A SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON I-75. I NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT INSTANTLY WENT BLACK. I CAME CLOSE TO BEING INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANY IMPORTANT INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND GASOLINE LEVEL ON VEHICLE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO IS MERCEDES CERTIFIED AND HE INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT. I ASKED IF HE COULD REPAIR THE CLUSTER. HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP CAUSE OF THE RISK OF DRIVING. I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN MACON, GA AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,312.00 FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL I WAS TOLD THAT IT EXPIRED FOUR YEARS AGO. I TOOK IT UPON MY SELF TO LOOK INTO THE RECALL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RECALL CAME OUT IN NOVEMBER 2005 AND THEN EXPIRED FEBRUARY 2006. WHICH IN OTHER WORDS WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE OWNERS. IF THE RECALL WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN WHY WAS THERE A EXPIRATION DATE? IT SHOULDN'T MATTER THE TIME FRAME WHEN THE OWNER COMES IN TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE POINT IS THAT YOU ISSUED A RECALL AND FOR THE INTEGRITY AND UTMOST SAFETY OF YOUR CONSUMER AND THEIR FAMILY WHICH CONSIST OF SMALL CHILDREN. WE CHOSE YOUR VEHICLE FOR THAT REASON" SAFETY". WHEN I WANTED TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE FOR "MY FAMILY" I CHOSE MERCEDES BENZ. BUT NOW YOU TELL ME YOU HAVE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE POINT IS THAT YOU NEW OF THE REC

WAS DRIVING AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK. *TR

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, ALWAYS GARAGED, W/ ONLY 45,000 MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS PRICEY $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, BRAKE PROBLEMS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. MY CAR WAS IN THE EARLY DATES OF MANUFACTURE FOR THE 2000 S500. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM IMPLORING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR

PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062. MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, ALWAYS GARAGED, W/ ONLY 45,000 MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS PRICEY $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, BRAKE PROBLEMS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. MY CAR WAS IN THE EARLY DATES OF MANUFACTURE FOR THE 2000 S500. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM IMPLORING

PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062 AS MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AT 45K MILES ON THE CAR AND YOU AND MBUSA DECIDED TO DISCRIMINATE WHICH CARS WERE INCLUDED IN THE MAJOR RECALL - WHY NOT ALL VEHICLES. MY CAR IS IN PRISTINE SHAPE, ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED, NOT TO MENTION A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE MANY PHOTOS IF YOU NEED ME TO EMAIL THEM TO YOU. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND THE DEALER INSISTS ON $1500 TO REPAIR. THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY NOT TO MENTION LIFE THREATENING AND DANGEROUS. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013 AT AROUND 44K. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, 44K (NOW 45K) MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED SO THIS WAS QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON MY BEAUTIFUL $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER SEEMS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM REQUESTING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE

MY 2000 S500 IS RUSTING UNCONTROLLABLY AROUND THE BOTTOM OF ALL DOORS AND TRUNK LID AND FENDERS. I THOUGHT BUYING A $90,000 VEHICLE WOULD EVADE THESE ISSUES. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND. THEY SUGGEST SPENDING 5K+ ON A NEW PAINT-JOB! THEY ONLY TELL ME THAT THEY SERVICED THE RECALL ON THE RUBBER STRIPPING ON THE BOTTOM OF ALL DOORS. THIS IS EMBARRASSING AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MB IS DOING BUSINESS IN THIS FASHION. I'VE READ SEVERAL THREADS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ALL AROUND THE WORLD. CANADA FIXES THESE RUST PROBLEMS FOR FREE WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED. MBUSA ON THE OTHER HAND WILL NOT RESPONSIBLY FIX THE ERROR. THIS IS TOTALLY ABSURD AND FOR A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ALL ABOUT QUALITY IT SHOWS THEIR TRUE COLORS. *TR

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT ON A FAMILY TRIP ON 3/10/13. I CHANGED THE 5A FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE TRUNK AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, JUST TO HAVE IT BLOW OUT AGAIN. THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN, THE PARKTRONICS WILL NOT FUNCTION, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY OUT. I HAVE READ ON THE BENZWORLD.ORG SITE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MBUSA THOUGH ONLY A SELECT NUMBER OF VIN'S ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. OF COURSE, MY VIN LOOKS TO NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. WE WOULD LIKE OUR VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. 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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY CURRENT SPEED ALONG WITH OTHER STATUSES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. *TR

