While using the cup holder on my 2004 mercedez benz clk vin [xxx] coffee spilled and caused the radio and a/c unit to malfunction. this resulted in almost $2,000 in repair costs. the cup holder in the vehicle is placed directly above the radio and a/c controls. i know that mercedes had problems in the past with the slk models with spills causing the electronic transmission to short out. based on the design of the cup holder is would be impossible to prevent spilling when faced with a sudden stop or a hole in the road. i requested the repair to be covered by mercedes benz but they refused to honor my request. since the design is so flawed, and the damage to electonic equipment so foreseeable it is wrong to do this to consumers. *nm updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)