NHTSA Complaint #10160370 — 1998 MERCEDES BENZ 320

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE AND SWERVED. THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT AN 18 WHEELER. ONCE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS REGAINED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT A SPRING MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP SPECIALIST DETERMINED THAT CORROSION MUST HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY SALT. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED HOW OFTEN DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE OCCUR, THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS NEVER. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT CONCERNED ENTIRELY ABOUT THE COST. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED EXTREME CONCERN REGARDING SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT REMAINS UNCOMFORTABLE AND INSISTS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.