melissa1984

My first and last mercedes. I would like to know if I could be in the . group with a faulty sway bar. Here is my vin...

WDBRF52H96A905313

Rudeney

I don't know about faulty "sway bars". The front anti-sway bar tends to get some noise from its bushings, but that's an easy fix - either replace the bushings or if they are glued to the bar, add some grease to quiet them.

As for this thread, your MY2006 definitely is in the range for potential "balance shaft" failure. All MY2006 V6's with the M272 engine (xx230, xx280, xx300, xx350) or V8's with the M273 (xx450, xx550) will be. It's only MY2007 that needs a check by VIN/engine serial number.

jwright

I just found out from my MB dealership that my 2006 e350 has the balance shaft issue. I have about 51K miles on the car. I see mention of some type of lawsuit. Can someone point me to a discussion of my options? I did call MB customer care and they offered to do nothing. The guy claimed that he could find no documented issues related to this. Really?

I appreciate anyone's input.

John

Rudeney

See this thread for a link to the latest developments in the class-action suit:

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...t-failure.html

Note that it's not 100% it's coverage. In your case, as long as your car is 10 years or less old (based on original owner delivery date) and less than 125K miles, it's covered at 37.5% of the dealer cost. I have heard of dealers quoting as much as $6,000 for this repair. However, in the suit, there is mention of "reasonable repair amount" being $4,000.

If you bought your car new from the dealer, and have used them for service all these years, then I'd contact them first and pursue a goodwill repair (don't mention the suit!). But if not, then at least it should cost you around $2500 and it is a permanent fix.

irfan_qayyum

To All Fellow Mercedes-Benz Owners with M272 & M273 Engines :
------------------------------------------------------------------------

For benefit of everyone I am attaching a PDF copy of the Proposed Settlement as well as the rights for the Owners of M272 & M273 engine
Mercedes vehicles with VIN no.s as mentioned in the proposed settlement agreement.

Additional details on the Settlement Lawsuit as well as Important Dates and Deadlines for claims can also be found at the following website:

https://eclaim.kccllc.net/caclaimforms/mse/home.aspx


Hope this information will help everyone.

Thanks,
-Irfan Qayyum
2007 E-350 4Matic w/ 65000 miles
.
================================

jwright

Thanks guys for the info. I am now much better educated on the settlement issues. This will be interesting to see how it works out for me. If you are interested, here is where I stand.

- I was unaware of any balance shaft issues since MB had an old address in their system for me
- Check engine light goes on. I purchase cheap OBD reader and see code P0017.
- Internet search shows possible expensive balance shaft issue. Oh no...
- Take car to dealership. Worst fears confirmed - balance shaft
- Repair quote from dealership - $7,800!
- I of course complain that this should not happen to car with 51K miles on it even if it is 10 years old (and all service done by MB on schedule)
- MB dealership graciously gives me 50% goodwill, cost would be $3,900.
- Still upset, I call MB customer care. They take my info and proclaim they are not aware of any such issues - will investigate
- MB calls back and says 50% goodwill from dealership is all that can be done
- Another internet search brings me to this forum and you provide links to that settlement website
- read settlement and realize that MB says $4,000 is the "reasonable repair amount"
- hmmm - that's suspicious
- Read more and realize if I have received any goodwill previously, I may not be eligible for reimbursement under the settlement
- Call MB customer care and point out my problem. I want to be charged $4,000 with no goodwill involved. I will then be eligible for 37.5% assistance - $3,900 w/goodwill and I get no reimbursement (I think)
- They take my info and will call back
- Call dealership and speak with my service rep. Explain problem. He understands problem and will speak with his manager
- Car is being repaired as I write this (necessary since my in service date is 7/7/05 (2006 model). I need repair done before 10 yr limit or no deal

At least in the meantime I have a loner C300 to drive and it's really cool...

I will update as my saga continues...

