NHTSA Complaint #10512336 — 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE WASHINGTON DC BELTWAY IN THE FAST LANE, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN LEAVING US STRANDED IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS WAS A VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION. FORTUNATELY, POLICE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED AND CALLED A TOWING SERVICE AND GOT US OUT OF HARM'S WAY. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS RESULTS IN THE COMPUTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION CREATING AN OBVIOUSLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I REPORTED THIS TO MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT THEY'RE REACTION WAS THAT THIS OCCURS INFREQUENTLY, BUT THEY WERE AWARE THAT IT DOES HAPPEN. SO I AM NOTIFYING YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION. *TR