*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Steering
Vehicle has lost its ability to be driven. Car alarm has gone of a multitude of times at different hours of day and night. Finally we were told that the steering column needs to be replaced. According to tow truck driver, Auto lock person, this is common from the 300 series of Mercedes Benz. Obviously very costly. My car is worthless at this point. I believe that the Mercedes Benz should have a recall on the steering column lock. Obviously, this is not only a defect but, also causing safety issues with it just turning off and not able to restart.
Mar 14, 2025Service brakes
Rear brake lines corroded leading to loss of brake fluid while on the road. My at the time 4 year old son and I were in the car (I was the driver). This was in December of 2022 so almost two years ago. Earlier that year, MB dealership warned me about rear sub frame being corroded, too, but the cost of repairs ($7,000) were out of reach. There were no warning signs the day brake line started leaking other than a dashboard message to check the brake fluid and I felt I could not really stop my car. Car was taken to a local shop and the rear brake lines were repaired for $1,158. on 12/12/2022. Then this spring 2024 rear sub frame fell apart while switching my winter wheels to all year…
Dec 12, 2022Service brakes
Total shutdown of complete systemâ¦brakes, steering and engine at around 25-to 30 MPH. No warning. Happened two timesâ¦once before M-B service and once after service for problem. It checked out OK from dealership months before only to have it happen again. Was lucky to avoid a crash both times. Sold to dealership. Wrote my safety concerns for a new owner to local dealership and corporate.
Jun 13, 2023Suspension
REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES AND BROKE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE WAS 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME. ALSO, I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE SAME W204 CAR SERIES 120,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. VIN [XXX]. LAST WEEK THE REAR SUBFRAME BROKE ON THAT CAR WHILE DRIVING. CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING SERIOUS WRECK ON I77. MERCEDES REPLACED AND PAID FOR THE FIRST VEHICLES SUBFRAME. I PAID FOR THE LABOR. THEY ARE GIVING ME 30% OFF THE REPAIR OF THE ONE NOW IN THE DEALERS SHOP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MERCEDES SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THAT MERCEDES KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SUBFRAME ON THIS MODEL. I HAVE…
Dec 28, 2020 · 120,000 milesSteering
I HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE LIGHTING ISSUES WITH FRONT, REAR, AND SIGNAL LIGHTING. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO PAY TO REPLACE THESE LIGHTS EVERY YEAR. NOW MY POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION EBS LIGHT HAS COME ON. THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH. I JUST PAID $1300 FOR SERVICE B AND SOME OTHER THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM TIRED OF ALWAYS HAVING TO PAY TO REPLACE LIGHTS.
Jan 12, 2019Structure
HI, ON MY COMMUTE HOME FROM WORK, I WAS GETTING READY TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY BY DECELERATING. MY CAR SWERVED AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL WHEN I BEGAN TO PRESS THE BRAKES. THERE WERE NO CARS AT 7AM ON THE WEEKEND, SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE 1/4 MILE EXIT RAMP. I CONTINUE HOME, BUT FEEL THE CAR KICKING OUT THE REAR END WHEN I BRAKE. AT SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER SPEEDS I LOOK IN THE MIRROR AS I BRAKE AND NOTICE MY REAR RIGHT WHEEL TURNING INWARDS. I GET HOME AND WHEN I WAKE UP I LIFTED THE CAR AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE REAR BRACKET WELDED TO THE CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDS THE REAR TIE ROD CRAKED.
Dec 30, 2018 · 138,500 milesEngine
WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WILL NOT TURN OVER NO LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE RADIO CUTS ON AND THE ONLY THING THAT DISPLAYS ON THE DASHBOARD IS THE MILEAGE NO OTHER LIGHTS. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO FIRST OR SECOND POSITION. THE DAY BEFORE WHEN MY CAR WOULD NOT START I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND REPLACE IT IN THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP THIS TIME IT DOES NOTHING. I'M BEING TOLD IT'S AN ESL STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE THAT IS COMMON TO THIS CAR MODEL.
Dec 5, 2018 · 150,000 milesAir bags
TAKATA RECALL - WE HAVE CALLED ALEX RODRIGUEZ MERCEDES OVER 5 TIMES AND HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT NUMEROUS TIME. HAVE ASKED EACH TIME ABOUT THE RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. WE GET THE SAME ANSWER EVERY TIME-' AS SOON AS WE GET THE REPLACEMENT WE WILL CALL YOU IN TO REPLACE. WE DON'T HAVE THE SUPPLIES RIGHT NOW. ' VERY FRUSTRATING!!
Jan 18, 2015
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.