SITUATION FIRST STARTED OVER THE SUMMER TIME WHEN I WAS DRIVING FROM BELLINGHAM TO SEATTLE FOR WORK AND I GOT INTO THE CAR, BUT THE A/C DIDN'T EVEN WORK. I HAD TO HAVE THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. I TRIED EVERYTHING FROM ECONOMY MODE, AUTOMATIC, REGULAR AIR, ETC. ONCE I HIT 10 MILES AWAY FROM MY DESTINATION, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE AIR CAME BACK ON. IT WORKED THE REST OF THE DAY AND THE NEXT DAY. THEN 2 DAYS LATER AND IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, BUT CAME BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER OR LATER THAT DAY. THIS SAME PROBLEM KEPT GOING ON UNTIL ABOUT LATE OCTOBER 2012. IN LATE OCTOBER, THE WHOLE SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY (DEFROSTER, A/C, AND HEATER). NO AIR CAME OUT WHATSOEVER AND WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD MY DAD DO SOME WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SOME WATER CAME DRAINED OUT AND LET IT DRY FOR A WHILE, THEN IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT THEN A WEEK AFTER THAT, IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. WE TRIED FIXING IT AND STILL NOTHING IS WORKING. THEN ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2013, I CAME BACK FROM TOKYO AND GOT INTO MY CAR AT THE AIRPORT, AND THE NOTHING HAD CHANGED. LATER THAT NIGHT, I GOT INTO MY CAR, AND NOTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WAS WORKING. NO LIGHTS, NO SPEEDOMETER, NO TEMPERATURE, NO TIME, NO RPM INDICATOR. NOTHING. PROBLEM STILL IS HAPPENING. THEN THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL AUTOMATICALLY. NO KEYLESS WAY AND NO DOOR LATCH. I HAD TO USE MY PHYSICAL METAL KEY TO GET IT OPEN, BUT THEN I DID THAT AND ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPENED UP TOO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

DRIVER SIDE BOTTOM CARRIAGE AND UP/PAINT IS PEELING AND RUSTING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500 (N/A). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

REQUEST TO RE-OPEN "PE 05-062" INVESTIGATION & ORDER AN EXPANSION OF THE RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON ALL MODELS AFFECTED. ON OR ABOUT 8/17/2010, I FIRST NOTICED THE FLICKERING OF THE CLUSTER PANEL (CP) , WHICH WOULD COME AND OFF; I THEN CONTACTED A MB DEALER IN MY AREA AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM/DEFECT AND THE DEALER IN TURN CONTACTED MB TO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CP. THE DEALER WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL BUT RATHER, SUBJECT TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY; I THEN CONTACTED MB AND DEMANDED PROOF AS TO THE RATIONALE FOR RECALLING VERY FEW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND DEMANDED DOCUMENTATION AS REGARDS THE MANUFACTURERS OF THIS PRODUCT(CP). THE COUNSEL FOR MB, MR. ZEPF RESPONDED ON 9/24/2010 WITH A CONVOLUTED EXPLANATION AND AT THE SAME REFUSING TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. ON 12/04/2011, I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR LIGHTS(BRAKE, ETC) WERE NOT COMING ON, I HAVE SINCE STOPPED USING MY VEHICLE. MB HAS INTENTIONALLY LIMITED THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED AND DESPITE THE INABILITY OF MB TO EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP OF THREE(3) ODI COMPLAINTS THAT WERE PRODUCED BEFORE THE DATES OF PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE THREE FAILURE MODES IDENTIFIED BY MB.[A. MOTAMEMEDAMIN 2/8/06] ALSO, PLEASE VISIT BENZWORLD.ORG - MB DISCUSSION FORUM FOR ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. MB HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REPORTING REQUIREMENT OF TITLE 49 C.F.R. 573.6(C)(2) "IDENTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLES O

