C104matic

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and own a 2010 C300 4Matic. I'm posting here in hopes that others will read this who have had similar mechanical issues with their cars and take a few minutes to file a complaint with NHTSA. The goal here is to have enough people with issues to actually take the time to file a official complaint that might lead NHTSA to force Mercedes Benz to issue a recall of the vehicles. I believe this issue affects mostly the W204, 2008-current models, but it's possible other generations might be affected as well.

Last week the belt tensioner on my vehicle seized up causing the serpentine belt to shred, as well as causing damage to the upper and lower pulleys. The vehicle has about 73,000 miles on it. After doing some quick search online, it seems that this is not an isolated issue, but rather a widespread issue with this vehicle. I've read some owners have had this failure with as little as 15,000 miles and so forth. Obviously mine is out of warranty and got stuck with the bill. The average repair cost for this issue in the northern NJ area is running around $650-$850 at the dealer.

Whether your vehicle was repaired under warranty or you had to pay out of pocket for this repair, please take the five minutes to file a complaint with NHTSA. This is the only way to have MB to issue a recall. And if you think it's a waste of time to file a complaint, take a look at the latest recall for tail lights on the C Class. It was issued because there have been several dozen complaints with NHTSA, thus forcing a recall of the C Class for tail lights.

I was very lucky that the belt tensioner seized up after I pulled into a parking lot. If this had happened when I was driving on the highway, there is no doubt that it would have caused a very serious accident (since you lose power steering amongst other accessories as well).

When I spoke with Mercedes Benz customer service, they said they are not aware of any "known" issues and there is nothing they can do about it, but the forums online speak otherwise.

Please go here to file a complaint (have your VIN number ready as it is VIN specific):

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml

louiet3

Had mine replaced 10/2013 @ 62K miles by an indy shop for $688. Filed the complaint to see where this goes, the worst is status quo.

codeblue5007

My belt tensioner and several pulleys and 2 belts had to be replaced at 62,000 miles. It took two stays in the shop to replace pulleys and the belt that did not seem to have a problem at first, but we're slightly out of alignment and caused an annoying chirping sound at idle. Total about $700 not to mention the hassle.

lemonstand

Submitted a complaint.
2012 c250 sport 44k miles
Camshaft intake adjuster replaced.
Thermostat seals replaced.
Chain tensioner replaced.
Stayed in the shop for 2 weeks under warranty.

Shimee

Filed a complaint. I'm hearing a metallic warbling coming from the front of the engine which I suspect is this tensioner.

saldarriagany

YEAUP I had this very same issue bout 2 years ago at around 60k miles. I was driving while this happen, very very very dangerous. about $500-$700 for that incident alone. I deff will be making a complaint. godlike everyone

chazzz

Does that apply on C350's M272 engine? I have 61k on it.

C104matic

If you had this issue as well, might be a good idea to file a complaint too. The more complaints the government receives, the better our chances of getting it recalled and getting reimbursed. You never know.

boom132

Not surprising that MB Customer service had no clue... they had no clue with my transmission TC plug nor with the burning up of tail lights in the rear... oh, but guess what... recalls on tail lights, and the C300's DO have a TC drain plug. Go figure!


I'll sign up... but good luck.

StrelingA

damn this the first i heard of the belt tensioner, my idler pulley was on its way out. so i bought the genuine MB kit from ECS TUNING. that was at 69,500

justaguy

09 C300 .. Belt got shredded at about 68K.....now at 77K I can hear some noise from one of the pulleys or tensioner , especially when it's freezing outside . The belt that was installed still looks like new .

StrelingA

Its the idler pulley jus buy the whole kit. This wat i bought and i dnt have dat problem no more
http://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_Benz-2008-C350-204.056-Sport-Sedan-V6_3.5L_272.961/Engine/Drive_Belts/ES2718484/