'18 C63 Convertible Top Cables Fraying
1st failure aug 2019
Couldn’t close top, stuck with it open.
Problem: limit switch went bad
Took 2 weeks to fix, under warranty.
2nd failure oct 2019
problem: Couldn’t put the top down, wouldn’t latch couldn’t finish the last step, top didn’t seem to go far enough into the trunk for the trunk lid to fully latch. Top ended up like exploding, several strings were apparently frayed/ snagged inside of the top somehow, ended up pulling out the plastic brackets on the headliner which hold the strings in place off.
Had to replace entire headliner + strings and re-rivet everything.
Took another 2 weeks to fix, again under warranty.
3rd failure dec 2019
Same problem as before, frayed and ripped strings, trunk lid couldn’t latch again for some reason. They were able to salvage the headliner again because only the strings ripped and they replaced those again. But they couldn’t get the trunk lid that houses the convertible top to close now. They re-adjusted the lid now it is no longer flush with the other panels and looks awful, was told thats all they can do. Again, under warranty .
I just got the car back yesterday and am super disappointed, I tried to explain to them my top while in the trunk sits about 1.5 inches higher than my friends car, same exact year make and model so thats why its having an issue closing but they dont seem to mind the major difference.. I cant wait to dump this car maybe I have a lemon top because I guarantee in 1-2 months Ill have a 4th failure again which is just insane in a 6 month period.
Along with those issues in 2019 my fuel pump went out and I had to get both seat belts replaced plus a ton of other warranty claims and recalls done.
My car is currently at 19,000 miles. I drove 16,000 during 2010
Always, sorry for the rant, def get it checked out its not normal to chafe.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-c...er-issues.html
And here is a pdf of what the repair is:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...64805-9999.pdf
Here is the Mercedes service bulletin that Konigstiger posted:
1st failure aug 2019
Couldn’t close top, stuck with it open.
Problem: limit switch went bad
Took 2 weeks to fix, under warranty.
2nd failure oct 2019
problem: Couldn’t put the top down, wouldn’t latch couldn’t finish the last step, top didn’t seem to go far enough into the trunk for the trunk lid to fully latch. Top ended up like exploding, several strings were apparently frayed/ snagged inside of the top somehow, ended up pulling out the plastic brackets on the headliner which hold the strings in place off.
Had to replace entire headliner + strings and re-rivet everything.
Took another 2 weeks to fix, again under warranty.
3rd failure dec 2019
Same problem as before, frayed and ripped strings, trunk lid couldn’t latch again for some reason. They were able to salvage the headliner again because only the strings ripped and they replaced those again. But they couldn’t get the trunk lid that houses the convertible top to close now. They re-adjusted the lid now it is no longer flush with the other panels and looks awful, was told thats all they can do. Again, under warranty .
I just got the car back yesterday and am super disappointed, I tried to explain to them my top while in the trunk sits about 1.5 inches higher than my friends car, same exact year make and model so thats why its having an issue closing but they dont seem to mind the major difference.. I cant wait to dump this car maybe I have a lemon top because I guarantee in 1-2 months Ill have a 4th failure again which is just insane in a 6 month period.
Along with those issues in 2019 my fuel pump went out and I had to get both seat belts replaced plus a ton of other warranty claims and recalls done.
My car is currently at 19,000 miles. I drove 16,000 during 2010
Always, sorry for the rant, def get it checked out its not normal to chafe.
Sorry to hear. I have just experience a headliner failure where one of the plastic clips the holds on of the tension cable that folds the canvas has snapped. The roof opens but does not complete the cycle as it remains unflushed by 1.5cm. This force the lid to open up after 5 seconds and it remains open. Any ideas on how to fix this? Is this covered under warranty?
Najim (c43)
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my friend has an E220 with exactly the same issue.
what was the solution to this problem?
is it possible to do it as a home repair or did you have to take yours to the garage?
I’m not too sure what the correct name of it is, I call it the “roof string” if you know the actual name of this can you please let me know.
very much appreciated and thank you in advance.
It looks like it was a different cord the first time, didn't take pics the second time.
It seems like a simple fix would be stronger cords, or cords made differently so they wouldn't fray, or put a small roller on the d hooks so the cord would roll rather than rub. But I'm not a german engineer so what do I know!
The first fix was done after the bulletin, so presumably they followed the corrective measures. The second fix they replaced the whole headliner.
Clearly neither "fix" works, so it seems as though the issue is with the roof itself, and it sounds like a whole new roof would solve the problem, but someone earlier said even that didn't work, and of course they'll issue a million bulletins to "fix" the problem before admitting we all need a whole new roof.
I'm taking mine in next Monday will update after that.
It looks like it was a different cord the first time, didn't take pics the second time.
It seems like a simple fix would be stronger cords, or cords made differently so they wouldn't fray, or put a small roller on the d hooks so the cord would roll rather than rub. But I'm not a german engineer so what do I know!
The first fix was done after the bulletin, so presumably they followed the corrective measures. The second fix they replaced the whole headliner.
Clearly neither "fix" works, so it seems as though the issue is with the roof itself, and it sounds like a whole new roof would solve the problem, but someone earlier said even that didn't work, and of course they'll issue a million bulletins to "fix" the problem before admitting we all need a whole new roof.
I'm taking mine in next Monday will update after that.
and then 2 months later it frayed again anyways lol but the last time I took it in they replaced the headliner again and the note on the receipt said updated design headliner cables or something. But I had 6 months on warranty and I don’t trust it that car was a nightmare
we had 2 2017 c300 cabriolets but both of them shared the top issue so it just seems like a crappy design.
We still have one of them but I went and bought a kia stinger lol I couldn’t be happier to be honest . Car was in the shop for weeks at a time every couple months. Maybe if they don’t axe the cabriolets I will try again in a few years!
Were these all done at the same dealer? In March I took my 18' C43 to Dealer 1 for fraying cables. I was told they repaired it. Was fine until this month when roof stopped folding back in and latching. Took to Dealer 2 and they're refusing to work on it stating Dealer 1 messed the roof up so they should fix it. MBUS is of no help currently and stated that dealers are independent so can refuse warranty work.
Last edited by BaranE; May 20, 2021 at 08:54 PM.
luckily between both cars the the crazy amount of failures we were never denied a claim. Never argued
Last edited by punkfs; May 20, 2021 at 10:57 PM.




This top issue is huge and wonder what people thoughts are. Get a 2020 used or find a new 2021. I for sure want the 6cylinder so the new model coming out is not an option.
What are your thoughts?
punkfs how is your fixed c300?
mahalo…Tor
This top issue is huge and wonder what people thoughts are. Get a 2020 used or find a new 2021. I for sure want the 6cylinder so the new model coming out is not an option.
What are your thoughts?
punkfs how is your fixed c300?
mahalo…Tor




