# 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `1103955` · 2014-08-29 · 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:** C240
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 36,000
- **Speed:** 45 mph
## Narrative
AFTER DRIVING 1 MILE FROM HOME, THE AIR CONDITIONED SYSTEM SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE DRIVER'S VENT INTO THE CABIN. I LEFT THE CAR UNINJURED AND CALLED 911. FIREMEN CAME 10 MINUTES LATER AND I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE LEFT VENT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD MELTED COMPLETELY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, AND MY INSURER DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. I'M GLAD THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY, THOUGH THE INCIDENT WAS REALLY SCARY. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR (3 MONTHS AGO) TO THE MERCEDES DEALER FOR A SERVICE THAT COST ME MORE THAN $6,000, AND THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO RUN LIKE NEW. THE AC HAD NEVER FAILED BEFORE THIS.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*