NHTSA Complaint #11500998 — 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300

I purchased my 2017 C300 class Mercedes-Benz ("MB") in May 2021 from a used car dealership in Mobile, AL. At that time it had 36,000 miles. Less than 2 years later, on or about 12/15/22, as I was driving, the MB suddenly and without warning began to vibrate violently and immediately lost power. The car had @54,000 miles on it. I routinely drive interstate to and from work and had just gotten off of the interstate. I was lucky that I was driving at a low speed when this happened; otherwise, a serious accident could have resulted. I took it to the local MB dealership which told me that the car failed a compression test in the #1 cylinder and that the engine would have to be replaced. Subsequent research on the cause of this total engine failure with low mileage revealed that this engine has a chronic piston defect that damages the #1 cylinder, causing it to lose compression, and that MB has known about the defect for many years, an issued an internal bulletin about it. MB has not alerted the public nor instigated a recall. I was not informed by MB at any time that the C300 class engine had a chronic piston defect that would damage the #1 cylinder which would, in turn, cause the engine to lose power and the vehicle to vibrate and shake, creating a dangerous diving condition under all circumstances, but especially if the car was being driven at speed on a federal interstate highway. Despite demands by me and others, MB refuses to responsibly address the issue. The driving public is, and remains, clearly, in great risk of harm due to this defective engine and associated power train issues. It is patently unreasonable for MB to produce and market such a unsafe, dangerous and defective product that poses an unreasonable risk of harm to its customers and others when being used as it was intended. I understand that the NHTSA has opened an investigation on this defect and wish for my voice to be heard on it. Please contact me [XXX] for further details. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A