NHTSA Complaint #10872784 — 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC300

DATE: 06/06/2016: RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2016 MERCEDES GLC300 AND WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THE ECO MODE IS THE DEFAULT AND IT HAS TO BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY EACH TIME YOU START THE ENGINE. I CALLED MBUSA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN IT OFF COMPLETELY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WITH SERIOUS RISK OF BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND WILL START IF ONE PRESSES THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO KNOW THAT THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AS YOU START TO PRESS THE GAS AS A LARGE TRUCK IS COMING VERY FAST. ONE JUST HOPES THAT THERE IS NO DELAY OR PAUSE WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS ECO ALWAYS ON (EXCEPT WHEN YOU REMEMBER TO PRESS A BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF) PRESENTS A HIGH RISK HAZARD. MERCEDES SHOULD PROVIDE AN OPTION THAT WILL ALLOW THIS ECO MODE TO BE SET TO ALWAYS OFF.