While driving my 2002 Mercedes CL500, I noticed smoke coming from the engine bay and the smell of something burning. Upon inspection it was discovered that a hydraulic suspension hose ruptured and sprayed fluid onto a catalytic converter. This resulted in a large amount of smoke and small flames starting to appear right before the passenger side engine bay was hosed down with water. The Mercedes dealership advised this was a known issue and a recall was issued/performed back in 2005/2007. Mercedes advised me no further work would be done under the recall. I am reporting this to NHTSA as this is a dangerous safety related recurring defect reported on many websites/forums, yet Mercedes refuses to take appropriate action to permanently resolve it.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz CL500. The contact was driving 45 mph when abnormal smoke was emitted from the exhaust. The abc sensor warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and discovered abc hydraulic fluid leaking near the catalytic converter. The dealer was notified who advised that they had repaired the vehicle June 07, 2007 under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V263000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was also contacted who stated that they would not take any liability for the recent failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz C class. While driving 35 mph or higher, the esp indicator light illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer and repaired once before for the same failure. The failure occurs intermittently while driving 35 mph. The dealer stated that they will not order the parts and make the repair again. The failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 09/23/08 the consumer stated the vehicle stalled in braking mode.

- Severn, MD, USA

I have a 2002 Mercedes Benz C240 sedan with 78,000 miles on it. Upon leaving work two weeks ago driving down the parking lot in second gear the car started to make the worst engine noise I ever heard. I shut the car off and had it towed to a dealer and they tell me the timing chain broke. If I was traveling down an interstate and this broke and the engine lost power who knows what would have happened. This in not the first problem I had with the car I have a service file full of problems and spent a lot of time and money on things like front coil springs which also could be very dangerous when they break and I lose control of the car.

- Slatington, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz cl 500. He stated that the abc light illuminated. The dealer replaced the high pressure distribution hose and catalytic converter. He was charged $171.90 for the diagnostic and $2,568.03 for the replacement. He received a safety recall notice (recall#07V263000) for engine and engine cooling after he paid for the repairs however, the manufacturer denied reimbursement. The current mileage was 74,000 and the failure mileage was 70,997.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz CL500. The contact received recall notice number 07V263000 (engine and engine cooling). When he took the vehicle in for repair, a warning light illuminated. The dealer attempted to charge him for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was fine before he took it to the dealer for the recall repair. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 101,740 and failure mileage was 101,000.

- District Heights, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl class. While driving 45 mph, a hydraulic line failed and the vehicle began smoking. The abc light illuminated and the vehicle was towed. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 55,126. The consumer stated that through the internet there was a recall for this vehicle but when Mercedes Benz dealer was contacted they stated that the vehicle's VIN was not included in the recall. The consumer stated while daughter was driving hydraulic fluid leaked onto the exhaust and smoke was coming from underneath the vehicle. Updated 07/03/07

- Miramar, FL, USA

The 1st incident; my Mercedes C240 was only 2 months new. 2nd incident at 10.5 mos, 3rd: Exaclty 1 year, 4th: 1 yr/3 wks, 5th: 13 mos. All 5 times the car experienced the same exact dying out of the engine while driving on the freeway, resulting in loss of power steering, & brakes. 3 of the 5 incidents the car would not start & required a tow to the dealer, having the dealers work on the car only to have the car die out again. Biggest complaint besides mine, my children, & other fellow freeway travelers lives being in danger is the lack and disrespctful attitude of that from Mercedes Benz's customer service.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

While driving 60 mph vehicle stalled. The consumer managed to restart the vehicle on one occasion, but had the vehicle towed the second time. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

Consumer states that the vehicle overheated.

- Espanola, NM, USA