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ 500S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 500S. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES FORCEFULLY. SUDDENLY, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND GAUGES WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE RECALL MANUFACTURER REPORT DATE WAS FEBRUARY 1, 2006. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED SEPTEMBER OF 2009, AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW OF THE EARLY EXPIRATION OF THE SAFETY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 500S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 60-65, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO DRIVE. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED WHICH RESULTED TO TEN PERCENT BRAKING POWER AND A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION WITH CAUTION AND HE WAS FORCED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT WAS ALSO REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE ENGINE PULSATED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERN PERTAINING TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AROUND 65 MPH WHEN EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT. WE'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED MECHANICALLY BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SHOP YET. BUT WHATEVER IT WAS, IT WAS DEFINITELY CATASTROPHIC. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AT ALL. WE WERE ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AFTER THE CAR BROKE. BUT FOR SOME REASON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THE INSTANT THAT THE CAR BROKE DOWN! THE AIRBAGS IN TURN INJURED THE PASSENGERS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE SEATBELTS ALSO TIGHTENED AND INJURED A 12 YEAR OLD MALE PASSENGER SITTING ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT. *TR

BACKGROUND ILLUMINATION OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED (2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500, MODEL # 220.175, VIN# [XXX]). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE INSTRUMENTS PANEL LIGHTING FLASHES AND GOES DARK AND YOU CANNOT READ THE DIALS ON THE DASH BOARD. THERE IS A BULLETIN ISSUED BY YOU RECALL 06V028000 BUT MERCEDES BENZ HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM CLAIMING THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN THEIR RECALL WHATEVER THAT MEANS. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 S500 MERCEDES. THE PROBLEM IS THE CLUSTER PANEL IT WENT OUT I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT ONLY THE ONES ON THE LIST FOR THE RECALL ARE GETTING DONE. I WORK GRAVEYARD SO I DRIVE AT NIGHT. I CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. THE RECALL IS FOR 2000 S500? IF MY MERCEDES IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLICKERING OFF AND ON ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THEN WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2009 WHILE RETURNING FROM A SUPER BOWL PARTY. I HAD TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 90 MILES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM MY INDICATION AND SAFETY SYSTEM ON A $80,000 VEHICLE. AFTER DAYS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AND COUNTLESS HOURS OF SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I DECIDED TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TO RESET TO CARS COMPUTER. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO DO APPROX TWICE A YEAR WHEN MY RADIO, CD, NAVIGATION AND PHONE GOES OUT. THAT DID THE TRICK FOR NOW. I CALLED MY LOCAL MB DEALER IN GERMANTOWN, MD AFTER READING SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN SO THAT THEY COULD HOOK IT UP TO A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AT $195.00 PER HOUR. AFTER READING THE COMMENTS HERE AND KNOWING THAT MB HAS THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HAS FIXED APPROX 7 CARS. I OWN 2 MB A 98 C-CLASS AND A 2000 S-500 AND LOVE BOTH OF MY CARS BUT I WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLE. I WILL STICK HONDA OR ACURA FROM NOW OWN. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO MB FOR SERVICE, I HAVE BEEN SCREWED OVER. NOW HAVE A VIBRATION WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTING THROUGH LOWER GEARS. MB SAYS IT IS A BEARING IN MY DRIVE SHAFT AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT MY LOCAL MECHANIC AT ANOTHER SERVICE STATION SAYS IT'S A BEARING IN MY DRIVE SHAFT THAT CONNECTS TO MY TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARR

THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS FAILED AND DROP THE FRONT BENDER ALMOST TOUCHING THE TIRE WHICH DISABLE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN MY 2 YEARS. LAST TIME THE FENDER HAD TOUCHED THE TIRE. *TR

MY CAR SUSPENSION DROPPED SUDDELNY WHILE DRIVING, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROLL THE CAR GOT A MESSAGE ON MY DASH BOARD THAT THE ARMATIC SYSTEM FAILED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 S500 THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD THE AIRMATIC SENSOR REPLACE 6 MONTHS AGO. THEN A AIR KIT WAS INSTALLED A MONTH LATER, AND NOW THE COMPRESSOR HAS BURNT OUT. RESULTING IN THE CAR COMPLETELY COLLAPSING. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE AND WAS TOWED TO THE MB DEALER. THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACE, BUT THE COMPRESSOR RUNS AFTER CAR IS OFF AND IS VERY LOUD. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE ON 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 500 S DEFECTIVE CAUSING GAUGE LIGHTS TO DIM AND GO OFF - VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT SPEEDOMETER OR GAUGES ILLUMINATED!! WHEN DRIVING, LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY DIM AND GO OFF. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND WAS GIVEN A COPY OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 06V028000 BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 09/20/06. *JB

I OWN A YEAR 2000 MERCEDES S. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS DEVELOPED INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (NUMBER: 06V028000). THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE A REPLACEMENT UNDER THE RECALL AND MERCEDES USA DENIES THAT THERE IS A RECALL. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THANK YOU. *JB

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500 IS RUSTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE PAINT. THERE ARE SEVERAL PLACES WHERE THE CAR IS RUSTING. MERCEDES, AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL, PRETENDS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL, THEY OPENLY ADMIT TO THIS PROBLEM AND TELL ME THAT I AM OUT OF LUCK. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUGHT THEIR 100,000 FLAGSHIP LUXURY SEDAN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BACKLIGHTING THE SPEEDOMETER BURNED OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL #06V028000 CONCERNING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PART WAS ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS REPLACED AT COST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK UPDATED 7/21/2006 - *NM

THE MERCEDES S-CLASS HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND EVEN WHEN RECALLS ARE MADE, MERCEDES BENZ NORTH AMERICA UNDERSTATES THE NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED TO MINIMIZE THEIR LOSS DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING. MY MERCEDES DEALER (CROWN MERCEDES IN DUBLIN, OHIO - TEL 614-799-4666) HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WHICH DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, NOR DO THE GAUGES WORK, EVEN THOUGH A RECALL WAS MANDATED AS PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V028000. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF HONORING THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM UNLESS CASH PAYMENT IS MADE IN THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE COST. MY CLUSTER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE GAUGES ARE ALL STUCK SO THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I AM GOING AT, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE LEFT, I DON'T KNOW THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR, OR ANYTHING ELSE BECAUSE OF A KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFECT OF MERCEDES BENZ INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING SERVICE. I AM FORCED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK UN-REPAIRED ALTHOUGH THEY REQUIRED A $210.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE, AND I AM VERY WORRIED THAT I MAY RUN INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH IT DUE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE AND LACK OF CONCERN WITH THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP. YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT CELL (614) 446-6180. YOUR HELP IS VERY IMPORTANT AND CONCERNS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE WITHOUT SEEING MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT SPEED I AM GOING AT, WITHOUT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT, WITHOUT KNOWING ANY OF THOSE THINGS. I AM IN DANGER AND EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMIT THAT IT

MERCEDES-BENZ UNDER REPORTING HAS BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I COMPLAINED TO THEM ABOUT MY AC BLOWER MOTOR, WHICH TURNS ON ONLY SPORADICALLY, ON AVERAGE ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME. I WENT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD REFUSED TO FIX IT SAYING THAT MINE WAS NOT ONE OF THE CARS MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE ACCEPTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V141000. HOWEVER, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT AND THAT IT IS INDEED A DEFECT OF THE ENGINEERING AND THAT MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT AS IT WAS EXACTLY THE EFFECT OF THE PROBLEM THEY UNDERREPORTED FROM THE RECALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR NHTSA TO PROVIDE SPECIAL TREATMENT TO MERCEDES BENZ - TO THIS DAY, I AM DRIVING IN THE HEAT A SPORADICALLY WORKING BLOWER MOTOR THAT I HAVE TO SUFFER WITH BECAUSE OF MERCEDES FLAW. IF A PURELY AMERICAN COMPANY LIKE FORD HAD DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, NHSTA WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED SUCH SERIOUS MANUFACTURER VIOLATIONS, BUT WHY THE LENIENT TREATMENT FOR MERCEDES-BENZ? RIGHT NOW, IN ADDITION TO THE FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, I AM SUFFERING WITH A DEFECTIVE AND NON-WORKING AND NON-ILLUMINATING INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ALSO WHICH WAS RIGHTLY ADDRESSED BY NHTSA IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 BUT BECAUSE MERCEDES BENZ MISREPORTS THE NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO FIX MANY OF THEIR DEFECTS, I AM STUCK IN SERIOUS DANGER. PLEASE HELP! *JB

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB