# 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230 — ENGINE
> NHTSA complaint `1072404` · 2014-06-05 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MERCEDES BENZ
- **Model:** C230
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
- **Component:** ENGINE
- **Miles at failure:** 160,000
- **Speed:** 55 mph
## Narrative
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK AND HEADING UPHILL.  MY AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CLICKED OFF, AND THEN I NOTICED A STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL.  SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD.  THERE WAS NO SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER, SO I DROVE ANOTHER 1/4 MILE UNTIL I CRESTED THE HILL AND CAME TO A DIP.  I NOTICED FLAMES COMING TOWARD ME FROM BETWEEN THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE DASH.  I IMMEDIATELY PULLED MY CAR OVER AND PUT IT IN PARK, GRABBED MY STUFF AND GOT OUT.  THE CAR COMPLETELY BURNED UP.  I GET MY CAR REGULARLY MAINTENANCED BY THE DEALER, AND IT SAID I HAD 1800 OR 1900 MILES UNTIL MY NEXT SERVICE.  *TR
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*