# 2003 MERCEDES BENZ 230 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
> **FATAL** · NHTSA complaint `842910` · 2011-02-18 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 1
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MERCEDES BENZ
- **Model:** 230
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
- **Component:** LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- **Miles at failure:** 30,000
## Narrative
MERCEDES 230 C KOMPRESSOR.  LIFTED HOOD AFTER 'CHECK ENGINE' LIT UP.  AS HOOD WAS BEING LIFTED THE SPRING LOADED PASSENGER SIDE HOOD LATCH RELEASE FLEW OUT WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE - STRIKING NOSE AND EYEGLASSES - DROPPED HOOD INSTANTLY - YANKING RIGHT SHOULDER CAUSING INJURY REQUIRING ONGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT ALONG WITH PERMANENT SCAR ON NOSE.  MERCEDES INSPECTED PART BUT NEVER PROVIDED ;TECHNICAL REPORT REGARDING DEFECTIVE PART WHICH UTILIZED PLASTIC INSERT.  *LN
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*