1998 Mercedes Benz E-320, speed <15 mph had the front drivers side coil spring ejected and housing completely separated from the vehicle making the front end drop down onto driver's side front tire without warning. The impingement of the body onto the tire and wheel and/or the spring itself precluded any steering control. The coil spring mount or "saddle" had separated from the welded point to the frame of the vehicle. Mercedes offerred to pay 25% of the repair fee due to excellent service history. We repeatedly requested a team from Mercedes to inspect the vehicle because this vehicle would be ideal to investigate as no other complicating crash had occurred. They refused this. My wife authorized the repair but indicated that we wanted all parts to be saved for further investigation by the NHTSA.the next day, the service manager reported that Mercedes now offerred to pay 50% of repair cost but required a "waiver" be signed to "hold harmless" Mercedes from any further problems or damages incurred with this part of the vehicle. We refused to sign any waiver as it is our expectation that the repair be completed in a manner to ensure the vehicle's future safety. We contacted the body shop with the plan to inform Mercedes that we would be towing the vehicle to another shop for further inspection/ repair. We were informed the repair had already been compelted and that the car was now at the dealership for allignment but old parts were saved for us. Mercedes never informed us of any open investigation regarding this vehicle even when directly asked this question. We anticipate the repair to exceed $1,000 plus towing. I disagree with information provided by Mercedes in earlier investigations indicating that this failure would not result in a loss of control of the vehicle. I completely lost all ability to steer the vehicle and was only able to stop without crashing because it occurred at low speed with no other vehicles or objects around me.

- Shamong, NJ, USA

The main suspension spring from my right front tire fell out on the garage floor and the car came down on the tire. Two minutes before the car was being driving on the road at 60 mph and had it occurred two minutes earlier someone would have been killed. The poor design by mb caused excess rust and failure in the 1998 mb E320.

- Phillips, WI, USA

1998 Mercedes Benz E300D 4 door sedan. Driver side spring perch is rusted and peeling off due to manufacturing defect. Car is dangerous to drive the way it is due to this manufacturing defect. This is a known issue on many forums as well as previous www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?T=95228.

- Everett, WA, USA

I have noticed that the spring/coil upper tower perch has almost come completely off. If it comes off while driving the car will lose control. It has come loose due to rust, which is a problem with these cars. These cars will rust on the body panels and on the suspension components. Please get Mercedes to do something about this. Not only is it bad cosmetically, but the rusted spring perches can be catastrophic.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

The top spring mount broke off the suspension. The vehicle was taken for a check up, and it was found that the other right spring needed repairs as well. The dealer repaired the problem free of charge. The consumer found that this was a common problem.

- Columbia, LA, USA