Warranty issues and/or manufacturing defects that should be covered by warranty. On October. 21, 2003 took my ML500 year 2002 to dealer for squealing and scraping brakes. Service department could not diagnose the problem the squealing and scraping and told me that brake disc and pads looks fine. However they advised me to buy newer version of brake pads, which would not squeal. I refused to buy brake pads, as they should be covered under warranty. I was not satisfied, therefore took the vehicle again next day (October 22,2003) and talked to the sales person from whom I bought the vehicle. He and service manager performed test drive. Dealership checked the brakes again and told the squealing and scrapping was due to a rock stuck between brake pads and disc. Since yesterday, I had driven my vehicle only 24 miles but now the pads and rotors have been damaged. Because of their negligence and unable to diagnose the problem, dealership charged me $348.04 for my 18 months old vehicle, that should have been covered under warranty. Dealership and Mercedes Benz did not honor the warranty. Same day, another customer came to the dealership with similar problem, his Mercedes also had a rock stuck between brake pads and rotors. This appears to be a common defect in the Mercedes that needs to be fixed for the safety of all.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA