2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220
Sat May 10 2025
While driving my lease vehicle on two separate days, it completely shut down while in motion with no prior warning. The first incident occurred while crossing a MAX train intersection in downtown Portland. The engine stopped mid intersection, emitted a strong mechanical odor, ticking noises began, and dashboard alerts appeared. I could not restart or shift the vehicle into neutral. It was stuck, blocking the intersection. Although hazard lights were flashing, the vehicle appeared completely undamaged, so other drivers didn’t realize it was disabled. Police were called to the scene, and we had to remain alert for oncoming trains and traffic weaving around us. Four days later, while driving about 30 MPH on Murray Boulevard near Cornell Rd, a 4-lane hwy near a freeway off-ramp the car failed again in the exact same way. The engine shut down in active traffic. The smell, ticking sounds, and dashboard messages all returned. The vehicle once again would not shift into neutral or respond to restarts. This failure happened with traffic traveling 30-45MPH. Despite police presence and hazard lights, multiple near-accidents occurred because the vehicle looked fully intact and other drivers didn’t understand it was inoperable. Mercedes-Benz claimed this was a starter motor issue, which is inaccurate. A starter motor does not cause a moving vehicle to shut off, nor does it lock out neutral. These symptoms point to a critical failure of the powertrain or electrical system. Most alarming is the inability to manually override the system and move the vehicle to safety. Bystanders and even police were unable to shift or push it. This is a serious design flaw that turns a technical malfunction into a dangerous roadside emergency. This vehicle was in pristine condition with no damage or misuse. I kept up with all maintenance and care. Technology should never prevent human intervention during failure. These incidents placed lives at serious risk.
