Mercedes-Benz

I recorded the issue on camera and brought it to the dealer. The mechanic at the dealer looked at the video and drove the car around for 5 minutes then came back and said that he does not see the problem at the moment so there is nothing they can do. About 8 months before the warranty expired, we began to have another intermittent problem with the transmission, every couple of months, the reverse gear does not work. You can put the transmission into reverse, feel the gear engage but the car won't move; we can rev up the engine to 3000 rpm and the car wouldn't move. The only way to get out of that problem is to drive forward for about 1/4 miles, then after that the reverse gear work again until the next time.

We brought the car to the dealer, they test drove the car and did not see the issue, so they again told us, there is nothing they can do. Kept having both of these problems every few months, so we recorded the problem with the transmission on video where the dashboard show the gear in reversed, engine rev up and the car did not move (can tell thru the windshield). We bought it to the dealer and show them the problem. They again drove the car around for a few minutes and came back to tell us that there is nothing they can do because the problem does not happen at that time.

When the warranty about to expire on this vehicle, I called Mercedes USA (talked to Erik). He told me I should bring the vehicle back to the dealer if the problem comes back, but I will be responsible for all cost of diagnostic and any cost associated with fixing the transmission. I told him I have detail dealer record/video of the problem existed well before warranty expired and it is Mercedes that could not fix the problem. He kept repeating the warranty policy of 4 years/40K miles and owner responsible for all cost afterward, and that was how the call ended. We spent twice the money on this luxury brand and this is how they treated their customers. I will never purchase another Mercedes or any of their franchise brand and I will make sure I tell this story every chance I get.

When we are on I-93 and close to Mile Mark 64, Our Mercedes E 300 car had flat (tire blow out though it has run flats on it) around 4.30 pm, which is around 180 miles away from Phoenix and another 120 miles to Vegas. We pulled over the car and realized our run flats were of no use anymore. We tried to move our car further down the roadside aisle but the car doesn’t move and shows the indicator as if it's disabled. We called immediately to Mercedes Benz SOS call (A red button on top of our head in Mercedes Benz), They received our call and politely directed us on suggestions to press another wrench button to reach roadside assistance. We followed their instructions. We called for RoadSide assistance for help.

We had a conversation with roadside assistance for 15 minutes and gave our location along with mile marker. We been requested several times by our Mercedes Benz on our location, We shared what we know as we are nowhere in the middle of desert and don’t know exact location where we are other than our Mobile Phone provided coordinates. They recorded information and said that they are going to look for a toll truck guy to pull our car near to Henderson Las Vegas Mercedes Benz Showroom.

We requested either for a loaner or provide a rental car as the toll truck doesn’t pick 4 people due to their policy constraints. We made it clear that we are ready to pay for those services as Safety is much priority at this moment as we are in middle of highway. To our Surprise, Mercedes Benz couldn’t offer a loaner nor rental. Instead they suggested to get a ride from a family member. (Who the hell on the world can give such a dumb response other than Mercedes Benz Call Center when they already know that we are 180 miles away from home location.)

After waiting there for 2 hours and having several conversations with Mercedes Benz Call center, They called again to find our exact location as they couldn’t pinpoint our location. We immediately responded them by sending our Google maps locations. After an hour, We called them up again (around 7 pm) and realized that they might take another 1 hour to pick our car. So we made up our mind and said to come and tow as we are going to leave keys inside and lock the car.

Here is the interesting part. As Mercedes Benz offers Lock and Unlock features through your mobile App from anywhere, I requested them to call me when they are about to pick my car so that I can unlock using my App. In that way, it's safer to have keys inside of car and keys would help to start the engine. The customer service rep says that they are not sure whether that feature works. Bummer. Finally, we agreed to leave keys nearby front tire and leave the place. We called for Lyft and our pick up was ready in 15 minutes to take us to Vegas.

Now the question arises on the products of Mercedes Benz.

4. How come Henderson Las Vegas Mercedes Benz fail to understand the customer needs instead claim as if their cars is good to move on run flats for another 50 miles. (When the car itself states as if it's disabled and cannot move).

After coming home, We realized as if AAA and Lyft are better than so called Luxury cars. Just think what would have happened if you have kids in the car, same situation and middle of nowhere. Why do we need to buy these cars which sets high expectations on their services but failed to execute when needed?

The last year we put on 4,000 miles with no mention of any of these issues in prior years. While I understand somewhat (again usually 100,000 miles) the repacking needs, the other two items were completely a failure of the vehicle to perform properly and unusual failure (I would hope) of things that I have had cars with over 150,000 miles without issues. I called Corporate, after the dealer gave no assistance, as I thought those repairs should be covered with such low mileage and care given to the car throughout its life. They offered $600 off if all service was completed at the dealership. I've had a Buick that was 2 years out of warranty with 42,000 miles engine replacement all the way to the torque converter because of the engine failure and cost me $100.00. I always thought Mercedes was a quality vehicle, and I was sadly mistaken. Do NOT Buy Mercedes.