What 185 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was smoking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the local dealer an hour before the failure and was diagnosed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil. Additionally, the contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the local dealer had concealed the condition of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,499.

NHTSA ODI 11424080

A Summary of the May 9, 2021, event follows: 6:30 a.m: I Woke up, put on gym clothes and shoes and drove to gym (1 mile from home). 7:01:40 a.m. Turned into the gym parking lot and slowly inched into a parking space. (my Mercedes rides low in the front so I pull in slowly so the block will not scrape my bumper). 7:02:00 a.m. As I pull slowly into the parking space the car stalls and the engine begins revving very loud. I firmly press my right foot (foot was already on the brake as I was inching into the space) on the brake because the car is still making that revving sound. 7:02:15 a.m. The car is at a complete stop for some time. The engine begins revving even louder and surges forward (foot was still on the brake) four feet. The car hits the brick gym building and comes to a standstill. I turn off the engine and sit there stunned. ( A witness signed a statement and said "car was at a complete stop for some time...thought driver would open her door and get out but then the car suddenly surged forward and hit the building"). After getting out of my car and inspecting the wrecked car, I notice the gas cap is open and I shut it. The police show up, and say "no police report" will be made. I have some injuries (concussion, bruises over full torso and legs) but I treat patients with TBIs so self-diagnosed and treated my injuries without seeking additional medical attention. On May 9, 2021, I call CSAA and report the accident. After several conversations with CSAA Claims Advisor Karl Arnold, it appears the car frame is damaged, and repair costs exceed value of car. The building had no damage. I then attempted to access relevant data on the EDR and was misled by the Mercedes Fairfield dealership, Service Unit. I was told by Josh “the data is irretrievable, and you can’t get it”. I asked why would Congress pass the EDR in to law making EDRs mandatory and data belongs to owner, if it is not retrievable? He had no answer. [xxx] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *cc

NHTSA ODI 11418645

THE VEHICLE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE WHILE BEING PARKED.

NHTSA ODI 11365290