SL/R232: Loss of power
Next thing I know I have no power at all. Regardless of how much I stepped on the accelerator- no response - car changed at approx 1200 rpm - so I am driving at 30 miles in 7 th gear and at least to my ears the engine sounded a bit weird.
I waited for an hour after going home to take the car out again, and initially it did the same thing but after about a minute it snapped out of it and is back to its normal self.
No error messages - normal water temp.
Any thoughts?
Bad roads, so all the time in C. - no changes in mode.
No problem getting there and ok for 3/4 of the way back then the same thing happened - no power, laboring to get to1500 rpm then gear change. It felt like the engine using molasses rather than oil.
i have an appointment for Wednesday but I am concerned that the shop will not be able to reproduce the problem. I am wondering if temperature build up has anything to do with this.




And yes, limp mode was mentioned but also surprise that the “check engine light or any other error message” did not come on.
I am sure they will figure it out and I will report back.
I will keep my fingers crossed that they are right and that I will not experience a limp mode episode at exactly the wrong time - for example in the middle of an overtake.
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After stopping at home check engine light went on solid; car was taken to dealer and I was reassured it was "only" software needing update.
Next day car was fine and remained ok for few more weeks then lost power again (on S mode), went on limp mode and had to be towed to same dealer (this time was about 100 miles away).
Car remained there, no events were reproduced but additional software updates were installed. I was reassured "all will be fine now" except...it didn't.
Three weeks later same loss of power on highway, limp mode not allowing speed higher than 70 ml/hr or 2500-3000 rpm.
Towed again to dealer for the 3rd time where "some" event was finally found (battery drained over a weekend and was replaced). In the interim I contacted MBUSA (on 6/21) and told them I would like them to
consider a repurchase or replacement should the loss of power issue return.
They explained they would definitely consider but it would take about 4 weeks to assess my case.
On July 2nd the car had the 4th loss of power on highway, limp mode etc etc and had to be towed to dealer on 7/5 (no availability before).
As of today (8/5) no events were found or reproduced at dealer. I tried to contact the same person at MBUSA to discuss but I was declined any contact with him or any explanation about how to proceed or what o expect.
Passed all documentation to lemon attorney 2 days ago....
I am new to the forum and I thought I share my experience




After stopping at home check engine light went on solid; car was taken to dealer and I was reassured it was "only" software needing update.
Next day car was fine and remained ok for few more weeks then lost power again (on S mode), went on limp mode and had to be towed to same dealer (this time was about 100 miles away).
Car remained there, no events were reproduced but additional software updates were installed. I was reassured "all will be fine now" except...it didn't.
Three weeks later same loss of power on highway, limp mode not allowing speed higher than 70 ml/hr or 2500-3000 rpm.
Towed again to dealer for the 3rd time where "some" event was finally found (battery drained over a weekend and was replaced). In the interim I contacted MBUSA (on 6/21) and told them I would like them to
consider a repurchase or replacement should the loss of power issue return.
They explained they would definitely consider but it would take about 4 weeks to assess my case.
On July 2nd the car had the 4th loss of power on highway, limp mode etc etc and had to be towed to dealer on 7/5 (no availability before).
As of today (8/5) no events were found or reproduced at dealer. I tried to contact the same person at MBUSA to discuss but I was declined any contact with him or any explanation about how to proceed or what o expect.
Passed all documentation to lemon attorney 2 days ago....
I am new to the forum and I thought I share my experience
In California, as an example, if your car needs repair for the same defect 3 times, or if repairs take over 30 days, your car is presumptively a lemon. But California is the most liberal state. So depending on where you bought the car, whether it was new or used, and whether you bought it in state or out of state, your rights may vary.
If you remain unhappy with your lawyer, PM me and I will try to refer you to a responsive lawyer. But 2 days isn't very long and we're now into the weekend, so I'd give your lawyer a few more days.
Last edited by MalibuScott; Aug 6, 2023 at 01:27 AM. Reason: Clarification
In California, as an example, if your car needs repair for the same defect 3 times, or if repairs take over 30 days, your car is presumptively a lemon. But California is the most liberal state. So depending on where you bought the car, whether it was new or used, and whether you bought it in state or out of state, your rights may vary.
If you remain unhappy with your lawyer, PM me and I will try to refer you to a responsive lawyer. But 2 days isn't very long and we're now into the weekend, so I'd give your lawyer a few more days.
The car was purchased brand new in CO but transported to AZ (where I currently reside). Lemon law in AZ is not that different from CA I reckon.
Attorney has already contacted MBUSA and suggested I no longer speak with MB mothership; he stated a response is required within 30-90 days and if MBUSA does not
reply then we’ll go to court. The attorney appears to be on top the issue so we’ll see how it goes. He stated that since it seems a straight forward case this matter should go expeditely. I am a patient person but I wish I had contacted attorney already back in June rather than relying in MB good reputation.
I will keep posting progress as things evolve




I have warned other posters here in the past about buying or registering their Mercedes-Benz vehicles out-of-state since that may compromise their rights under California's very liberal Lemon Law.
The Arizona Attorney General's website (https://www.azag.gov/consumer/auto) says this about Arizona's Lemon Law for new cars:
If there is a problem with the car that substantially impairs the use and value of the car and does not conform to the express warranty of the manufacturer, the consumer should report it to the manufacturer.
The report must be made during the covered period.
The manufacturer or its authorized dealers can repair or correct the defect, accept return of the car or replace the car with a new car.
There is a limit on the number of times a consumer must allow the manufacturer to repair the car and the amount of time the car can be out of service. If during the covered period, the manufacturer fails to successfully repair the defect after four attempts, or the car is out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days, the manufacturer must accept return of the car or replace the car with a new car.
Colorado Law is similar to Arizona's, except the two year limitation in Arizona is one year in Colorado. Colorado provides a PDF document when you go to the State's website on the subject: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...l&opi=89978449
Which state's law applies could be an interesting legal question. I don't know if there are any Arizona cases, and I haven't looked. The worst situation would be for each state (Arizona and Colorado) to say its Lemon Law doesn't apply. Then you're in no man's land.
I have warned other posters here in the past about buying or registering their Mercedes-Benz vehicles out-of-state since that may compromise their rights under California's very liberal Lemon Law.
The Arizona Attorney General's website (https://www.azag.gov/consumer/auto) says this about Arizona's Lemon Law for new cars:
It sounds similar to California law except that it's four strikes rather than three that trigger the law.
Colorado Law is similar to Arizona's, except the two year limitation in Arizona is one year in Colorado. Colorado provides a PDF document when you go to the State's website on the subject: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...l&opi=89978449
Which state's law applies could be an interesting legal question. I don't know if there are any Arizona cases, and I haven't looked. The worst situation would be for each state (Arizona and Colorado) to say its Lemon Law doesn't apply. Then you're in no man's land.
Again, thanks for intelligent observation and consideration
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised and thankful as well about Malibu Scott reply; he seems to know quite a lot about lemon law in CA and other states.
I did some homework and went through the AZ lemon law. The AZ lemon law does not mention anything about cars purchased out of state; I realize though that this may be or become a sticky point for contentious
not to mention I may have missed the outcome of some similar previous disputes.
I don't know how long will it take to MBUSA to respond but my attorney said they must reply within 30-90 days. If they don't then we'll go to court.
As I said before this is the first time I post something in this (and any) forum as I wanted to share my experience as well as to see whether anyone has had same or similar problems and, hopefully, a solution.
I will continue to post all progress and updates.
Stay tuned and thanks for your support




I am a trial lawyer with a business, entertainment and real estate practice. I've been practicing for almost 52 years.
I became interested in the California Lemon Law after my 1990 Mercedes 500SL spent too much time at the dealer with too many issues. My local Mercedes-Benz dealer accepted a return and exchanged it for a 1991, which was trouble-free. Since then I've used the Lemon Law to force a buyback by BMW of a troubled 2006 650i convertible, and a 2010 550i being driven by my ex-wife.
I also helped a neighbor who had a Mercedes E63 AMG whose transmission kept locking and refusing to allow a shift to first from reverse unless the ignition was first turned off. In the middle of that buyback transaction (which cost Mercedes a lot of money) I learned the vehicle had been purchased by my neighbor in Illinois and was licensed by his "trust" in Montana. Mercedes had hired a (clueless) company in Texas to effect the buyback, and while of course I had to disclose the Montana plate number and registration information, I otherwise kept very quiet while the transaction progressed and closed.
I also have an interest in the effect of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act on modified automobile drivetrains that become damaged, but I haven't had a case. I'd be interested in litigating one because the burden of proof (persuasion) is on the dealer to show the modification was the cause of the defect, and I enjoy beating up experts at depositions and on the witness stand.
Last edited by MalibuScott; Aug 8, 2023 at 02:00 PM. Reason: Homonym spelling!
I am glad you were able to help other customers with your expertise. Fifty-two years of practice is tough to beat. Congrats on that too.
On a different note, at this time nothing has happened yet with my case and I am waiting to hear from my attorney.
As promised, I will keep posting any development




Thanks again for your kind advise and expertise
Last edited by Streamliner; Aug 10, 2023 at 12:36 PM.
I will keep my fingers crossed that they are right and that I will not experience a limp mode episode at exactly the wrong time - for example in the middle of an overtake.
And this time the “ check engine light” came on and stayed on even after we managed to restart the car.
I will be taking the vehicle to my dealer Monday morning, and frankly I am really quite worried that this could happen at exactly the wrong moment.
If this had happened on the freeway, at night, I hate to think what might have happened. Best of luck to you with your issues.
I have an update from my side: MB has officially agreed (via email and snail mail) to proceed with repurchase via third party company; I was notified few days back and I referred them to my lemon attorney.
They said the whole process to proceed with an offer will take about 4-6 weeks (not so sure why this long).
On a different note the MB dealer has not been able to reproduce the event leading to loss of power which, somewhat, remains mysterious to me.
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