Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| PB-91-60-53A | 02/27/2009 | 10028586 | Mercedes vehicle: the srs indicator lamp is illuminated and code b1058 and b2dbo are stored, replace the srs control unit. models 203 and model 209. model years unknown. *pe | 05/11/2009 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 11/14/2012 | 64000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz c320. the contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle but it would not start. the dealer sent someone to charge the battery. the contact stated that the failure recurred three additional times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the driver's seat was draining the battery. the dealer disconnected the fuse for the seat but the contact was unable to adjust the seat when needed. the manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. the failure mileage was 64,000. the vin was unavailable. kmj | |||
| 11/14/2012 | 64000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz c320. the contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle but it would not start. the dealer sent someone to the vehicle and they charged the battery. the contact stated that the failure recurred 3 more times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the driver seat was draining the battery. the dealer disconnected the seat but the contact would not be able to adjust the seat when needed. the manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. the failure mileage was 64,000. the vin was unavailable. ap | |||
| 05/31/2012 | 154000 | ||
| I purchased this car as a graduation present for my daughter. i know it's and older model, and has high milage, so i expected some issues. however, after reading several post across the internet it seems as if the seat module issue is a problem. everytime she lets the car sit for more than a day, it won't start. she has to jump start the car, and this seems to be an issue across the board that benz should have recalled by now. this is a major issue and something needs to be done. this morning the card once again would not start. i have contacted the dealer and benz direct, but they will not recall the car for this issue, they just want you to pay to have it repaired. with so many people having the same problem why has this car not been recalled??? | |||
| 06/25/2010 | 102211 | ||
| Malfunctioning seat control modules drain battery in 2001 c320 mercedes benz. not long after purchasing the car in january 2008 with 51,000+ miles, i paid $175 dollars for a new mbz battery, before asking dealership to disconnect seat control modules. i was not prepared to pay $1200 to replace modules. june 25, 2010, my 2001 c320 stopped during trip to phoeniz, az from california, due to fuel pump going out. my 79 year-old mother and i waited in 100+ degree weather for a tow, which took 3 hours to get to phoenix mbz dealership. oakland service rep never suggested replacing, although the car was serviced during the suggested mileage for replacement. the phoenix dealership initially replaced original fuel filter, and never thought to check if original fuel pump needed replacing. on june 28, 2010, my car stopped again on the return trip to ca, and we were towed back to az, where fuel pump was replaced. the incident cost me almost $2,000.00 more than i planned to spend, while attending my graduation ceremonies in arizona. considering the expense to maintain a mercedes, as well as the cost of the car, you would think the service staff would be more proactive with customer service. i suggest mercedes create a better warning system for equipment failures like the seat control modules and fuel pump. i also suggest mercedes consider lowering their service prices, so the average joanna can pay the maintenance to keep a dependable car. | |||
| 06/14/2010 | 45000 | 1 | |
| I also have a 2001 c320 since new here in south africa and i have the same problem with the electric front seats draining the battery. if it stands for more than 2 days the battery is flat. it's a problem because it also influences the other electrical accessories as the battery has to be charged and in some cases jump started. while this can be done successfully if you are stuck out of home base sometimes you cannot manage the recovery team that cause all types of voltage spikes when trying to get the car on line again. it seems ludicrous that a seat motor that does not work hard at all can cause this problem. really not the excellence in engineering i expect from this marque. here is the vin no [xxx] as i cannot enter it a few steps later as it does not accept it. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 01/26/2010 | 65000 | 1 | |
| Mercedes benz c320 2001 model. power seat module shorts and drains battery. the constant draw off the system could at some point, cause a fire, while driving or over night in garage. 2 twice it was failed within a 1 yr time frame. dealer charge $1000.00 to fix the problem only to have it happen again. dealer would not supply old part for inspection. *tr | |||
| 02/01/2009 | 82000 | 1 | |
| We own a 2001 mercedes c320 and have had several problems with the electrical systems all related to the power seat assemblies draining the battery over night. we have had them replaced by the dealer, first time was under warranty, and now- just about a year or so later, same problem. if we unplug the power seats, the batter does not drain. we know we are not the only ones with this problem, see www.benzworld.org/forums/mb-safety-testimonials/1279095-c320-battery-problem-plz-help.html . i agree that it is ridiculous to spend the type of money on this car and get ripped off by the dealers for diagnostics on a very well known problem and also getting shafted for replacement parts, only to have them fail the same exact way. this is a widespread problem for mercedes, and to not acknowledge it and just keep raping customers without fixing the original problem is wrong. i can only hope this complaint will keep just one person from purchasing a mercedes, of any type, in the future. mercedes needs to step up and deal with this. great for the image to see mb owners getting their overpriced cars jump started by hondas and volkswagens...*tr | |||
| 06/20/2001 | 1079 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz c320. while driving approximately 20 mph on normal road conditions, the engine stalled without warning. the engine warning indicator remained illuminated on the instrument panel until the engine was turned off. the vehicle restarted after several attempts and was taken to the authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician stated that the failure was related to the engine control module (ecm). the vehicle was repaired according to the service warranty. in addition, when the outside temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, the vehicle would shutter. when the vehicle has been parked for a couple of days, the electrical system rapidly drains the battery. on three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for identical failures without resolutions. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 1,079 and current mileage was 85,000. updated 2/5/09 *cn the consumer stated the air mass sensor was repalced. updated 02/10/09. *jb | |||
