NHTSA Complaint #11092850 — 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM BEACH (4000 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, 561-689-6363) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND DARK SMOKE GUSHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FLAMES APPROXIMATELY SEVEN FEET HIGH POURED OUT FROM THE HOOD AND ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,187.