benzat17

+1

ebolick

Well a quick update i finally heard back from MBUSA, and they said that the only thing i can do is take it the dealer and they wont promise anything. i kinda figured this.
I am going to call the dealer tomorrow, any advice on what i should tell them aside from what happend?

I just dont want to get stuck with a 2K bill or even a towing bill at the very least.

AMG X

Don't take it lightly if they try to brush you off and save videos of what is going on before towing it to the dealer. They should provide you with a free diagnosis at the very least. Try to explain the situation in the best way possible and ask for a goodwill repair. If you're nice about it all and express a serious concern in regards to how safe your car is, then it might be all taken care of either for free or at a reduced cost.

tusabes

If you dont get a positive response from the dealer, and you dont even want a towing bill, then file the NHTSA complaint form, print a copy and fedex it to MBUSA corporate office, demand they immediately take care of this at their expense, as this is a safety hazard and you have an appointment with your local news media. Include a link to the video in the fedex

Also call your local news media stations consumer action lines, provide them a link to the video and explaim MB doesnt care to investigate this and is telling you to somehow get the car to the dealer.

Get this the into right hands/attention, and youll magically start getting called that will be towed at no charge and repaired ASAP

Nola

Well nothing qualifies me, other than how the opinions of any other dude on a forum need to be qualified.

Documenting? fine... with an affidavit if you must. But I got a sense that the spirit of that suggestion was to get an attorney that could pursue a lawsuit, or activist news media so they could "stick it to the company". Even if your intentions in seeking them out were different, especially with news media they care little about the truth and more about how sensational the story could be. It is this adversarial and litigious attitude that I think is unnecessary, but sadly a sign of the times.

tusabes

I realize you are in Amsterdam, but here in the US, on our nightly local news stations, there are reporters specifically to help consumers get the attention of companies who are giving the runaround .,.they are usually staffed by senior volunteers. Once the company hears a news station is investigating, the company often steps up.

Nola

What you describe goes above documenting the issue in case you need to back up your claims, and goes into power playing your way to get attention, and is exactly why I said it should be unnecessary but is sadly a sign of the times.

Unnecessary because one should be able to get traction out of a safety issue by its own merits, and sadly a sign of the times because the environment encourages people to take such "stands" when the ulterior motive is a big payday. What, you think the local media is not looking to expose the next big imaginary corporate coverup for their own benefit?

Btw, I am a resident of the US on temporary expat assignment in Europe.

tusabes

I don't think anyone is saying op is going to get a big payday out of this, as there was no injury or damage. But if his legitimate safety concerns are not reaching the right ears at MB , and they are not even expressing willingness to bring this car in for investigation and repair, then yes using the media and creating a public relations issue is certainly warranted

ebolick

Thanks for the info and i will keep everyone updated on this post as this goes. my goal really is to get this problem fixed so when i drive it with my family or when i sale the car i can do it with a clear concious and not worry about someone else getting hurt. Or anyone of you guys that drive the W220 from here having the same problems.

I wont be able to take the car in till the end of next week but like i said ill keep posting with new info as it comes.
Thanks again for the support

la22bay

After viewing video, I have the same car, I would check that throttle cable that pulls it back near back of engine up top it's probably stuck open or disconnected from peddle, it's something simple because it happened to sudden you punched pedal something got stuck

hyperion667

I disagree........bringing it to others attention is important.....

what does that mean?? 'A sign of the times'

what's the sign?

are we just stupid Americans to you?

tower

Hyperion667:

I can relate to the international opinion of how litigious the US appears to have become. For example, google Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants, a frivolous (in my mind) case involving a person who spilled hot coffee on herself but won a judgement of over $600k (subsequently reissued with a private settlement so the exact punitive dollars are unknown). I would invite you to scan some of the web sites such as "stellaawards.com" for some interesting, if not humorus, reading.

Tower

Das Geld 2

ECU is fried.

FraKctured

After your first startup, the dash cluster reads "2 Malfunctions" (right at the end, before you turn the car off). Have you run STAR diagnostic on this yet to see what those are?

ebolick

the two malfunctions are a side light out and the break sensor.

AH1W-COBRA

as the owner of your beautiful looking benz IMO it is 100% your responsibility to repair the car. how can the manufacturer be held liable in any way for your "simple" situation. the fact that it is doing it all the time makes it super easy to troubleshoot and repair. dont listen to anyone advising you to seek freebies from MB, it is a waste of time. just fix it or have it fixed and start enjoying your car again.

ebolick

Not looking to argue but if this was a “simple situation” as you put it then tell me what is the problem? The fact is I was dam lucky to not get into a accident, or hurt a innocent bystander.

If the pedal went out like they normally do I would just lose acceleration like all the others did. However my car did the opposite it took off and almost caused me to crash. This is a safety issue not a maintenance problem, I have no problem paying for something that is wear and tear but I do have a problem having to pay for something that could have hurt me or someone else. Big difference my friend.

Like I said I’m not looking to argue but I feel people should be held accountable and this included companies because I can guarantee I can’t be the only one this has happened to.

by the way thanks for the compilment on my car

AH1W-COBRA

the only way to get the wot condition is if the engine has sufficient air to do it. pull the air cleaner assy off, youll see a throttle valve which controls the air entering the engine. is it stuck open? if it is then determine why and fix it. if it is in the closed position then have someone turn the ignition switch to the run position, dont engage the starter motor. is the valve open now? if it is then correct the signal it's recieving and your car is fixed. since your car is not intermittent the problem is soooooooo much easier to troubleshoot then some gremlin that messes with your car only when someone isnt looking.

ebolick

I did not want to abandon this thread without a final update. i took the car in yesterday and they said it was the accelerator pedal. And of course they wont cover that on a post warrenty. So the total cost is 650. is this about right?

Skylaw

Replacement of the accelerator pedal module is a fairly easy DIY, and would be far less expensive if done that way. See https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...n-problem.html and post #3 at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...ge-my-gas.html

ebolick

Thanks Skylaw!! , man i wish i would have just changed it first. But if they dont fix it they would charge me 160 for diagnosis, 150 for tow and i would still need to spend about 150 to 200 for the part. But they did knock off 120 so its about 500. Live and learn i guess

Skylaw

Personally, after an incident such as the one you experienced, I think it is much better to have expert diagnosis of the problem than to rely on guesswork on a forum. It is a safety matter that, if diagnosed improperly, could cost you and yours your lives.

Once you have a firm diagnosis in hand, then whether you replace the part yourself or have a dealer do it is a matter of your own judgement.

Some folks have far less serious indicators of a failing gas pedal module - under those circumstances, perhaps relying on online diagnosis works.

tusabes

If you had killed yourself or others, there would be a class action recall on this part. The part is clearly defective, and does not always fail in the "safe" mode of no acceleration.

since not enough people have been injured, and OP doesnt want to take this up the corporate chain, it will linger on.

OP I still recommend you send a certified letter to the head of MBUSA with a link to your video and a demand for full payment of your MB repair bill for this deadly defect they refuse to resolve....and if they dont respond GO TO THE MEDIA!