ABC hose failure

[FusionQue]

My 2002 CL 600 leaked hydraulic fluid like crazy, took to local Mercedes dealer to find out it is a hydraulic hose that requires the transmission to be dropped and the engine partially removed - or that's what they said. The quote was $4,700. Called Mercedes Corporate and the ABC recall work was already done on my car (previous owner) so nothing I could do about getting it fixed under the recall. Looking to get the part number so I can order myself and take to a local shop who works on European imports. Thanks, Dave 1989 300 SEL 2002 CL 600 2010 ML 350 2003 Harley Springer Softtail (I know, wrong forum )

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[BlownV8]

Call Mercedes corporate and tell them that you spoke to an NHTSA agent and they asked that you get the refusal sent to you in writing on their corporate letter head. Obviously, the original replacement part is defective too.

File a complaint with the NHTSA. It is a safety hazard. If the hose blows, it can spray the highly flammable hydraulic fluid on the exaust manifold and start a fire. The flash point is pretty low on the fluid.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

[BlownV8]

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...7V263-3583.pdf

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...7V263-6950.pdf

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...63&docType=RCL

[FusionQue]

Originally Posted by BlownV8

Call Mercedes corporate and tell them that you spoke to an NHTSA agent and they asked that you get the refusal sent to you in writing on their corporate letter head. Obviously, the original replacement part is defective too.

File a complaint with the NHTSA. It is a safety hazard. If the hose blows, it can spray the highly flammable hydraulic fluid on the exaust manifold and start a fire. The flash point is pretty low on the fluid.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Thanks! Corporate did assign a case manager who is supposed to contact me today. I'll be sure to discuss my plan to file a complaint of they don't take care of it under the recall. I'll also get a written refusal, that might get their attention. Great ideas BlownV8!

Dave

[BlownV8]

Originally Posted by FusionQue

Thanks! Corporate did assign a case manager who is supposed to contact me today. I'll be sure to discuss my plan to file a complaint of they don't take care of it under the recall. I'll also get a written refusal, that might get their attention. Great ideas BlownV8!

Dave

No, don't threaten to file a complaint. It won't do anything. If you do what I advised you to do, it will greatly increase the odds of them stepping up to the plate. If they think that the NHTSA is going to step back in a force a recall, they may be proactive and fix. Be the sqeeky wheel but be smart about it or you will lose.

[biker349]

keep us posted. i didn't have much luck when i contacted corp. on another matter.

[FusionQue]

I spoke with Corporate case manager today who simply rehashed the history (car is still broken) and established my "buying pattern" (I've bought 3 Mercedes from dealerships) and said he'd get back with me soon. I asked when the hoses had been fixed under the recall and he said 2004 - which, if I'm not wrong, was still included in the recall so I stated I thought they were replaced with the same defective hoses. He didn't have a reply other than "it's been 8 years".

I've not yet mentioned NHTSA because I've not got a final decision. Good advice from BlownV8 - play the cards close and I'll mention NHTSA when the time is right (asking for a negative decision on corporate letterhead if it comes to that) and not mention filing a complaint. Time will tell.

Cheers,
Dave

[BlownV8]

Originally Posted by FusionQue

I've not yet mentioned NHTSA because I've not got a final decision. Good advice from BlownV8 - play the cards close and I'll mention NHTSA when the time is right (asking for a negative decision on corporate letterhead if it comes to that) and not mention filing a complaint. Time will tell.

Cheers,
Dave

They are not going to budge unless they are scared that the NHTSA will force a new recall. You may have missed your chance to use the trump card. You may want to go ahead and get an NHTSA agent on the phone to discuss. Try to get the agent who initiated the first recall since they will be the most familiar with the issue.