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So, just got a letter from MB Canada stating there's a defect on my cylinder head. This sounds like the same issue a few folks have had with error code. To note, I had my check engine light come on once but it went away. I didn't do a thing about it. My engine does sound funny, like there's a drummer with a high pitched snare living in the engine bay. Anyway, I'm hearing this takes either 3 days to 2 months of repair time. So sad, it's a new car and already the engine has issues.
Anyone else get this letter? Scanned below:
"Warranty Extension: M260 Cylinder Head
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that a defect which relates to a prescribed emission standard exists in certain Model Year 2019-2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, CLA, GLA, GLB vehicles. Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. has therefore initiated a voluntary warranty extension related to the M260 cylinder head on these vehicles. Our records indicate that your vehicle is included in the affected population.
What is the concern? Mercedes-Benz Group AG has determined that on certain vehicles with M260 4-cylinder gasoline engines, the tightness of the exhaust valves might be impaired in individual cases due to increased wear on the exhaust valve seat rings and valve guides. Based on engineering analysis, advanced wear may cause insufficiently sealed combustion chambers and, as a consequence, thermodynamic imbalances, which would cause the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) to illuminate, additionally, the customer might notice a rough engine running. In the event of progressive mechanical damage (e.g. if the customer does not perceive the rough engine running and/or ignores the MIL), as a consequence stronger thermodynamic disturbances and misfires may occur. These would be correctly detected as misfires by the OBD system and the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) would illuminate (1-trip MIL). As a result, emission values might increase and relevant emission standards might be exceeded. The defect described above has no impact on safety. In case of the described issue, the driver might notice a rough engine running and the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) would illuminate. Owners who notice any of the above described warnings should contact their nearest Mercedes-Benz dealership immediately to have the vehicle inspected. There are no specific precautions to be taken with respect to the subject issue until the corrective measures are implemented.
What will your dealer do? The standard warranty for the physical part, the cylinder head itself, will be extended for all affected vehicles to a period of 15 years/ 24 1,000 km full useful life (FUL). Within the extended warranty period, the repair measures will be performed free of charge for affected vehicle owners.
Extended warrantv - 15 years or 241,000 km
Component - Cylinder Head
What should you do? If your vehicle displays any of the aforementioned symptoms, we kindly ask that you contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information In the event that you are no longer the vehicle owner, or have had a change of address, please contact Mercedes-Benz Canada via email at cs.can@cac.mercedes-benz.com. If this is a leased vehicle and you are the Lessor, you must send a copy of this notice and any subsequent notice to the Lessee within 10 working days after the day on which this notice is received.
Should you have any additional questions or concerns after contacting your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, please contact Customer Assistance at cs.can@cac.mercedes-benz.com.
I purchased extended manufacturer warranties for our last 4 vehicles. With cars getting more and more electronic systems, I don’t feel comfortable keeping a car for 6 years without a warranty protection. With a little research you can usually negotiate a price down for EMW at the time of purchase.
I purchased extended manufacturer warranties for our last 4 vehicles. With cars getting more and more electronic systems, I don’t feel comfortable keeping a car for 6 years without a warranty protection. With a little research you can usually negotiate a price down for EMW at the time of purchase.
I just got a warranty addendum from MB USA. It says that it is for extending warranty exhaust valve assembly for 15 years / 150,000 miles.
When I looked at the location of the exhaust valve, it is with the engine as part 6 shown below, so it looks like it is related to the cylinder head problem as stated in detail in Canadian warranty extension above:
Not very specific “exhaust valve assembly.” No specific fault codes or parts. Definitely doesn’t say cylinder head and that was what was replaced on my GLB M260 engine. When I get the chance, I’ll ask my service advisor.
Interesting enough, similar Exhaust Valve Assembly extended warranty letter went out for 2011-2016 various MB models including GL, GLE and other MB vehicles.
There is a difference between a recall and an extended warranty. If it's a warranty item that means it has to break before they will fix it. Unlike a recall.
Not very specific “exhaust valve assembly.” No specific fault codes or parts. Definitely doesn’t say cylinder head and that was what was replaced on my GLB M260 engine. When I get the chance, I’ll ask my service advisor.
I was skeptical as well. Nothing mentioned about the head and when I first read it, I thought it was something near the rear of the car when it mentioned exhaust seal. It would be nice to get some clarification.
If referred to GLB thread “Warranty Repair- Cylinder Head”, a Canadian version of the warranty letter began that voluntary warranty extension related to cylinder head, and than went to say that tightness of exhaust valves might be impaired due to increased wear on the exhaust valve seat rings and guides.
It makes me believe that it is the same cylinder head issue.
Not very specific “exhaust valve assembly.” No specific fault codes or parts. Definitely doesn’t say cylinder head and that was what was replaced on my GLB M260 engine. When I get the chance, I’ll ask my service advisor.
Has anyone heard or seen confirmation on this? Our vehicle has Extended Warranty on Fuel Hose and Exhaust Valve Assembly but it states "does not apply to any other components." If this has caused damage to the cylinder head, will we be required to pay for that?
Yes. It clarifies that MBUSA is not covering the P219A-B-C-D failures which are the ones that are associated with most of the early failures and the subject of many posts across multiple platforms where the M260/M264 engine family is used. Therefore, if a P219(x) failure lights the CEL at 50,001 miles, you are responsible for the $15k-$20k repair.
"Ok so I got my car back. 100% covered under lengthened warranty due to so many ppl having cylinder issues. They claim they found what was the problem & have resolved it within the cylinder. Hoping this is correct. They couldn’t believe my car got 70k miles with this defective cylinder."
P219C - Cylinder 1 fuel/air imbalance: This could be due to a variety of factors, such as a misfire, a leak in the induction system, or an incorrect air/fuel ratio. There are a few things that you can do to try to correct the imbalance. First, make sure that all of the cylinders are firing correctly and that there is no leakage in the induction system. per https://dot.report/dtc/P219C P0300 - Multiple Cylinder misfire
Originally Posted by Odd Piggy
Yes. It clarifies that MBUSA is not covering the P219A-B-C-D failures which are the ones that are associated with most of the early failures and the subject of many posts across multiple platforms where the M260/M264 engine family is used. Therefore, if a P219(x) failure lights the CEL at 50,001 miles, you are responsible for the $15k-$20k repair.
Thanks for the link. But I didn’t see the diagnostic codes listed.
P219C was the only DTC my GLB exhibited. There where no misfire codes or any of the others listed in the News Channel Update. It was covered by the original warranty since it occurred at 27,800 miles. But the remedy was a complete cylinder head replacement, not correction of misfires or leaks in the induction system. For the purposes of this failure, the DOT Report is useless.
I have spoken at length with my service advisor and service manager about this and they both say that my failure would not have been covered by MBUSA under the extended warranty because it did not show the needed codes. But they assure me, for what it’s worth, that the failure will not repeat with the new head.
I just got a warranty addendum from MB USA. It says that it is for extending warranty exhaust valve assembly for 15 years / 150,000 miles.
[snip] it looks like it is related to the cylinder head problem as stated in detail in Canadian warranty extension above
Is this really for the cylinder head issue, though? The US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration site has this letter, which is a bit more detailed, and it says it only applies to cars with V8 engines from model years 2011, 2012, and 2013: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...33794-0001.pdf
I can't find anything on the nhtsa.gov site covering more recent Mercedes cars with the M260 engine.
EDIT: I see someone else did post a more relevant nhtsa.gov link.
Last edited by Ray Cole; Feb 12, 2024 at 06:06 PM.
Is this really for the cylinder head issue, though? The US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration site has this letter, which is a bit more detailed, and it says it only applies to cars with V8 engines from model years 2011, 2012, and 2013: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...33794-0001.pdf
I can't find anything on the nhtsa.gov site covering more recent Mercedes cars with the M260 engine.
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