Mercedes Benz Consumer Reviews - Page 2

EUREKA, CALIFORNIA -- I bought a 2009 E350 last month in Walnut Creek CA. We drove the car home to Eureka California approximately 300 miles. Shortly after arriving home some eight hours after we picked up the car from the dealer, the rear axle had a catastrophic failure. We lost all power to the drive train. It was all we could do using our forward momentum to weave our way through traffic to the side of the road running over the remains of a shopping cart. Although the damage to the front bumper was slight nevertheless our brand-new car was now damaged.

We call the 24-hour road service and our tale of woe problems continued. We were told that 24-hour roadside assistance is only good if you are within 30 miles of the dealership. That we could not have anyone come and get our car until the next day. When we told them the car was in an unsafe position, we were told we are the car owners and it was our responsibility to have a tow the car to a safe location. We even asked to speak with a supervisor but to no avail.

So we towed our car to a safe location and awaited someone come and get our car who had a contract with her Mercedes Benz to come and get it. They did the next day at approximately 5 PM. It took 11 days to get our car back. There was an argument about whether Mercedes should pay for the bumper damage, in the end they did. There was an argument about whether or not they would be responsible for returning the car to us, in the end they did after finding out that it was California law.

We were assured by the dealership that someone from Mercedes would talk to us that they wanted to do the right thing by us. We were also assured that the Mercedes mfg representative would be calling us. Never happened. I did receive one phone call from someone who was a case manager in customer relations. Unfortunately, we're a car full of people on the way to a birthday party for my 75-year-old mother-in-law. I could not talk to her. But no surprise here, no phone call after that. For the record I have called and left messages eight times.

This whole experience has been very disappointing to us. We bought a Mercedes Benz automobile because we felt it was one of the finest engineered cars on the marketplace. We entered into agreement assured that if we had a problem that Mercedes Benz would be there to help us. Not only are they not there to help us, they won't even call us. My advice to you, is if you're traveling with your Mercedes-Benz, don't rely on the roadside assistance get AAA. We wished we would've bought a Lexus.

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Mercedes Benz of Houston Greenway Auto Purchase Disaster

BEWARE if you go to purchase autos from Mercedes Benz of Houston Greenway location. They have the same owners as the Houston North location. We purchased a 2007 Lexus from the Greenway location. The salesman pulled the books and keys one afternoon and was told my wife would be there the next morning to sign papers. She arrived the next morning, SIGNED the papers, and went to financing. While in financing, a disturbance broke out in the dealership. My wife found out a few minutes later the reason for the commotion.

The dealership informed us they had sold the vehicle to someone else the night before. This was AFTER the keys had already been pulled for us BEFORE that alleged buy. Here is one of the important points. Per the dealership personnel, they were paying $4,100 more than we were. So it became a "violate people's legal rights to turn a buck." The dealership manager called me and admitted they had a LEGAL problem. He stated, "I am going to make it right for you." He went on to say that the buyer had until 4 PM to show up to complete the purchase. He said he would call me if they were not thereby 4 to allow me to make the purchase. Dealership personnel (including this manager) have admitted this buyer did NOT show up by 4 PM. Yet he didn't call me.

He EVENTUALLY completed the deal for all the extra money. The manager then said he would sell me a car at cost (or 2, as we wanted to buy 2) to "...make it right, because we don't do business this way." To make a long story short, they NEVER did. They have continued to try to sell autos to us for more than TRUE COST...even reneging on a verbal $ deal we made to remedy this nightmare waste of time. By the way, the supposed "make it right deal" reveals the nature of the dealership. We agreed on a vehicle to test drive. When they finally had it available to test drive, it was 3 days later. Yet it had a SPARE TIRE, A 2ND GASHED TIRE, A PAINT PROBLEM ON THE TRUNK, AND WAS FILTHY. BEWARE, BEWARE!!!! They clearly have no intention of making this right, and the attitude reflects such.

Cons: Dishonest, Lacked Integrity, Lacked Respect for Customers

ORLANDO, FLORIDA -- I brought my Mercedes 260-E to the dealership to have a few minor things done to it. It was running great, and had been since we purchased it. I had the following things done to it: lube, oil and filter change, dash light changed, speedometer cable changed, drivers front window switch fixed.

First of all it took them over a month to fix these repairs. Then, when I went to pick the car up with my son **, I paid them $2,000 for the repairs and left my son with the keys to take the car home because I had to get back to work. The car wouldn't drive off, so they jumped the car off and sent my son on his way. A half a mile down the road the car stopped on him. They refused to take any responsibility for the car that ran great when I brought it to them.

We brought the car back to them and they called me a few days later and told me that it would cost over $5,000 to fix it. Naturally I was devastated by the news so they kept the car because I could not afford to fix it. They have the car and this took place in July of 2007. I never could afford to pick it up. Can you imagine a car that ran perfect when I brought it to them not running at all when I went to pick it up?

It is my experience that some dealers like this one actually causes the car to malfunction so that you will spend more money with them. This dealership would not take any responsibility for my car or fixing what they had done to it. I have many witnesses that this car ran great before I brought it to them. Do not trust this dealership because they scammed me.

