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Mercedes-Benz • c230 • c240 • c320 • CL500 • CLK320 • CLK55 • G55 AMG • ML320 • S55 • SLK230 • Odds 'n ends --- News • Mercedes Hopes to Buff Its Image

For many, the Mercedes-Benz represents the height of automotive engineering, or something. For many others, it's a status symbol. The latter it most certainly is. The former some of our readers aren't so sure about.

One reason for the recent spate of complaints may have to do with the growing reliance on electronics in today's cars and porked-up SUVs. European cars have always been known for, shall we say, delicate electrical systems. Adding gadgets of the complexity now common in the Benz is a recipe for big trouble -- and very big repair bills.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints ...

mehrdad of tehran, AL May 11, 2009

I have bought a mercedes benz from the your agent in Iran SETAREH IRAN co (TOP KHODRO)in march 2008 model E200 K

Your agent sold the car with the Special guarantee( golden card) the problem was and is from begining Run flat tire indicator always is on till now and after several inspection by yr agent service people still the car has this problem plus the front and rear wheels are not balanced but Your agent could not solve the problem due to lack of instrument and due to the above reason the REAR TIRES are completly damaged and when the car passes the curve surface the car will diversify to the left or right but your agent after several monthsis telling me that this matter and problem is not covered by the guarantee!!!!! I have never driven with confidence from the first day by this car and with this history i will never buy another Mercedec again

Lynn of Charlestown, RI April 17, 2009

Lynn of Charlestown RI (04/17/09)
On April 8th 2007 it was Easter Sunday. I was driving down a main st. Started to feel a little light headed passed out. Woke up covered in blood, cracked windshield telephone pole completely out of the ground cracked in half...car totaled woke up to a woman yelling at me not to get out of the car because of the live wires. Police officer came over to me. Notice the airbags did not go off. But since the airbags did not go off, and yes I had my seat belt on. I had got a skull fracture..concussion, 12 stitches to the head still an awful scar there terrible job on the stitches. Bruising black eyes you name it. Lost time at work then the PTSD came on.

Found out this car had alot of electrical problems I did not know about and that the SRS system had been worked on prior to me buying it. Why I don't know. My car was totaled...hit dead on and the officer o the scene, who does reconstruction of acccidents said that airbag should have gone off. I want to know of other situations since this has happened I have heard of alot of other similar issues, because I work with the public, and they have seen everything i have gone through, and have told me of other issues with Mercedes. I thought I was buying a strong reliable car.

Dr. after Dr. trying to find help and relief fianlly was sent to a Dr. who sent me to Neuropsycologist who did Brain testing found out I had mild Brain injury from this accident. Still 2 years later have problems with memory, conprehension and crying. It has been a nightmare! I am seeking counsel..just finding out there are many cases with problems with the airbag systems and wonder why they are not checked better, to insure proper deployement. It is a real shame people have to go throught this when they think they are buying a safe vehicle

Mary of Montgomery, AL April 15, 2009

Mary of Montgomery AL (04/15/09)
Not even 1,000 miles on this new Mercedes CLK-550 and a hole developed at the top of tire. The ride is terrible! These tires have a lumpy feel to the ride that only disappears after the tire warms up. Very POOR performance!

I found the problem before a blowout could occur. Pretty scary!

Rhonda of Belvedere, CA April 7, 2009

Rhonda of Belvedere CA (04/07/09)
When arriving at the local Mercedes dealership last week I was recognized by first name. I'd been in there alot since purchasing a SL55 in 2004. The folks there are nice and it's not their fault that they are the middleman motivitated to make money for the dealers service department on a product that is no longer warrants the iconic Mercedes name. During the conversation my advisor advised me that I really should have purchased an extended warranty. I sat there baffled that the car I purchased for a legacy of reliability was no more reliable than a US car maker and therefore I should feel guilty that the car keeps breaking down and I didn't buy an extended warranty.

Quite frankly, it's reliability is the worst I've ever experienced in 35 years of driving. With a new ad campaign coming out highlighting how Mercedes won the world's first auto race in 1894 and the company is still in a race with itself for quality, consumers are advised that the reliability of this car is so poor that an extended warranty is a must. I was told that the problem (a defective shift module) is an unusual problem in this car. That is a lie. I've spoken to five other mercedes owners in the past week just in my local neighborhood...they all have had to have the shift module replaced for a supposed liquid must have seeped into it accident which none of us can recall.

There are more common problems with this car, yet instead of recalling the non-functioning parts and technology that has been replaced in newer models, the pioneers of the early releases are treated like a mere guinea pig who is paying parts and labor after parts and labor for bringing Mercedes up the learning curve of their defective manufacturing and technology. A great car company would pay for their own mistakes by recalling the defectively engineered parts, thanking their customers for their patience with their learning curve mistakes, and doing the right thing. I'm not alone when voicing that I will never rely on Mercedes reliability and technology again.

Everytime it's simply another 1,000 to fix.

Isaac of Fenton, MO April 4, 2009

Isaac of Fenton MO (04/04/09)
2003 Mercedes ML350, The driver side seat warnmer burn. It burn a small spot on the seat.

Mohan of San Jose, CA April 2, 2009

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