10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 3
Average Mileage:
16,500 miles

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problem #2

Jun 112006

C180

  • 9,000 miles
1. exiting a curve on a windy road at approx. 30mph, driver applied throttle causing an automatic downshift into a 516ftlb torque lunge. With no steering control in 1-second we were in the opposite lane. Driver fought to regain control during second no. 2. then a limo blew through a stop sign on a merge landing right in front of us. Both driver's braced on their gas pedals. 2. the Mercedes cl & sl classes have the same front seats with an integrated seat belt system. Since it was only connected to the seat, the seat failed without even a bruise to my right shoulder (by over 30-40 degrees). I was left against the dash board (with my seatbelt on) throwing limbs at my survival. To add insult to injury, after breaking my left femur twice, smashing two knees, breaking my forearm, hitting my head atop my left hand on the dash and leaving my body when I pushed back and returned I had enough time to think the air bag has yet to go off. Then it did, picking me up by my head, smashing it against the moonroof before finally coming to rest in a mangled seat position. 3. in the 2.75 years it took to get to writing this correspondence, Mercedes has increased their cl power options by another 150hp and 250ftlbs of torque to 650hp/750ftlbs of torque with the same seat/belt arrangement. Nhra rules require 5-point harnesses attached to frame/rollcage components for a car capable of traversing the 1/4mile in 12 seconds or less. The CL55-65's range from mid 12's to mid 11's. and fail to connect any portion of the belt to the vehicle's frame. It makes no sense especially in a car that weighs 4400lbs to leave their occupants fending for themselves in mid flight while "buckled up".

- Melbourne, FL, USA

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problem #1

Jun 292008

C180

  • 24,000 miles
Transmission failure. Rusted and corroded trans at 24,000 miles caused by faulty Mercedes valeo radiator. Mercedes own star bulletin tells dealers about this issue but my dealer decided not to check it out and now Mercedes and dealer are refusing to help when this is a known problem on many of their models and should be a recall.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

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