NY, NEW YORK -- I took my 2009 MB SL 550 with only 13,000 miles in for its scheduled "B" service. At the time of service I mentioned that the brake pedal was a bit low and that the IPOD cable had a crack in it. A few hours later the service advisor called me and said the B service was over $450 dollars and that my car needed a recommended "brake flush". He said the brake flush even-though a recommended service was not included in the B service and would cost $180 dollars. He also said that the IPOD cable was not covered under warranty and would cost $100. He also said my wiper blades were streaking and, you guessed it, not part of the B service and would cost $80.

When I got the car back I checked what was done for my $450 "B" service... basically an oil change and a 27 point safety inspection which they will do for free if you bring your car in. What a rip off. I will never buy another MB again. I have a 2010 BMW 750i. BMW covers all maintenance for 3 years... including cables and brake flushes. I repeat do not buy a Mercedes Benz. If you do then definitely do not bring it to MB Manhattan. They are a rip off.

HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK -- I went into the pre-owned showroom yesterday and was close to singing a deal for an E350. Unfortunately I ran into Mr. Mitchell (pre-owned manager) and was disgusted at his actions. He suggested my brothers were there to steal from the vehicles there and stated, "You look like some of the kids who stole from here before." It was clear, the discrimination that went on, from Mr. Mitchell alone (the other two sales persons there did not say a word) stemmed from skin color and age. We have bought 2 cars from your dealership before and will never purchase again from your dealership because of this experience. I will be placing a call to MB corporate as well as documenting my experience online at various review sites.

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Mercedes Benz Houston Greenway is the worst dealership I have ever experienced. We had our car serviced there for several years because they are the closest one. First we ddi our routine maintenance there for 3 years until one day I realized the front tires worn a lot. It turned out, they never did tire rotation even they charge me for it. Who knows what else they did not do but charged me for? Secondly, after my car is out off warranty, I bought an extended warranty from an online dealer and they said they are happy to accept the warranty. But every time I used it, they will find some excuses to charge me more. They even try to cheat me by saying that the rear view mirror is not electronic so my warranty will not cover it. The parts there are also way more expensive than other dealers. They charge over $12 for a light bulb, but you can buy it from another dealer for $4. I now go to Star Motor for service and repair. They are much better. Mercedes Greenway is worse than a Junk car dealer when coming to cheating your money.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA -- 2002 CL500 Coupe - 100k miles now - just ended my extended warranty. Car had some service work done at Sacramento dealership on Howe Ave. Routine service work was done at a certified Mercedes Repair shop. All recall work and ABC system problems that occurred before 50k miles were checked by the dealership. Numerous cluster problems on dash. ABC system had to be repaired twice under warranty. The front end of the car dropped down on the tires.

I was told by mechanics and other owners that this is a big problem with these cars. My car has never been in an accident but now I have cracks on both fenders in the same location. When you open the hood you can see where the cracks started. Appears to be a design defect. Mercedes tells me that's a body shop problem--too many miles and nothing can be done after 50k miles.

Why should I have to pay almost $5,000 to fix plastic fenders that I did not damage? This car cost 100k brand new. I bought it at 28k miles and in excellent condition from a private owner. If this is how the Mercedes Company treats their car owners--not offering any accommodation for my problem--they will never get my business again. Plus everyone I know will hear my story.

MONTVALE, NEW JERSEY -- I bought a new Mercedes SLK in 2005 (a 2006 model). About a year later, the navigation system began to malfunction intermittently. I have taken the car to my dealer (RAB Motors in San Rafael, CA) eleven times for this problem but it has not been fixed. The dealer's own records state that the problem has been observed and verified by their service technicians. They have replaced some parts of the navigation system but it still malfunctions.

Both Mercedes USA customer service and RAB refuse to do anything further. RAB blames Mercedes and Mercedes blames RAB. The car is under warranty both because the problem arose during the warranty period and because I purchased a seven year extended warranty from Mercedes.

I have never seen a company simply stonewall a customer when the problem is documented. It clearly is covered by warranty and they simply have no defense. This was my seventh Mercedes car but Mercedes does not seem to place any value on customer loyalty. I will sue them if necessary but I am really shocked at the lack of concern for a loyal customer and total disregard for their legal obligations under the warranty.

Mercedes-Benz Model: CLK-Class CLK 320
Chassis No: WDB2084652T081499
Registration: Y201VGA

Thank you for your recent e-mail concerning warranty for corrosion
on the above Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.

This vehicle had a three year warranty from the first date of
registration which also included the paintwork and any corrosion issues. For
an undefined period after the warranty expires Mercedes-Benz can consider
goodwill towards repairs classified as manufacturing issues. The vehicle is
now in its seventh year outside of warranty and at this age Mercedes-Benz
will not provide any financial support towards repairs.

Thank you for contacting the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center Maastricht N. V. with your enquiry.

Yours sincerely

Michael
Customer Service
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N. V.
Gaetano Martinolaan 10
NL-6229 GS Maastricht, the Netherlands

Phone No:
00800 9 777 7777 (international freephone)
0207 660 9993 (charged at national rate)

TENNESSEE -- I have a 2001 S 600 the car is very well taken care of, it still looks new. I am reporting a safety violation with this car and the dealership is making the customers pay for it. The hydraulics lines run above the transmission and it develops a leak and it runs down on the hot exhaust system. I want this fixed and not out of my pocket. I will sue Mercedes if they don't address this issue and fix my car.

Also I am now having accelerator problems. Sometimes I don't get a response when I am turning at an intersection and then it will suddenly lunge forward. This problem started after I started having problems with my hydraulics systems leaking.