On Friday, August 8, 2008, while driving home from work through a residential neighborhood at approximately 20-25 mph. My left front coil spring fell completely off my car! the front end dropped, I temporarily lost control of the car, and the spring went into the road, causing a road hazard for any on-coming vehicle (thankfully there were none). I was notified by the mechanic at my garage that this is somewhat of a common occurrence with this vehicle (Mercedes Benz C230) and that they have been attempting to get Mercedes to recall the mounting piece for this spring (which rusted) for some time with no success. Is Mercedes waiting for a fatality before accepting the seriousness of this defect? no doubt if I had been on the interstate traveling at 55-60 mph I would have been one of those fatalities (as well as other motorists in the vicinity). Please post this defect and try to get as many Mercedes owners as possible acquainted with this defect so that they can have this mounting piece inspected before disaster strikes! this part should definitely be recalled and replaced in any car in which it is installed. The spring, mount, and broken tie rod had to be replaced at a cost of $1,400.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Mercedes Benz C230. The contact stated that the front suspension on the left and right side coil springs has failed. He took the vehicle in to be serviced and the technician confirmed the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer have not yet been notified. The contact stated that the coil springs were replaced due to the severe safety concern. He has the defective coil springs for proof. The cost of the repairs was $434. The current and failure mileages were 68,000.

- Medfield, MA, USA