NHTSA Complaint #10298324 — 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 320 WAGON WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED IN MARCH 2003. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 40 MPH, THE CONTACT THOUGHT HE HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING AND THERE WAS A VIOLENT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN HE COULD HEARD A GRINDING AND THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE THEN NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS ACTUALLY INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING PERCH FAILED CAUSING THE FRONT END PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 130,000. UPDATED 01/19/10 *BF THE AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR AND OUTER TIE ROD WERE REPLACED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND WERE REPLACED. THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW RINGS AND A VALVE SEAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAULT WITH THE CLUTCHES. THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE LEFT WINDOW REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 01/20/10.*JB