2018 MERCEDES BENZ C 300 Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving at various speeds, the contact could hear an abnormal sound from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer for diagnosis, but the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

Mileage: 57,000

While driving in a curved onramp connecting from one street to another the vehicle experienced a complete loss of steering ability which resulted in the vehicle continuing to move straight, off the pavement, and into a wall. The vehicle bounced off of the wall and loss of steering ability continued and the vehicle could not be controlled, crossed the road, went over a guardrail, and down an embankment until it came to a stop (approx 100ft). The vehicle engine never turned off until it came to a stop at which point the vehicle was manually turned off. No airbags deployed. There were no warning lights or signals of failing components prior to the loss of steering. An initial review by the body shop states that the vehicle is a total loss. The vehicle has been meticulously dealer maintained since the time of delivery as a new vehicle. The vehicle is pending inspection by Mercedes-Benz and by the insurance representative. The issue appears to be the same as those recalls described by NHTSA campaign number 18V872000 and/or 18V850000. The vehicle was never included in either of those recall campaigns. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request, but Mercedes-Benz is picking up the vehicle to perform its inspection.

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC IN JANUARY 2019 REGARDING A RECALL INVOLVING A LOCKNUT IN THE STEERING RACK WHICH MIGHT HAVE INTERNAL MATERIAL CRACKS AFFECTING MY MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF CAR. I HAVE SINCE PERIODICALLY CHECKED THE WEBSITE (WWW.MBUSA.COM/RECALL) FOR A SOLUTION TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE, BUT TO DATE (7/16/19) IT IS STILL LISTED AS AN ON-GOING SAFETY RECALL: "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE." AS THE RECALL LETTER STATES, "IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS INVOLVING LOW-SPEED MANEUVERS, LARGE LATERAL FORCES COULD CAUSE THE LOCKNUT TO BREAK. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING COULD FAIL WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH." IT IS QUITE DISCONCERTING THAT A RECALL WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE SAID AFFECT HAS STILL NOT BEEN REMEDIED IN OVER 7 MONTHS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN DIEGO (4750 KEARNY MESA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, (858) 295-3136) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V850000 (STEERING) AND 18V838000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ORANGE PARK (7018 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 777-5900) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT, RESPECTIVELY.

TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF DAYTONA BEACH AT (386) 675-4677 (LOCATED AT 1188 N TOMOKA FARMS RDM, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32124) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V850000 (STEERING) AND 18V906000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE HOUSE OF IMPORTS (6862 AUTO CENTER DR, BUENA PARK, CA 90621, (714) 627-5553) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

RECALL LETTER STATES DEFECTIVE NUT IN STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND NO DATE IS GIVEN WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE. LETTER WARNS IF THE PART (NUT)) CRACKS THERE IS A RISK OF A CRASH. MERCEDES FACTORY OR THE DELRAY MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THAT LEASED THE CAR TO ME, WILL NOT PROVIDE A SAFE VEHICLE FOR ME TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PART CAN BE FIXED.. I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER TRANSPORTATION. I DO NOT WANT TO RISK DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY AND PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME PERTAINING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). MERCEDES-BENZ OF DELRAY (1001 LINTON BLVD, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33444, (561) 291-6095) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD ARRIVE. A LOANER VEHICLE OPTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). MERCEDES-BENZ OF MARIN (540 FRANCISCO BLVD W, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901, (415) 233-6509) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF LONG BEACH (2300 E SPRING ST, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755, (562) 374-7759) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

I AM WRITING TO SHARE MY DISSATISFACTION WITH MERCEDES BENZ. I HAVE A 2018 C300 THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THE STEERING WHEEL IS DETERIORATING AND I ADDRESSED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF ONTARIO,CA. I OPENED A CASE WITH CORPORATE AND SPOKE WITH CASE MANAGER JAMES WHO WAS NOT HELPFUL, AND REFUSED TO PUT IN A ESCALATION TO MANAGEMENT ABOUT MY SITUATION. HE ACTUALLY THOUGHT MY CALL WAS FUNNY AND LAUGHED AT ONE POINT. I WAS INSULTED BY MERCEDES BENZ WITH THE COMMENT YOU GUYS TOLD ME ABOUT MY WHEEL, AND HOW YOU WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE STANDARD WARRANTY WHICH I'M COVERED UNDER. I FEEL HIGHLY OFFENDED BY THE COMMENT USED BY THE DLR TOWARDS ME OF "YOU USE TOO MUCH LOTION". SOUNDS LIKE A RACIAL COMMENT IF YOU ASK ME. I AM UNCERTAIN IF ITS BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN OF COLOR THAT I WAS TOLD THAT COMMENT. IT ACTUALLY DOESNT SIT WELL WITH ME. I WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE ANOTHER PURCHASE OF A MERCEDES BENZ! YOU GUYS QUOTE ME FOR A NEW STEERING WHEEL OF $2,117 TO RECTIFY MY ISSUE AND OFFERED TO PAY 30%? I'M A NEW CUSTOMER AND THIS IS TERRIBLE SERVICE/TREATMENT. I HAD A DODGE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS FULLY LOADED WITH LEATHER, & THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS FROM 12/2018 HAD NEVER SCHEDULED A APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE OF MY WHEEL UPON MY REQUEST AND NEVER CONTACTS ME, YET SENDS SURVEY'S? THE AGENT EVEN TOLD ME THE DLR LIED TO ME ABOUT THEM CONTACTING CORPORATE, AND NEVER REACHED OUT FOR ASSISTANCE. ALSO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WANTED ME TO WORK WITH A IRF TO REPLACE THE LEATHER BUT I WANT CORPORATE TO STAND BEHIND THE STANDARD WARRANTY. CAR IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD. THIS IS TERRIBLE BUSINESS AND UNETHICAL!