MERCEDES-BENZ Complaints

The cars ignition switch locks up and prevents the car from starting, it can also cause the car to stall when running creating a very dangerous situation. Mercedes is aware of this problem with the ignition switch.

While driving at slow speed (approx 27 mph) on an inclining road, the automatic braking system when off and abruptly slowed down the vehicle. Fortunately there was no one immediately behind my car and there was no apparent reason for the emergency braking. The sidewalk did have a person with a dog off to the right at the time but they were completely away from the car walking on a sidewalk. This could have been dangerous if someone was driving immediately behind my car.

On July 27, 2026, while driving my 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 under normal conditions, the vehicle suddenly displayed a suspension warning stating, “Malfunction — Drive at Max. 50 mph.” The warning appeared while the vehicle was in motion; I had not received this suspension warning before the incident. I photographed the warning when it occurred and presented the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership for diagnosis and repair that same day. On July 30, the dealership confirmed in writing that the vehicle had a leaking front air strut and required replacement of the front air strut. The dealer advised that the required part did not have an established arrival date. As of August 24, the vehicle remains at the authorized dealership and has not been returned to me. I consider this a safety concern because the suspension malfunction occurred without prior warning while the vehicle was being driven and was serious enough for the vehicle itself to instruct the driver not to exceed 50 mph. A failure affecting an air-suspension component during operation raises concern regarding vehicle ride height, stability, handling, and the ability to safely operate the vehicle at normal highway speeds. The failed component and vehicle are presently in the possession of the authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership and should therefore be available for inspection. The condition has been confirmed by the dealership as a leaking front air strut requiring replacement. The vehicle has a significant prior repair history that includes a documented steering-malfunction warning, drivability complaints, vibration, repeated check-engine warnings, and extensive mechanical repairs. I am not asserting that each prior condition shares the same cause as the present suspension failure, but I am reporting that history because it may be relevant to NHTSA's evaluation of the vehicle's safe operation. I have retained the contemporaneous photograph of the suspension warning, the dealership's writ

This vehicle with 19711 mileage was parked in the driveway. The engine started normally, but a red error message stated, "Service Required Do Not Shift Gears Visit Dealer". I contacted the local dealership and Mercedes Roadside Assistance was not able to reset the software. The driveshaft was disconnected and two tow trucks were needed to pull the vehicle out of the driveway and then tow to the dealership. The technician found "internal electrical fault in ISM causing shifter not to come out of park". The electronic shifting unit was replaced and the vehicle is functioning normally. The switching unit did not have any external damage and there was no evidence of corrosion on the electrical terminal. This vehicle has had all of the recommended service at the dealership. It was previously serviced on Nov. 5, 2025 for recall 2025070011(update controll unit software). There were no transmission error codes. In approximately February 2026, the vehicle had not been started and the battery was dead. I jumped the vehicle to start it and then used a battery charger. No one was injured. Luckily this occured in my driveway. Mercedes assistance was appreciated. However, there was absolutely no indication of a problem prior to this. There is no mechanism to shift into neutral to move the vehicle unless the drive shaft is disconnected. If this were to occur on a busy street, it is possible that many people could have been injured. I am reporting this "near miss" in case there are other similar problems that have been reported. I believe that the unit will be inspected by Mercedes as well.

Vehicle rear subframe has rusted through, causing vehicle to swerve upon braking, making the car unsafe to drive for the occupant, other vehicles on the road, and pedestrians. Mercedes dealer has advised that subframe has rusted through, requires replacement. The car will be brought to the dealer for repair (at owner's expense) by Friday, 8/28/2026. We can request that the dealer provide us with the subframe - please advise. The vehicle provided no warning indications.

Vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC Component: Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) / Service Brakes Summary of Complaint: This vehicle has an ongoing, unresolved Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) defect. The amber EPB warning light has recurred multiple times, including most recently after a $3,000 dealership repair intended to correct this exact fault. Timeline: 1.Following a brake pad replacement, the vehicle experienced an EPB failure, brake fluid loss, and a gear shift interlock lockout — leaving the vehicle inoperable. 2.The vehicle was taken to a Mercedes-Benz dealership for repair. This resulted in a dispute over unauthorized work performed and a request for goodwill coverage tied to a known Mercedes-Benz EPB recall. 3.I paid approximately $3,000 to the dealership for a repair specifically to resolve the EPB fault. 4.Approximately a few weeks after this paid repair, the same amber EPB warning light returned, indicating the underlying defect was not resolved. Safety Concern: The EPB is a safety-critical system. Repeated, unresolved failure of this system — including a prior incident involving brake fluid loss and a gear shift interlock lockout that left the vehicle inoperable — represents a real risk of parking brake failure and loss of vehicle control/immobilization in normal use. Additional Notes: •This defect appears connected to a known Mercedes-Benz EPB recall. •I have photo documentation of the recurring warning light (dated) and the dealership repair invoice for the $3,000 repair. •I have an open case with Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance regarding this issue.

I was told by the investigators that the fire was caused by an electrical component under the passenger seat that Mercedes is well aware of. My life was placed in danger because of the Inhalation of forever chemicals and lung damaging smoke and super heated air. Problem confirmed by dozens of owners who experienced and documented the very some accounts, some who have reported contacting the NHTSA years prior to my experience but nothing was done to save lives or prevent losses. The American Freedom insurance investigator told me in writing what caused the fire. Nothing gave any indication that my life was in danger not a light, an alarm nor the monthly Connect service I paid for every month. Nothing gave me an indication that something like this was going to happen.

On Thursday, August 20th at approxmately 5:30PM my 2026 Mercedes Benz suffered a catastrophic transfer case failure and driveshhaft failure at highways speeds, causing a complete loss of propulsion. Putting me in immediate danger of on coming traffic. After the got to the shoulder I waited about 3 plus hours in pouring rain waiting for Mercedes Benz roadside assistance. The safety of this vehicle put me, my wife and family in immediate danger if this happens again. I do have a video I cannot upload as is is too large, but have loaded an image of the car in service showing transfer case. Please let me know how i can share the video.

Information screens; speed, gear etc. and middle screen, radio, gps, etc, go blank. Screens are black with no information. There’s also a popping sound happening in the background over the speakers. You can start the car and put it in gear and drive - but with no information in either computer screens. Safety issue for sure! After waiting approximately 3 hours, the 2 screens come on when car is started.

On XXX, my 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was serviced at a Mercedes-Benz dealership for a B Service, including replacement of the rear brake pads and sensor. The rear wheel had to be removed to perform this work. On XXX, approximately 7 days later, my wife was driving the vehicle with our [XXX] son and his friend as passengers when the LEFT REAR WHEEL COMPLETELY SEPARATED from the vehicle while in motion on a public road. A truck was approaching from behind. The family narrowly avoided a serious collision. Police responded to the scene and an officer directed traffic while the vehicle was towed. The lug bolts were recovered from the roadway. The dealership's General Manager later asked me to return the lug bolts, which I did. The vehicle required repair of the wheel and hub assembly at a collision center. I was given no written explanation of why the wheel separated. Separately, after the XXX service I noticed a transmission problem that was not present before. On XXX it became dangerous: coming out of stops at traffic lights and stop signs, the transmission would slip into Neutral instead of engaging Drive, and after several attempts would drop directly into third gear with a hard jerk. This creates a serious risk of being unable to accelerate away from a stop in traffic. I documented this on video and provided it to the dealership. No injuries have occurred, but both incidents were near-misses with a high risk of a crash or injury. I am reporting this so the potential defect and the quality of the safety-related service are on record. I have photographs and video from the wheel-separation scene, the transmission video, the service records, and related documentation available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)