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Steering, suspension, tires
04/12/2006
SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY BRAND NEW MERCEDES-BENZ SL-55, I NOTICED SEVERE PULLING TO ONE SIDE TO THE POINT THAT, AFTER MORE THAN 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, I WILL HAVE TO SWITCH ARMS TO CONTINUE APPLYING COMPENSATING WEIGHT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, THE PULLING DECREASED BUT NEVER DISAPPEARED. HOWEVER, OTHER SYMPTOMS STARTED SURFACING, SUCH AS SEVERE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT AND DEVELOPMENT OF RIDGES, LUMP OR DEFORMITIES THAT CAUSE NOISE AND CREATE A "LIMPING" EFFECT. AS MORE MONTHS PASSED BY AND TIRE(S) CONTINUED WEARING UNEVENLY, THE RIDE GOT WORSE; TO THE POINT THAT I LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT 55MPH+ A COUPLE OF TIMES FORTUNATELY WITHOUT CRASHES OR INJURY. AFTER THOSE INCIDENTS, I MINIMIZED THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE SLOWER AND MORE CAREFUL; BUT EVEN AT REDUCED SPEEDS HANDLING IS AFFECTED EVEN ON EVERYDAY ON-ROAD CONDITIONS, BUT MORE NOTICEABLE ON CURVY ROADS OR RAINY WEATHER. AFTER THAT, THE CAR CONTINUED RECEIVING SERVICE UNTIL A DEFECT...
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Exterior Lighting
07/07/2006
HID HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE ROADS. THERE IS NO WAY THE BENEFITS OF ALLOWING ONE CAR TO SUPPOSEDLY SEE BETTER AT NIGHT OUTWEIGH THE RISKS TO EVERY ONCOMING CAR THEY ENCOUNTER. THESE LIGHTS SHOULD AT LEAST BE OUTLAWED AND IDEALLY, MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR THE COSTS OF THE LIGHTS. *JB
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Latches/locks/linkages
02/22/2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED AND THE PASSENGER'S DOOR CAME OPEN; HOWEVER NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS.
