Instrument Cluster Recall - S Class
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Clusterf*ck
All owners of W220 and C215 cars were supposed to get that letter. They came with stickers to attach to your warranty book:
At the time, I thought that was typical German overkill. The dealers would surely know all 220 and 215 instrument clusters had a 10-year warranty. Never underestimate the ability of a car dealer to screw up.
At the time, I thought that was typical German overkill. The dealers would surely know all 220 and 215 instrument clusters had a 10-year warranty. Never underestimate the ability of a car dealer to screw up.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
You should have a booklet called "Service and Warranty Information" with your owners manual. You peel off the sticker from the letter and attach it to the inside back cover of that booklet. It matches the fonts, colors, and layout perfectly (at least for the '06 version of the booklet). It even has the green header ("Service and Warranty") on the right-hand side as it should be on the back page of the booklet. Typical German OCD.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
The Cluster Recall
I have a 2000 CL500.
I received a recall letter for the cluster a couple years ago.
Seem to remember that after looking up the serial number range
on the recall my serial number was NOT in the range.
So yes. MBZ did send out recall letters,
At least to us CL guys in the database.
I think I remember putting a copy of it in my car folder at work.
If anyone needs a copy.
I received a recall letter for the cluster a couple years ago.
Seem to remember that after looking up the serial number range
on the recall my serial number was NOT in the range.
So yes. MBZ did send out recall letters,
At least to us CL guys in the database.
I think I remember putting a copy of it in my car folder at work.
If anyone needs a copy.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Lymington Hampshire UK
E220cdi Estate Avantgarde March 2008
Reason is we do not have the ten year guarantee in the UK and this would be very helpful ammunition. Hands across the sea?
Great if Whoover could do the same. Thanks if you can.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Summary
In the US, any failing cluster on a W220 or C215 car will be fixed within ten years of original delivery, regardless of mileage.
If it's in the VIN range, it should have been replaced via recall whether it failed or not. But it doesn't really matter. If yours fails, MB will replace it for free via recall if it's in VIN range or replace it for free on the extended warranty if it's not. It matters not to you; the dealer just charges MB for it differently.
Why this complexity? And why is this US only? You can thank the gummint. They declared it a safety issue and told MB to recall the affected cars. When it became clear MB didn't have a clue what cars were affected (too many failures of supposedly unaffected vehicles) they struck the compromise: don't make us recall them all and we'll fix them as they fail.
As to why our laissez-faire administration hasn't managed to do away with NHTSA by now, or why all you socialists Europeans haven't managed to get some consumer protection with teeth by now, I don't have a clue.
If it's in the VIN range, it should have been replaced via recall whether it failed or not. But it doesn't really matter. If yours fails, MB will replace it for free via recall if it's in VIN range or replace it for free on the extended warranty if it's not. It matters not to you; the dealer just charges MB for it differently.
Why this complexity? And why is this US only? You can thank the gummint. They declared it a safety issue and told MB to recall the affected cars. When it became clear MB didn't have a clue what cars were affected (too many failures of supposedly unaffected vehicles) they struck the compromise: don't make us recall them all and we'll fix them as they fail.
As to why our laissez-faire administration hasn't managed to do away with NHTSA by now, or why all you socialists Europeans haven't managed to get some consumer protection with teeth by now, I don't have a clue.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence, KS (USA)
S500/W220/2000
Please, please, please can you find a way to redo this a bit clearer. I cannot read it. No chance of scanning in WORD?? Or better picture??
Reason is we do not have the ten year guarantee in the UK and this would be very helpful ammunition. Hands across the sea?
Great if Whoover could do the same. Thanks if you can.
Reason is we do not have the ten year guarantee in the UK and this would be very helpful ammunition. Hands across the sea?
Great if Whoover could do the same. Thanks if you can.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Lymington Hampshire UK
E220cdi Estate Avantgarde March 2008
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I tried copying and pasting but this site will not allow that. At least I can't figure out how to do it, so I scanned it and tried to post it full-bits, but again this site would not accept it. So I had to reduce the size of the file which only renders as it is above. Maybe someone else can find a way to do it, but right now I have to say this forum is one of the very worst when it comes to pasting or uploading a file. It sucks! So sorry.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Lymington Hampshire UK
E220cdi Estate Avantgarde March 2008
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,155
Likes: 20
From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
Thanks to Sean that give me the link to this post. He save me $6100 !!!!!!! This is what happen to me..................
I have a 2001 CL 55 with 69K miles. 4 days ago, while driving home from work at 1 am in the morning. All the sudden, my instrument cluster completely went out. I couldn't see anything and have no clue how fast I was going. I pulled off the road and try to restart the engine but there's still no light on the instrument cluster. The next day, I found that the fuse was bad. Installed a new fuse but still no light on the cluster. My friend then told me that Mercedes has a recalls for this problems on the S class and CL class. He gave the link......................................
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...callsearch.cfm and sure enough, it was true !!!! All 2000 - 2002 and 2003 - 2005 CL is being recall for the "instrument cluster". Throught the link, I also discovered that the ABC high pressure hose was also recalls on my car.
2 days later, I brought my car in to the dealer for the 2 recalls. My service write-up then check the recalls data and to my surprised, he told me that my car VIN# does not apply to the "Instrument cluster" recall. He said that NA Mercedes told him that not all CL is being recall. To fix the problem, it would cost me $6100.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So today, I filed a complains with the "NHTSA" and told them that Mercedes did not honor the recalls. I also called NA Mercedes customer service and filed my complains that it SHOULDN'T matter what months/years my car was built. Since my car has the EXACT problems that was being described in the recalls and so the recall should apply to my car. To my surprised, she told me that my instrument cluster should be replace under "Manufacture extended warranty" but she did not mention anything warranty under the recall. She was very nice and told me that she'll take care this problem for me. And so she did, about 1 hr. later, the director and service man from the dealer called me and told me that everything will be fix at no charges. Right now, I'm so happy (but my fingers still crossed though until I pick up my car) that I don't have to write a check for
$6100 !!!!!!!
So now I wonder, who drop the ball, NA Mercedes or the dealer? Based on this post, alot of the S class owners has been denied of warranty on the "Instrument cluster". They all got the same responses when call NA Mercedes customers service "your car VIN# does not apply for the recall". Btw, if any of you have these same problems with your CL or S class, don't let the dealer run you around, just call Jenny at NA Mercedes. The NA Mercedes customer service phone number is 800-367-6372 and Jenny ext. 7843.
__________________
I have a 2001 CL 55 with 69K miles. 4 days ago, while driving home from work at 1 am in the morning. All the sudden, my instrument cluster completely went out. I couldn't see anything and have no clue how fast I was going. I pulled off the road and try to restart the engine but there's still no light on the instrument cluster. The next day, I found that the fuse was bad. Installed a new fuse but still no light on the cluster. My friend then told me that Mercedes has a recalls for this problems on the S class and CL class. He gave the link......................................
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...callsearch.cfm and sure enough, it was true !!!! All 2000 - 2002 and 2003 - 2005 CL is being recall for the "instrument cluster". Throught the link, I also discovered that the ABC high pressure hose was also recalls on my car.
2 days later, I brought my car in to the dealer for the 2 recalls. My service write-up then check the recalls data and to my surprised, he told me that my car VIN# does not apply to the "Instrument cluster" recall. He said that NA Mercedes told him that not all CL is being recall. To fix the problem, it would cost me $6100.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So today, I filed a complains with the "NHTSA" and told them that Mercedes did not honor the recalls. I also called NA Mercedes customer service and filed my complains that it SHOULDN'T matter what months/years my car was built. Since my car has the EXACT problems that was being described in the recalls and so the recall should apply to my car. To my surprised, she told me that my instrument cluster should be replace under "Manufacture extended warranty" but she did not mention anything warranty under the recall. She was very nice and told me that she'll take care this problem for me. And so she did, about 1 hr. later, the director and service man from the dealer called me and told me that everything will be fix at no charges. Right now, I'm so happy (but my fingers still crossed though until I pick up my car) that I don't have to write a check for
$6100 !!!!!!!
So now I wonder, who drop the ball, NA Mercedes or the dealer? Based on this post, alot of the S class owners has been denied of warranty on the "Instrument cluster". They all got the same responses when call NA Mercedes customers service "your car VIN# does not apply for the recall". Btw, if any of you have these same problems with your CL or S class, don't let the dealer run you around, just call Jenny at NA Mercedes. The NA Mercedes customer service phone number is 800-367-6372 and Jenny ext. 7843.
__________________
Frickin' dealers are weird? there supposed to get paid great for warranty work?? I think in this caes it's a defective recall since there covering such a broad spectrum to the tune of 10 years!Please update the ending to your cluster work/repair did they do all a spromised?
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
S500
Back on thursday morning I went start my car, and the guages did not light up, only the needles. Everything stayed at 0. I only live 2 mins from dealer, so i took it there and showed the Service manager. He tried hitting reset a couple of times, and nothing came on. He restarted the car, and still nothing. So he told me to come in on Sat so they could give me a loaner and diagnose and order me a new instrument cluster
Later that day the gauges came back on
They worked ever since...so i thought o great. Took in yesterday and the other service mgr said, well, if its not doing it, we might not be able to do anything...so i told him what the other service mgr said and he said we will see.
Well, luckily, when they diagnosed the car, they said there was an error code and that they will order me a new instrument cluster They said they were also checking to see if there is anythinge else wrong too. So hopefully on Tuesday my car will be back to new again.
Anyone know how long this new cluster is warrantied for?
Later that day the gauges came back on
They worked ever since...so i thought o great. Took in yesterday and the other service mgr said, well, if its not doing it, we might not be able to do anything...so i told him what the other service mgr said and he said we will see.Well, luckily, when they diagnosed the car, they said there was an error code and that they will order me a new instrument cluster
They said they were also checking to see if there is anythinge else wrong too. So hopefully on Tuesday my car will be back to new again.Anyone know how long this new cluster is warrantied for?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence, KS (USA)
S500/W220/2000
Back on thursday morning I went start my car, and the guages did not light up, only the needles. Everything stayed at 0. I only live 2 mins from dealer, so i took it there and showed the Service manager. He tried hitting reset a couple of times, and nothing came on. He restarted the car, and still nothing. So he told me to come in on Sat so they could give me a loaner and diagnose and order me a new instrument cluster
Later that day the gauges came back on They worked ever since...so i thought o great. Took in yesterday and the other service mgr said, well, if its not doing it, we might not be able to do anything...so i told him what the other service mgr said and he said we will see.
Well, luckily, when they diagnosed the car, they said there was an error code and that they will order me a new instrument cluster They said they were also checking to see if there is anythinge else wrong too. So hopefully on Tuesday my car will be back to new again.
Anyone know how long this new cluster is warrantied for?
Later that day the gauges came back on
They worked ever since...so i thought o great. Took in yesterday and the other service mgr said, well, if its not doing it, we might not be able to do anything...so i told him what the other service mgr said and he said we will see.Well, luckily, when they diagnosed the car, they said there was an error code and that they will order me a new instrument cluster
They said they were also checking to see if there is anythinge else wrong too. So hopefully on Tuesday my car will be back to new again.Anyone know how long this new cluster is warrantied for?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Since MB has already extended our warranty on the clusters to ten years, I would guess that is what the new cluster's warranty will be--ten years from your car's build date. BTW: I've read of some strange things w/ the new cluster. Be sure to check it out before leaving the dealer's. I've heard that some of the functions do not work or work differently on the new ones. Can't recall all the specifics, but I remember thinking I hope mine doesn't go out because I would not be happy w/ some of the changes. Please report back and let us know what the warranty is and how the new cluster works.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Lymington Hampshire UK
E220cdi Estate Avantgarde March 2008
Since MB has already extended our warranty on the clusters to ten years, I would guess that is what the new cluster's warranty will be--ten years from your car's build date. BTW: I've read of some strange things w/ the new cluster. Be sure to check it out before leaving the dealer's. I've heard that some of the functions do not work or work differently on the new ones. Can't recall all the specifics, but I remember thinking I hope mine doesn't go out because I would not be happy w/ some of the changes. Please report back and let us know what the warranty is and how the new cluster works.
Jayhawk, please can you try to remember where you saw the problems with the replacement Clusters?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence, KS (USA)
S500/W220/2000
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
2000 S500v, 2010 GL450, 2012 S63
Many Thanks!
While driving my S500 yesterday...poof...blackness on the cluster. We've owned this beauty for less than a month. We went into the office for a few hours, came out and it worked again. First thing when I came home, I logged in, did a search and found this thread. How awesome. I was able to wade through the recall info. My VIN doesnt apply, then the warranty info, which of course does cover me. Thanks guys. Appreciate your leg work and expertise.
One minor off topic Q: what does the v stand for in S500v?
R
One minor off topic Q: what does the v stand for in S500v?
R
