10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,500 miles

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problem #3

Sep 082010

CLS500

  • 79,500 miles
I was driving down I-10 on Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 between 5:10 and 5:15 P.M. and all of a sudden my car took off at speeds over 100mph out of control. I was able to get the car on the shoulder of the interstate and come to a complete stop. I was horrified and could not believe what had just happened.it is a miracle no one was killed or injured. My 14 year old son and his friend were in the car during this whole ordeal. I called my husband and he advised me and the kids to be calm and to turn the car off, which I did. I then described to him in detail what had just happened. After about 60-90 seconds later, because the heat inside the vehicle was unbearable, I turned the car back on to get some air. The car then violently leapt forward with the gear shift in park position and took off for another 50 yards. I was able to use the brakes to get the car under control once again. At this time I turned the car off and screamed to the boys " get out of the car". after the car was towed to the dealership their service people experienced the same nightmare as I did. My car almost hit another car on the lot when it once again lunged forward out of control. The car has been "repaired" but I will not put my family in it again. Googling this problem, I found several similar reports, and wanted to make sure mine was filed as well so maybe Mercedes will recognize this is a serious, life threatening problem.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #2

Jan 252010

CLS500

  • miles
2006 Mercedes Benz Cls500. Last night while pulling into a parking spot located in a commercial building, the car suddenly accelerated forward and hit the office wall greatly damaging the driver's front side. I had already eased up on the gas pedal hardly pressing the gas as about to stop the car and place it in park. I filed the claim and know that this looks like I accidentally pressed the gas instead of the brake. However, the acceleration was rocket-speed. Once I got home, I realized the same thing happened a month back (Jan - the week following christmas). I was backing out of a parking space with the back of the area where I had parked completely free when suddenly the car jolted back (again at what seem rocket-like speed). I applied the brakes and stopped the car. The car in the past as jolted in the process of acceleration feeling like it is almost "stuck." I did not have it question the first incident further because I had not been driving the car long - it is my husband's car and he now has a demo from work. Also, the air bags never came out although the impact was heavy. I am very concerned - even if the car can be repaired, I have reported my concern to my insurer. I could have done much more damage than I had done and am worried now that it has happened twice. I have emailed Mercedes waiting for their response, but I found other people with similar complaints including #10206072 that is almost the same case as mine and the same year and model car.

- Cooper City, FL, USA

problem #1

Oct 022007

CLS500 16-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Pulling into parking space car accelerated and hit tree. Air bags did not inflate and satellite did not notify police. Could not stop vehicle. Myself and 2 other people were injured. Similar situation happened earlier this year when vehicle would not stop, struck car in front of me, air bags did not inflate and satellite did not notify police. In both instances there was extensive damage to my vehicle, the most recent over $20,000. The car is still in repair shop 4 weeks after accident. I am afraid to drive the car because I am fearful the same thing will happen.

- Berlin, NJ, USA