Been getting a knocking sound from rear driver side. I thought it was a loose golf ball rolling around but after cleaning out the trunk I was still hearing the knocking sound. Finally got a chance to take the wheel off and take a look at suspension and I found this crack. I'm sure this is causing the knocking sound or has something to do with it. Is this even fixable? Time for a new car?

2010 e350. 161k

 

What country are you in?

 

 

You should have received a similar letter from Mercedes. It's always a good idea to register your car with www.mbusa.com

 

I probably got the letter but didn't remember. Thanks guys. I'll give dealership a call next week.

 

U.S.

 

That looks like the crack is in the car body. The warranty is for the sub-frame, which seems quite rusted too, but they probably do not warrant the body.

Fixable, I think so with a good body shop.

 

Pretty sure the crack is in the subframe. The body has the undercoating and the control arm and subframe attach to the body.

 

I think you are right so this is under the long (20 years?) warranty.

 

Should be, according to the letter.

 

It is a safety issue, MB is known for safety so they cover this.

 

I don't know if the extended warranty applies to Canada, but certainly in the US and UK (where the issue was fought for several years). I know it doesn't apply globally.

 

Interesting, I thought it always applied globally, that is something interesting to learn about today.

 

Reeeely!?!

I think Mercedes covers this because NHTSA told them to do it.

It is not strict recall as they are not calling car owners to bring them in , just as needed basis as obviously they don’t know which all cars have the bad steel.

 

The push for the extended warranty started in the UK. There was a guy named David Evans (dave@castellni.co.uk) who led an effort to get Mercedes of UK to admit there was a manufacturing defect in models during mostly the 2010s that led to subframe failure because of corrosion and deterioration. He posted mostly on SLKOWNERSCLUB.CO.UK. Folks in the US heard about it and began pressuring MBUSA and Mercedes corporate to include the US. I am not sure what other countries and markets are included.

You can read the story here: https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ex...#post-18282482

 

Ah, guess I was being too kind to MB.

 

Alright guess MB doesn't care about the safety of us unless they are held at gunpoint.

 

Forgot to answer your question, it doesn't seem to apply to Canada https://mbworld.org/forums/extended-...-warranty.html

 

Many manufacturers have made trade-off decisions based on the financial impact of making free repairs, reputational harm, etc., and have delayed or postponed things until it became too painful to NOT fix things. GM, Ford, Toyota, and Audi are just a few. Still, that doesn't make it OK.

I'm happy to have the extended warranty on both my cars, but not happy about the limited coverage for the Mars Red paint fiasco. But a paint problem is not the same as a structural problem.

 

Post #47 says it does.

https://mbworld.org/forums/extended-...ml#post8833034

 

I guess I shouldn't be lazy and do the full research instead of half or should I say quarter. I just read the OP and concluded it wasn't covered

 

But... It is a safety issue : ( MB should care.

In regards to the Mars Red paint issues, I heard and I do feel your pain.

 

There are many safety issues car makers make and do not care. At least MB does not have the front of the car hanging on the ball joints like many others. Seen many cars by the road where the ball joint failed and the wheel hub just collapsed under the car. This is very scary to be able to happen at all and just thinking what the end result would be if it happens in hwy speeds.

NHTSA should really take a look at this, and in my opinion, no car should be allowed to have suspension construction where the car "hangs" on the ball joints as obviously it is possible to make cars so that they don't.

 

I see, that is disappointing.

 

I got my car back from dealership earlier. Car spent about 2.5 days at the dealership. Process was pretty smooth. The service agent was nice about the whole thing. They had to replace 2 rear springs bc they cracked. They didn't charge me for the labor since the subframe was already being taken off. Cost for the 2 springs was about $380.

When I went to pick up my car the SA was saying he had two more guys come in over the last couple days with subframe replacement requests. Hahaha