Interesting issue with my MB C350
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Mercedes C350
Interesting issue with my MB C350
Hi All,
Thought I'd share an issue with my MB350 with all of you. I was stranded on Saturday night at 1:30 am outside a friend's house as my car would not start at all. All the electricals such as headlight, command system, etc worked fine but my car wouldnt start. Anyways, the MB Assistance tech came down and thought it wasnt a car battery issue and that I need to get the car towed to the dealership.
The dealership first diagnosed the issue as a key malfunction. The ridiculous thing was that MB USA asked them to try it out with my other key to confirm that was the issue. Since I bought this car pre-owned and just got 1 key, I was told that I would have to buy a new key else MB USA wouldnt cover the first key under warranty. I was furious and called customer care about the issue that they couldnt force me to buy another key in order to warranty the first one. That was outright ridiculous!!! Anyways, to cut the long story short, it was eventually determined that it wasnt a key malfunction issue and it was an ignition switch (not sure what that means) issue that fixed the car.
Just thought I'd share this with all as I wouldnt expect a 8 month old car to have an issue which would completely stall the car. I am hoping MB USA has representatives that read these forums and would take these issues back to the company and hopefully improve the relaibility of these cars which I love BTW.
Thought I'd share an issue with my MB350 with all of you. I was stranded on Saturday night at 1:30 am outside a friend's house as my car would not start at all. All the electricals such as headlight, command system, etc worked fine but my car wouldnt start. Anyways, the MB Assistance tech came down and thought it wasnt a car battery issue and that I need to get the car towed to the dealership.
The dealership first diagnosed the issue as a key malfunction. The ridiculous thing was that MB USA asked them to try it out with my other key to confirm that was the issue. Since I bought this car pre-owned and just got 1 key, I was told that I would have to buy a new key else MB USA wouldnt cover the first key under warranty. I was furious and called customer care about the issue that they couldnt force me to buy another key in order to warranty the first one. That was outright ridiculous!!! Anyways, to cut the long story short, it was eventually determined that it wasnt a key malfunction issue and it was an ignition switch (not sure what that means) issue that fixed the car.
Just thought I'd share this with all as I wouldnt expect a 8 month old car to have an issue which would completely stall the car. I am hoping MB USA has representatives that read these forums and would take these issues back to the company and hopefully improve the relaibility of these cars which I love BTW.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 451
Likes: 1
From: S.F. Bay Area
2008 C300 Sport, 2010 RX350 AWD
http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/select.html
You will find TSB here..it's a common problem..can't believe your dealer made you jump through hoops..
BTW..you really should consider ordering that 2nd key as a safety precaution..
Right now, that missing 2nd key is still out there and not been disabled..so someone could use that key to drive away your car..
If you order a replacement key, then dealership will program the new key and disable the missing key once and for all..
You will find TSB here..it's a common problem..can't believe your dealer made you jump through hoops..
BTW..you really should consider ordering that 2nd key as a safety precaution..
Right now, that missing 2nd key is still out there and not been disabled..so someone could use that key to drive away your car..
If you order a replacement key, then dealership will program the new key and disable the missing key once and for all..
Last edited by justthinking; Jul 9, 2009 at 04:36 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
Yeah I agree, nowhere really states that you have to keep your second key to have any ignition warranty. It seems like your dealer wants to make a quick buck.
Did you change your license plate since obtaining the car? I would since you only have one key. Who knows what the last owner would do with the other key knowing what license plate your car is and in many states, able to find the residence of the plate #.
Did you change your license plate since obtaining the car? I would since you only have one key. Who knows what the last owner would do with the other key knowing what license plate your car is and in many states, able to find the residence of the plate #.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Mercedes C350
not sure why the dealer wouldnt tell me about the service bulletin. anyways, good to know that this is a known issue and i will certainly get the second key and have them disable the lost one.
thanks for the advice guys.
thanks for the advice guys.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
I really have no idea why dealerships can't "find" TSB's. My dealership can't find my rear brake pad TSB, as many others are also reporting. I firmly believe they get reimbursed by MBUSA for it so why not just do the work? Could it just be how their TSB's get reported?
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Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
C 350 Obsidian Black
Sorry to hear of the malfunction, but components go bad. In this case it sounds like possibly a premature failure, but that is what warranties are for. They said the EIS or ignition switch went bad. That is the switch that you physically put your key into to start the car. Would you rather it just malfunction and start when anything was placed in it?
