NHTSA Complaint #10558970 — 1998 MERCEDES BENZ C280

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, THE SPRING PERCH SUPPORTING THE LEFT, FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. INSTANTLY, THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION TOTALLY COLLAPSED LEAVING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WITHOUT ANY SUSPENSION OR WHEEL CLEARANCE INSIDE THE FENDER. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER TO NEARLY DRAG ON THE PAVEMENT. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN MERCEDES AUTOMOBILES THAT USE THIS SAME OR SIMILAR SPRING PERCH. THIS TYPE OF PART IS ONE THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL UNLESS DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVER IN THIS CASE KEPT HER CALM AND SAFELY GUIDED THE VEHICLE OFF THE INTERSTATE. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, I HAD MY 1997 MERCEDES E420 INSPECTED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE SPRING PERCHES ON THAT CAR WAS ABOUT TO COLLAPSE AS WELL. ALL MERCEDES USING A SIMILAR SPRING PERCH SHOULD BE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR