ima55r2

Since just getting a GL320, I thought I would post this. I don’t know much history about this model or diesels in general, but its something to get taken care of.

From Autoblog:

Mercedes sold over twelve-thousand diesel-powered vehicles in the US last year, but a crankshaft issue is sending 9,004 units back to the dealer for repair. NHTSA says the problem lies in a crankshaft sensor that can fail, which causes the engine to lose power and makes you the "disabled vehicle" the traffic reporter on the radio warns your fellow commuters about. That won't do. The recall affects 2007 E320 Bluetec, ML320 CDI, and GL320 CDI models. Since the sensor defect could leave drivers stranded, we're going to go ahead and recommend that you get this one fixed right away. We're still bullish on diesel, however, because high fuel economy and gobs of torque are a wonderful combo.

http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/

stonecliff

Thanks for the heads up. Surprised there hasn't been much mention of this problem on this site, given the advance notice we all saw last year with the intercooler problem.

Looks like all of us are affected. Attached is the memo sent to MB dealers in December (from the NHTSA website). We should get notices in February.

ima55r2

Yea, it looks we're all in this together. I was kind of surprised too when no specific crankshaft search items came up here or even on the R, M, or the diesel forums except for a couple of limp mode mentions. It sounds like its been going on for some time if the recall is now official.

infamily

Thanks for the memo copy. I am calling my dealer tomorrow.

HoustonRider

so far it looks like its 07 MY only... never hurts to ask though... I'm gonna wait and see if I get a letter.

Nevada Jack

I agree with you HR...it specifically says MY 2007 engines. I am pretty sure this problem has been corrected in later models and will not apply to 2008 models.

gawdfatha

Yesterday, I took my ML320 CDI in for the A service and asked the tech whether there were any pending recall campaigns or updates that it might need -- he said no. Guess that the dealers are keeping all of us in the dark until we get stuck on the side of the road, or MBUSA mails out notice.

I had a 1998 E320 wagon for 7 years, and the only time it left me stranded (twice) was when the crankshaft sensor failed. Deja vu all over again.

gawdfatha
Houston, TX
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 GL 450

StevethePilot

I think you might find the dealers are as in the dark as the owners are. They generally won't get the notice until such time as the recall is actually in effect. I've had a call in to my SR for two days now which has been unreturned. Knowing him either he's researching it or started to, couldn't find anything and just hasn't taken the time to call me yet.

RE your E320; 1998 wasn't a good year for MBs.

STP

StevethePilot

I got my crankshaft recall notice in the mail and they're doing it today. Has anyone had any failures with it, here on the forum (or know of someone who has)?

STP

carpersn

I got my notice this two days ago, the dealer was totally willing to fit me in yesterday with loaner. Also, when my dad had his ML320 in last week, he had NOT gotten the notice, but it was done as part of the service while vehicle was there. I would say your level of dealer "pro-activeness" depends on your individual dealer, and luckily, mine rocks!

So far, i have not heard of anyone being stranded-i figured since both my hoses blew last year, it would happen to me if anyone, so i got it fixed ASAP

StevethePilot

Good dealer! My guy said he'd not heard of anyone affected by the defect but he had had about 4 other people in.

mbslk350

I had the GL in the shop today for an oil change and a couple of warranty items, including the tailgate closure problem. I asked them to fix the crankshaft sensor per the recall. (I did not receive a recall letter in the mail, but asked them to check anyway.) They looked up my VIN and said that mine wasn't covered by the recall.

My GL320 was built at the very end of the 2007 production run. Build date was June 30, 2007 and they switched to 2008 production the following week. This tells me two things: 1) Not all 2007's have the problem. 2) It's likely that 2008's don't have the problem either, because it was fixed prior to 2008 production.

Danno4x4

Ditto on what he said... my VIN checked out as "A OKAY" for a May 23rd, 2007 build date.

Greul

Thats good to know that 2008 isn't affected, at least not yet...lets keep our fingers crossed.

carpersn

I had a January 16, 07 build date, and did have the recall (no breakdown), if that helps narrow down...

infamily

Ours is July 2007 build and as per our dealer, our car was not affected. We did not get a letter from MB either.

stonecliff

May 16, 2007 build date, and MB has confirmed no recall for our GL320.