2001 Mercedes Benz Clk Class

1ST, IN MAY 2006, I WAS PARKING MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ, CLK-430, INTO PARKING LOT AT 7-11 STORE. I PLACE THE SHIFTER INTO P (PARK). THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT THIS TIME. I REMOVE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR RUNNING BACK OUT OF THE PARKING STALL AS IF IT WAS IN THE REVERSE GEAR. I PLACED MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR MOVEMENT. I PLACE THE SHIFTER BACK IN THE DRIVE LOCATION AND DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLACE. AND PLACE THE SHIFTER BACK IN PARK AND AGAIN THE CAR START ROLLING BACKWARDS. ON THE SAME EVENING , I DROVE HOME FROM THE 7-11 STORE AND PARK THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, YES IT AGAIN. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKING THIS TIME. ON JUNE 14, 2006, I STOPPED AT THE LONG BEACH POSTAL OFFICE, ON LEVEL PARKING SURFACE, THIS CAR STAR ROWING FORWARDS TO ANOTHER PARK VEHICLE, I STOPPED THE CAR MOVEMENTS AND PLACE IT IN REVERSE TO MOVE THE BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PARKING PLACED. THIS CAR STAY IN THE PARK GEAR WITHOUT FURTHER FORWARD OR REVERSE MOVEMENT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 32,900 MILES ON IT. *JB

IN MOST PARKING LOTS, LOW CONCRETE "CURBS" ARE PLACED IN STALLS TO PREVENT CARS FROM PULLING TOO FAR FORWARD. TYPICAL CURBS ARE ABOUT SIX INCHES IN HEIGHT. WHEN PARKING IN MANY LOTS IT IS NECESSARY TO PULL A CAR FORWARD SO THE FRONT TIRES TOUCH (OR NEARLY TOUCH) THESE CURBS. OTHERWISE, THE BACK END OF THE CAR WILL BE TOO FAR OUT IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE 2001 MERCEDES CLK 430 IS PRONE TOWARD DAMAGE ON THESE CURBS WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING STALL. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE OF A LIP ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FRONT BUMPER THAT CATCHES ON THE CURB. WHEN THE CAR IS BACKED OUT, THE LOWER FRONT BUMPER CATCHES ON THE CURB AND WILL CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BREAK. THIS SITUATION IS NOT ISOLATED TO MY OWN CAR. OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE EXAMINED THE BUMPERS OF MANY CARS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR (IN VARIOUS PARKING LOTS). WITHOUT EXCEPTION, EVERY BUMPER HAS BEEN BROKEN IN A SIMILAR MANNER. THIS BUMPER WAS DESIGNED SO THAT BREAKAGE IS UNAVOIDABLE, EVEN UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT WOULD JUSTIFY A RECALL.*JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE . PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB