2003 MERCEDES BENZ C320 Electrical System Problems

The secondary instrument fuse block located on the driver's side of the dashboard erupted in flame while the vehicle was being driven, endangering its occupant, causing significant damage to its interior, and resulting in a local law enforcement "traffic hazard" determination.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the sunroof had failed to open, and the sunshade cover failed to close, causing the sunrays to penetrate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with front driver's side air bag failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

MERCEDES BENZ POSSIBLE RECALL / EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR FUEL SYSTEM... INVOLVING A C CLASS 2003 WITH SAME ENGINE AS THE E CLASS. THE CAR FUEL SYSTEM IS TOTALLY MESSED UP, WILL ONLY FILL A HALF TANK AND RUNS OUT OF GAS BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR WILL NOT FILL. ONLY ONE TANK TAKING AND SENDING FUEL APPARENTLY. DASH IS MESSED UP, LIGHTS OUT, FUEL SYSTEM TOTALLY MESSED UP. I ALMOST WENT OFF A CLIFF IN THE CAR, SLID BACKWARDS ON A HILLSIDE WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF FUEL UNEXPECTEDLY. NO GAS, NO POWER, MY CAR WENT BACKWARDS, BRAKES NOT WORKING, I WENT INTO A DITCH AND ALMOST INTO A STEEP HILLSIDE, VERY SCARY. A CAR BRANCH SAVED MY DEMISE, HOLDING THE TOP OF THE CAR AND KEPT ME FROM GOING DOWN INTO A RAVENE. DENT ON THE BACK ROOF IS STILL THERE. MERCEDES BENZ...

CAR SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T ADJUST WITH THE KEY PUT IN THE IGNITION..THIS WENT ON FOR THREE DAYS...THEN THE CAR DIED..HAD TO GET A JUMP..THE SERVICE REP SAYS THE MODEL# 320 C HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MODULE FAILING ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE..WHEN THE CAR WAS JUMPED ALL ELECTRICAL WAS WORKING PROPERLY AND FIND...TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT YES THE PASSENGER SEAT MODULE WAS BAD AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW BATTERY..THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT MODULE COULD GO OUT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS...THE CAR ONLY HAS 13,703 MILES ON IT AND THIS PROBLEM IS BEEN KNOWN TO MB USA YET IS NOT ADDRESSED. *TR

DURING THE FIVE YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS ALL FUNCTION OF THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. SEAT CONTROLS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY STILL OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THERE IS A SHORT SOMEPLACE, AND THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY CAN'T FIX IT IF THEY CAN'T SEE IT. *TR