This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My battery keeps draining. When I look at the display screen it only states that the front right light is out. When I had two mechanics look at it and they stated that my battery is being drained due to my seat function not working properly. After not using my battery for hours it dies. I keep having to jump it. My battery has been replaced less than a month ago so I know the battery is not an issue. My display screen gives me a few different malfunctions and than one moment it displays no malfunctions. After charging my car and than leaving it a strange churping sound goes off in my car causing my battery to die again. There are times when my car has died in at night in strange areas and I have to alone and unsafely jump my car and sit until my jumper provides my battery with enough juice to start my car. When I am driving my functions stop working because my battery isn't strong enough to power the everything. This has happened on a number of occasions.
The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz C320. The contact stated that the battery malfunctioned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the driver and passenger seat control modules needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
My 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320's battery was constantly going bad and having to be jumped after not starting it or driving it for approx. 24 hours. Finally, after a certified Mercedes mechanic investigated the problem, he informed me that the problem originated from the driver's seat module, which was draining my battery. He informed me that if I unplugged it for the time being, my battery would no longer drain. Sure enough, after unplugging the seat module, I no longer had issues with my battery draining. The seat module controls seat adjustments as well as steering wheel adjustments, so this is very inconvenient, and unsafe, because there are times, when I have to plug the module in adjust my seat or steering wheel, and it does not work, and I'm stuck with the seats or steering wheel in an uncomfortable position. I have also had problems with brake (stop) lights, turn signal lights, etc., in which the vehicle indicator states that particular lights are malfunctioning, and then after awhile it goes away, and then days later, the lights are inoperable again. I have spent quite a bit of money replacing bulbs. I originally purchased this vehicle in 2004 when it was still under warranty.
Really dad experience problems with drivers and passenger side seat control modules draining battery when key off my car started on fire under the hood.!! two times.
Power control seat & steering column module/regulator went out & before it did it use to drain the battery where car wouldn't start if sat for less than 24hrs, so had to unplug but now the entire system doesn't work plugged in. I can barely reach the pedals to drive properly, this is a safety hazard & needs to be a recall. It also needs to be a way to manually adjust. Thank you
- Inglewood, CA, USA
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I purchased this car as a graduation present for my daughter. I know it's and older model, and has high mileage, so I expected some issues. However, after reading several post across the internet it seems as if the seat module issue is a problem. Everytime she lets the car sit for more than a day, it won't start. She has to jump start the car, and this seems to be an issue across the board that Benz should have recalled by now. This is a major issue and something needs to be done. This morning the card once again would not start. I have contacted the dealer and Benz direct, but they will not recall the car for this issue, they just want you to pay to have it repaired. With so many people having the same problem why has this car not been recalled"?"
After replacing my battery I learned on line that the Mercedes have a problem with their seats where they drain the battery and cannot hold a charge. After having my car jump started 5 times I took it to my mechanic who confirmed it was being drained by the seats....makes no sense. However, apparently it is happening to many people with this year and make of car. Mercedes is not standing behind their defective product. This is not ok....
I have 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 sedan. I have learned that this particular model has a factory defective electronic passenger seat module which cause the battery to be drained very quickly. I called the company to request to fix this problem.they denied to do so. I believe this model is lemon. As soon as passenger seat module is disconnected the battery is holding charge, I can start car right away.
I also have a 2001 C320 since new here in South africa and I have the same problem with the electric front seats draining the battery. If it stands for more than 2 days the battery is flat. It's a problem because it also influences the other electrical accessories as the battery has to be charged and in some cases jump started. While this can be done successfully if you are stuck out of home base sometimes you cannot manage the recovery team that cause all types of voltage spikes when trying to get the car on line again. It seems ludicrous that a seat motor that does not work hard at all can cause this problem. Really not the excellence in engineering I expect from this marque. Here is the VIN no [xxx] as I cannot enter it a few steps later as it does not accept it. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I am the owner of a 2001 C320 Mercedes Benz. I purchased this vehicle back in July of 2003. I have always had complaints about my front seats draining my battery I was told again just recently that it was a problem with that model and year. I think Mercedes should recall this problem and correct it immediately.
Mercedes Benz C320 2001 model. Power seat module shorts and drains battery. The constant draw off the system could at some point, cause a fire, while driving or over night in garage. 2 twice it was failed within a 1 yr time frame. Dealer charge $1000 to fix the problem only to have it happen again. Dealer would not supply old part for inspection.
We own a 2001 Mercedes C320 and have had several problems with the electrical systems all related to the power seat assemblies draining the battery over night. We have had them replaced by the dealer, first time was under warranty, and now- just about a year or so later, same problem. If we unplug the power seats, the batter does not drain. We know we are not the only ones with this problem, see www.benzworld.org/forums/mb-safety-testimonials/1279095-C320-battery-problem-plz-help.html. I agree that it is ridiculous to spend the type of money on this car and get ripped off by the dealers for "diagnostics" on a very well known problem and also getting shafted for replacement parts, only to have them fail the same exact way. This is a widespread problem for Mercedes, and to not acknowledge it and just keep raping customers without fixing the original problem is wrong. I can only hope this complaint will keep just one person from purchasing a Mercedes, of any type, in the future. Mercedes needs to step up and deal with this. Great for the image to see mb owners getting their overpriced cars jump started by Honda and Volkswagen...
Have a 2001 Mercedes C320, the battery keeps draining and the dealer said it is a seat module for $1100. I went on the Mercedes Benz blog and everyone with this year model has had the same problem, I think a recall should be done it is obviously a defective part by Mercedes. I have already had to change the passenger side seat module.
I have a 2001 Mercedes C320 which I can't really drive anymore because the battery drains every day, the problem is the power seat controller, it drains the battery really quickly.
We have a 2001, Mercedes C320 that we have to unplug the power seats on every time we get out of the car. The power seat module is faulty. Obviously we're not the only ones... www.benzworld.org/forums/mb-safety-testimonials/1279095-C320-battery-problem-plz-help.html. it is ridiculous to pay the amount of money you pay for a Mercedes and for them to have so many cars doing the same exact thing without having to fix the problem. This has been going on for over 2 years now.
If the front seats are plugged in the battery drains. Once I unplug no more problem, but as long as they are plugged in and I don't drive the car for 2 or 3 days, the battery is completely drained.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sacramento, CA, USA