| 12/20/2008 | 57000 | 1 | |
| The power seat control units drain the battery, as they turn on and off during extended periods of rest. *tr | |||
| 09/19/2001 | 55168 | 2 | 12/20/2000 |
| At 55,178 miles (only 5,000 over warranty) i had to have my faulty electronic ignition system replaced. during this repair at an authorized dealership, the technicians blew out the rear sam (computer controlling directional signals, hazard lights, etc), while the car was in their shop. they attempted to make me believe that the rear sam failure was an underlying failure that they were not able to detect with the first inspection. however, this rear sam failure was never disclosed to me until after they had installed the electronic ignition system, approximately one week later. in other words, the initial inspection was 100% about the faulty electronic ignition system. ironically, the ignition did turn on during the initial inspection and i was there to observe the service manager scroll through the display, find my mileage, etc. there was no indication of rear sam failure on 9/19/06, ie, visit workshop on display. no matter what the circumstances, having electronic issues of such a magnitude (both ignition and rear sam) on a car that had only 55,000 miles on it, indicates that mercedes benz has tremendous electronics problems. furthermore, while i was willing to pay for the electronic ignition problem that i came to the dealership to fix, i expected the dealership to take care of the rear sam failure they caused. they would not offer to take care of this problem. i have since learned that they could have availed themselves of m-b's good will replacement parts program for the part and they would have been out very little time and money. the dealership subsequently said they did offer to take care of the problem, which is a lie! i have been in contact with both the california department of consumer affairs and with my credit card customer service department to seek redress for the dealerships handling of this matter. the ca department of consumer affairs recommended that i file a complaint with the nhts. *nm | |||
| 08/14/2006 | 57518 | 1 | 09/01/2001 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the left light bulb warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealership and the wiring harness, rear exterior light bulb, and adapter cable for the tail lamps were replaced. the park light error light illuminated and the dealership replaced the rear light bulbs. another, unknown, light illuminated on the dash and the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who determined the sam module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined the same solution. updated 10/04/06. *jb | |||
| 10/18/2001 | 33 | 03/05/2001 | |
| Beginning on 10/18/01 to present, this vehicle has been taken into the dealership 34 different times for the following reasons: (1) remote inop - 10/18/01; (2) remote inop - 11/14/01; (3) replaced remote - 12/3/01; (4) remote inop - 12/11/01; (5) replaced front pads & sensors - 12/26/02; (6) replaced right front door window motor - 4/24/03; (7) replaced remotes - 5/15/03; (8) replaced crankshaft sensor & connector module - 12/2/03; (9) replaced faulty rear sam control module - 12/2/03; (10) replaced a/c pressure switch - 12/2/03; (11) replaced air mass meter sensor - 12/11/03; (12) replaced right door window regulator - 1/5/04; (13) replaced rear shade roller blind - 1/5/04; (14) replaced side bag connector all doors - 1/9/04; (15) replaced right front door window seal - 2/27/04; (16) replaced oil level sensor & resealed oil pan - 4/28/04; (17) replaced sway bar bushing and caster arms - 4/28/04; (18) resealed elec plug for trans - 4/28/04; (19) replaced right rear door linkage and knob - 7/22/04; (20) replaced a/c blower & fan speed regulator - 8/23/04; (21) replaced right rear door window regulator - 8/23/04; (22) replaced mounting clips & bearings driver seat - 8/23/04; (23) replaced right rear door window motor - 2/7/05; (24) low oil light on, changed oil & filter - 2/7/05; (25) replaced oil sending unit - 3/17/05; (26) replaced right front seat control module - 5/20/05; (27) replaced alternator and regulator - 5/20/05; (28) replaced driver side seat clamps & pins - 5/20/05; (29) replaced brake pads, shoes, rotors and disc - 5/20/05; (30) replaced leaking trans plug and leaking pan gasket - 5/20/05; (31) fuel gauge inop - 6/27/05. at present remote will not open trunk & malfunction (elect stab prog esp) is on. i have asked that vehicle be replaced with a reliable vehicle of same type and mileage, hq mercedes llc has refused on 2 occasions. i have contact with the dept of consumer affairs.*jb | |||
| 09/01/2004 | 50500 | 7 | 05/28/2004 |
| Dt: consumer went to start the vehicle and discovered that electrical components such as navigation, radio/cd, telephone, voice command, gas gauges, and power windows were not working. since then the brake lights and turn signals were replaced twice, and will be replaced the third time in less than a year. took vehicle to a dealer and contacted mercedes ,who said they could replace navigation and the radio/cd which swere connected by same computer for $3,000. dealer did not know why this happened, but there was an electrical short. have not been replaced or repaired.*ak | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 29457 | 2 | 08/13/2002 |
| Gas fumes so over powering that you had to drive with the windows down after you filled up the car with gasoline. gas tank had a leak and all the dash was replaced at dealer. however there are shortages in the electrical system that cause the visor lamps to not work and the automatic lights and relays in the wipers do not operate properly. when the heat is on the gas fumes and monoxide is strong again . i thought the problem was rectified when they fixed it but it still tends to act up. *nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 03/11/2004 | 7 | 03/11/2001 | |
| This has been ongoing for 3 years. i have a mercedes benz c320. i have had intermittent air conditioner and heater. my electronic keys have been intermitant. there is a squeaking sound from the suspension. i get malfunction messages when there is no malfunction. my rear-lights have had to be replaced regularly. *la | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 10/30/2001 | 3 | 01/01/2001 | |
| The electronic key presents a safety hazard since it ques in all setting for the driver. while driving the mirrors would change position. the key can stop talking to the car and not allow the car to be started. sometimes when starting the panel and other inside lights failed to come on, but the car was driveable. the oil level check system would say the oil level is to high, and add miles to the next service point. the big confidence breaker is will this key stop talking entirely to the car while driving? this would surley result in a non-steerable event. i could not get mercedes to answer such inquiry, or reassure me that it could not happen. i turned the car back into the dealer and now have learned it was sold. i want to warn the new owner of these problems, since they were not fixed for me, and i have little confidence they can be.*ak | |||