The Nation - News from May 26, 1987

The Center for Auto Safety, a private consumer group, said it petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after receiving reports of 24 incidents, including more than a dozen accidents, in which 1984-85 Mercedes-Benz automobiles accelerated unexpectedly when shifted out of park. The federal agency dropped a low-level investigation into similar complaints last January after concluding that no evidence was found to clearly indicate a trend of failures that might be related to a defect in the car. In response to that probe, Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc. attributed the acceleration incidents to the drivers. The center said the incidents involved the Mercedes 190E, 300E, 380SL and 500L/SL automobiles.