Questions and Answers

Mercedes Benz Has A Lot Of Problems Q. I had to get a gas tank in my 1999 Mercedes Benz replaced due to hitting a pothole or something in the street. Well after getting my gas tank replaced I had to take the car back because the car was making loud noise like something was going to fall out of my car. I took the car back and was told that a bulk had to be replaced.

I got the car back again and the car was running very loud and sound like the car was not idling down after I started the car. Every time I would start the car the car would run very loud and would not idle down, so I took the car back again and was told that the a switch on the fan belt had to be replaced.

I been complaint to the Mercedes Benz repair shop that something is not right, they kept insisting that the car was fine. So after they did something to the fan belt, the car did not run as loud but was still out of the ordinary running. I kept telling the Mercedes Benz repair shop that the noise was coming from the front of the car and that it was running loud.

Last night the strangest thing happened to my car. My car started making a loud noise and a very heavy smell like something was burning. So I immediately told my kids to get out of the car and as I was leaving my vehicle I notice some white smoke an indication that the car was overheating.

My question to what could be the problem with my car? Is it possible that I damaged more than just the gas tank? I think that when Mercedes replaced my gas tank they messed up my car. My car was not running loud and never had any signs of overheating. I am the type of person who always services my vehicle properly. I just had a major service done to my car November 2002.

Do you think that Mercedes should of informed me that it was a problem with the fan belt or what? Something is not right. Also, I got a letter from Mercedes Benz Manufacturer stating that the 1998-2001 C-class might of had the wrong oil and that it causes engines to seize. I was told they had to switch my oil to the long lasting oil. I do not know the name of the oil. But not too long ago, the engine light came on.

I call Mercedes and took the car in and was told that they had to level my oil. Two months later the oil light came on again I was told to go to the gas station to get oil check if low add oil. The oil was two quarts low; I got two quarts of the long lasting oil.

From looking at all the times I been in the Mercedes repair shop, I honesty believe these people have not been up front with me and that this car has been an on-going problem waiting for something major to happen. Can you honestly tell me what's going on? Is this a major problem?

A. I really can't tell you for sure if you have a major problem or not. This is a situation where I would have to see the car in order to make any kind of diagnosis. But, to be on the safe side, I would want you to assume it is a major problem.

I don't know what model Mercedes benz you have or how many miles you have on it. But Mercedes Benz has a five year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. I would call the Mercedes Benz Customer Service number in your owners manual (1-800-367-6372 I think it is) and file a complaint with Mercedes Benz and they will see to it that the car is fixed right, once and for all.