Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionFire
I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE ABC OR ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING, THE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK , SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE AND I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE THICK SMOKE AND POOR VISIBILITY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE CL55 TOWED TO MY MECHANIC MY MECHANIC, WHO…
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I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE ABC OR ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING, THE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK , SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE AND I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE THICK SMOKE AND POOR VISIBILITY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE CL55 TOWED TO MY MECHANIC MY MECHANIC, WHO SPECIALIZES IN HIGH END MERCEDES BENZ TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MERCEDES CL 55,65,600 MODELS FROM 2003-2006. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE LATER MODELS. THE ORIGINAL STICKER PRICE OF THE CL MODEL IS ABOUT $120,000. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE ABC SYSTEM ON THE AMG MODELS BUT DID NOT MAKE A FACTORY RECALL. I HAVE KNOW MET SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL CAR, 2003-6 CL55 AMG AND ALL OF THEM HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ABC SYSTEM REPLACED WHICH IS WELL OVER $5500. ALSO , A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO MERCEDES BENZ, CALLED BENZWORLD.COM, HAVE NUMEROUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE ABC SYSTEM. THERE IS A CAMPAIGN OF CURRENT OWNERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE BREAKDOWN OF THE ABC SYSTEM WHILE DRIVE COMES VERY SUDDENLY AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING. I AM VERY LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME. THE REPAIR IS NOT ONLY VERY COSTLY ( $5500 ), BUT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED BY ORIGINAL MERCEDES PARTS BECAUSE OF THE FLAWED DESIGN. INSTEAD OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE MERCEDES HAVE A MANDATORY RECALL ON THE 2003-2006 CL AMG MODELS TO ADDRESS THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Suspension
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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