John

Rudeney

So you are paying $3900? Just keep all the paperwork and file a claim under the class action. Even though you supposedly received goodwill coverage, you still may be able to argue that they owe you 37.5% of that $3900 based on their "reasonable" figure.

jwright

Just an update. MB customer care said the price I pay for the repair is between me and the dealership. They declined to do anything. I'm still waiting on the dealership to reply. Apparently they are still working on the car. I know this because the C300 loner I was driving developed some type of problem. Various warnings flashed and then the car began to overheat. It told me to pull over and turn off the engine. I limped home and then back to the office today. The dealership came out and swapped vehicles with me. I have another C300 now. I hope it can make it through a few days without breaking down.

Needless to say I am not very high on Mercedes lately. I will be test driving a couple BMWs and a Honda on Friday...

John

nelson_j

Hi I'm looking at a 2007 C230 vin#WDBRF52H37F929448 can anyone help with the engine number to see if this is in the range of questionable balance shaft issues? Thanks, Nelson

Rudeney

That one has M272 engine #595394 - it's beyond the balance shaft problem range.

jwright

My story added more twists since my last post, but it's now over as of today (hopefully). To my benefit, my service advisor left on vacation for a week (without telling me). A manager was assigned to help me and he straightened out the misinformation that had been provided to me.

Apparently, when MBUSA agreed to provide me 50% goodwill it was based on THEIR cost, not the inflated ridiculous dealer quote of $7,800. So I paid about $500 for parts and $1,850 for labor which came to $2,350. So I assume MBUSA's reasonable cost here is $4,700 when the service is provided by a MB dealer.

This is a little less than I would have paid based on the settlement's reasonable repair cost of $4,000 with 37.5% assistance from MBUSA. I would have paid around $2,500.

But in the end I still paid $2,350 to repair a manufacturing defect. I know my car was well out of warranty, but this should not have happened to a very low mileage car. If you claim "the best or nothing", your customers expect it.

John

nelson_j

Thank you so much!

Rudeney

John, glad to hear it's fixed and you did not pay full price. The good news is that the fix is permanent and the M272/M273 engines with good sprockets are proving to be very reliable.

caryhenry

I'm going to look at a 2008 R350 tomorrow afternoon. VIN: 4JGCB56E98A067513. Can someone tell me if this vehicle is in the affected range for the camshaft issue?

Rudeney

No worries with a MY2008 - the problem was discovered and corrected about halfway during the MY2007 build. That's the only year than needs a VIN check.

Funtogun

Can I get a check on a 2007 C230?

WDBRF52H97F912850

Tank you so much for the help here.

Funtogun

Rudeney

M272 engine #562349 - beyond the balance shaft problem range.

ca12bon

Hi, I tried checking using some online tools without success, I had to buy the car because it was in such pristine condition.

Can you check the VIN for me please?

WDBTJ56H55F173097

Thank you.

Rudeney

You actually have a MY2006 CLK350 - there was no "350" for MY2005. The car was delivered to the original owner in 2005, though, whcih is coommon for cars - the new model year usually comes out in the late summer of the preceding calendar year.

Anyhow, you have M272 engine #123397, which, as expected for a MY2006, is in the range for potential balance shaft failure. Keep in mind that failures are actually rare - this doesn't even show as a blip with review sites like Consumer Reports and Edmunds.

ca12bon

Thanks, very much appreciated!

themvols

Will you advise if VIN WDBTK65G45T036889 Is within this range? Thanks.

RoseMS

Hello, Would you please let me know if this VIN is affected? WDBRF56H26F752562. Thank you so much!

Rudeney

That's a CLK320, which has an M112 engine, so no worries there. Only M272 and M273 engines are at issue.

Rudeney

Yes, all MY2006's with the M272 or M273 will be in the range for potential balance shaft failure.

tasabbath

Can someone please check my vin and let me know if my car is in the affected range. I have. 2007 R Class 350
4JGCB65EX7A038981