NHTSA complaint: 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG C43 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ C43 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 63 MPH IN THE RAIN, LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT SLED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE INCIDENT OF MARCH 12TH DID NOT FEEL LIKE I HAD HYDRO-PLANNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SUCH AS AIR BAGS FAILURE, SHOCK FAILURE, SUSPENSION FAILURE AND TRACK FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DAMAGED UNDER THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED AND A FAILURE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ON-LINE AND BELIEVES THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE AND MAY BE A CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL STEERING. DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY PENSKE AUTO COLLISION CENTER, THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT TELL IF THE STEERING DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED DURING THE COLLISION OR AS A RESULT OF A DEFECT. THEY ALSO FOUND DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVE UNIT ALTHOUGH, AS VERY VISIBLE IN THE PHOTOS, THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE BARRIER WITH THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) PORTION OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THE REAR OF THE CAR NEVER SLAMMED INTO THE BARRIER BUT DID SCRAPE ALONG THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOMENTARILY BUT THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE COLLISION CENTER COULD NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE DAMA
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation