Harmonic Balancer Defect Investigation by NHTSA
12-28-2003, 08:15 PM
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2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Harmonic Balancer Defect Investigation by NHTSA
FYI -
NHTSA Action Number : PE03058 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : MERCEDES BENZ Model: ML320
Manufacturer : MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Year : 2000
Component : ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Date Investigation Opened : December 17, 2003
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI HAS RECEIVED 35 REPORTS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH M112 OR M113 ENGINES. THE M112 SERIES IS MERCEDES-BENZ'S FIRST EVER PRODUCTION V6 ENGINE AND ITS MODULAR DESIGN ALLOWS IT TO SHARE MANY COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER, WITH THE M113 SERIES V8 ENGINES. THE M112 AND M113 ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY PROVIDES ACCESSORY POWER VIA A SERPENTINE BELT. THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
NHTSA Action Number : PE03058 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : MERCEDES BENZ Model: ML320
Manufacturer : MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Year : 2000
Component : ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Date Investigation Opened : December 17, 2003
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI HAS RECEIVED 35 REPORTS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH M112 OR M113 ENGINES. THE M112 SERIES IS MERCEDES-BENZ'S FIRST EVER PRODUCTION V6 ENGINE AND ITS MODULAR DESIGN ALLOWS IT TO SHARE MANY COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER, WITH THE M113 SERIES V8 ENGINES. THE M112 AND M113 ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY PROVIDES ACCESSORY POWER VIA A SERPENTINE BELT. THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
12-29-2003, 10:34 AM
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Originally posted by ML320CHROME20s
mine failed a month ago. tow cost alone was $200 and i guess the part and labor was $300 to fix.
mine failed a month ago. tow cost alone was $200 and i guess the part and labor was $300 to fix.
12-29-2003, 10:51 AM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
if there is a offical recall after their investigation, will folks who have had this problem repaired out of their own pocket before the recall be reimbursted?
-G-
-G-
12-29-2003, 02:40 PM
#5
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Yep mine made a weird sound and started leaking oil (slow)
and had it check before I drove it more. And it was the Harmonic balancer, $2000.
major ouch!
Yes you can get it reimburst from MB if the dealer does it. I had it done with my local garage here and now can't get a dime. Oh well.
major ouch!
Yes you can get it reimburst from MB if the dealer does it. I had it done with my local garage here and now can't get a dime. Oh well.
12-30-2003, 12:09 AM
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12-30-2003, 01:14 AM
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What's on the link?
Originally posted by Adobe
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?
Trending Topics
12-30-2003, 10:02 AM
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Sorry, try this one and check the first thread about the Crankcase Balancer prolems.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...une=&forumid=1
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...une=&forumid=1
12-30-2003, 11:02 PM
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2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Here's where to file your complaint if you haven't already http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Consumer.cfm 
12-30-2003, 11:26 PM
#10
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Re: Yep mine made a weird sound and started leaking oil (slow)
Originally posted by andaya
and had it check before I drove it more. And it was the Harmonic balancer, $2000.
major ouch!
Yes you can get it reimburst from MB if the dealer does it. I had it done with my local garage here and now can't get a dime. Oh well.
and had it check before I drove it more. And it was the Harmonic balancer, $2000.
major ouch!
Yes you can get it reimburst from MB if the dealer does it. I had it done with my local garage here and now can't get a dime. Oh well.
12-31-2003, 12:47 AM
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There was a time MBUSA wouldn't admit there was a problem and neither would dealers. I think that the complaints to the NHTSA are having a positive effect.
Everyone who has had a problem should file a complaint.
Everyone who has had a problem should file a complaint.
12-31-2003, 07:42 AM
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2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Originally posted by Adobe
There was a time MBUSA wouldn't admit there was a problem and neither would dealers.
There was a time MBUSA wouldn't admit there was a problem and neither would dealers.
04-16-2004, 05:15 PM
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'99 ML430
Just thought I would mention that today I got a call from someone at the NHTS doing follow-ups on complaints filed in regards to the faulty HARMONIC BALANCER.
He stated that there was a class action lawsuit being filed,but did not know the details or would not go into details.
Has anyone else been contacted?
How do you become part of the lawsuit?I would like to get a piece of them as well.
He stated that there was a class action lawsuit being filed,but did not know the details or would not go into details.
Has anyone else been contacted?
How do you become part of the lawsuit?I would like to get a piece of them as well.
04-16-2004, 05:19 PM
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'99 ML430
Just thought I would mention that today I got a call from someone at the NHTS doing follow-ups on complaints filed in regards to the faulty HARMONIC BALANCER.
He stated that there was a class action lawsuit being filed,but did not know the details or would not go into details.
Has anyone else been contacted?
How do you become part of the lawsuit?I would like to get a piece of them as well.
Oh by the way,they are very aware of the forums,so if you have complaints regarding safety issues,keep posting."BIG BROTHER" (NHTS ) does read these forums.
He stated that there was a class action lawsuit being filed,but did not know the details or would not go into details.
Has anyone else been contacted?
How do you become part of the lawsuit?I would like to get a piece of them as well.
Oh by the way,they are very aware of the forums,so if you have complaints regarding safety issues,keep posting."BIG BROTHER" (NHTS ) does read these forums.
04-27-2004, 08:27 AM
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2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Looks like Mercedes-Benz won this one, NO RECALL as of April 22, 2004 -
NHTSA Action Number : PE03058 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : MERCEDES BENZ Model: M CLASS
Manufacturer : MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Year : 2000
Component : ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Date Investigation Opened : December 17, 2003
Date Investigation Closed : April 22, 2004
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST. ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT. THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT). THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA Action Number : PE03058 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : MERCEDES BENZ Model: M CLASS
Manufacturer : MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Year : 2000
Component : ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Date Investigation Opened : December 17, 2003
Date Investigation Closed : April 22, 2004
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST. ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT. THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT). THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
