chibenz

I just received this notice in the mail from UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA as follows.

" A nationwide settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against mercedes benz usa, llc. The lawsuit alleges that the REED valve in the air/water duct in 2001-2006 model year mercedes benz S-class(w220) and cl-class (w215) vehicles is susceptible to clogging by leaves , pine needles and other debris, which can cause water to accumulate in the air/water duct and to overflow into the passenger compartment, possibly resulting in damage to electrical and other components."

Also included a claim form for Reimbursement for out of pocket expenses due to water damage caused by a clogged reed valve.

Keep us updated whoever file a claim and the outcome

AMGTTV8

Keep you up to date on what?? Did you read what you quoted in your post???

A SETTLEMENT WAS MADE

cameraman123

Really? Whats the news on this? I've never heard of any settlement but im intrigued! lol

chibenz

Wish you could have come up with something better.Use little common sense why would i ask for update when there is already a settlement, what i was asking if anyone file a claim and get REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIRS.

chibenz

They also have a website for details.

www.reedvalvesettlement.com

There is hope for those whose vehicles has been damaged by this problem. I hope they take responsibility and address the issue or be another TOYOTA.

cameraman123

Speaking of which:

www.ismytoyotasafe.com

Im a website entrepreneur on the side... hehe

Skylaw

Thanks for posting the info, chibenz.

And yes, while there was a settlement, it must still clear some small hurdles before being final - the "fairness hearing." However, that should not be a big obstacle - mainly lets folks who don't think it's enough sound off.

It will be good to see some feedback from folks who were out money to replace SAN units. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...ll-rain-2.html for just one of many writeups regarding this problem (and also how to prevent it yourself - better that than the grief).

I bought my first S500 8 years ago - preowned - and had the A/C intake flood completely 2 days after (it started raining the day I bought it, and didn't stop for 2 days). Fortunately, it didn't come into the pax compartment or get the SAMs. Problem was a pinched reed valve from some work done for the prior owner.

chibenz

Thanks Skylaw, hope it will bring little comfort to all those whose cars got damaged by this and they get reimbursed for all thier loss.

MRAMG1

Ah guys you still can get money on this. As the paperwork I have in my hands lists several options:

1.Participate in the settlement
2.Exclude yourself
3.Submit a claim

So this has NOT run out

Again, CALL THEM if you had damage

Quadcammer

Most people smart enough to own a mercedes already submitted the repair costs to their insurance company anyway, so all that may be involved is reimbursement of a deductible.

Revice

What are the chances of an airmatic class action lawsuit?

Quadcammer

zip. It wears out just like any other suspension. Sometimes you get a bad one. If you ignore obvious warning signs, it can be dangerous.

This is just common sense.

Not to mention, with $400 strut replacements that are better than OEM, we don't have any reason to *****.

carloslameiro

that is a GREAT idea!

cl5Man

I hate to raise a dead subject but it seems that my passenger side has flooded and rear passenger area also.I have a 2002 (w215) cl500 We have had some serious rain in NJ the last couple of days. When I opened my hood i saw about 5 inches of water under the grate by the windsheild with all kinds of debris and leaves. whenn the car is started I get every kind of error and warning you could imagine. the passenger fuse box is wet just like the carpet. What I want to know is can I take the car to dealer to have it fixed at no charge or is the stealership going to give me the run around.The class action suit says as long as I have less than 100,000 miles. I dont want to pay for a poor design flaw by MBUSA. Will it be a easy and hassle free?? Thanks for the help

classyS

hmm well this sucks, no way to prevent it?? or just clear the grate near the windshield every day??

also too, im 2nd owner and car still has under 100k miles, is there some factory warranty on all these vehicles??

Skylaw

cl5Man,

You are past the time to file a claim in the class action lawsuit. Only the dealer can tell you what he will do. If the result is not satisfactory, take it up to the area and regional reps.

classyS, read the posts and follow the links.

gac

Just got my check! after the lawyer fees it was just over $1000.00

classyS

thanks skylaw, didnt notice the link but found this to be very bold to all thats spent time and money for the REED valve:

"If you agree with the proposed settlement, you need not do anything until after the Court decides whether to grant final approval of the settlement. However, to obtain reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs for repairs due to water damage from a clogged reed valve, you must complete the Claim Form that you received with your Notice, and mail it, along with the required documentation, to the Claims Administrator, postmarked no later than September 14, 2010. Claims are not expected to be reimbursed until the fall or winter of 2010. If you’d like to obtain a copy of the Claim Form from this website, click here and you will be directed to the Claim Form page."

also this too:

NOTE: Repair estimates from any source other than an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will not be accepted as valid claim documentation. Only repairs necessary due to a clogged reed valve will be performed without charge. The voucher for repairs must be used prior to the expiration date, is non-transferable and has no cash value. All repairs must be performed at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.

If you experienced water damage due to a clogged reed valve after June 16, 2010, but prior to 18 months after the Effective Date of the Settlement or 100,000 miles on your odometer (whichever occurs first), you are eligible to have repairs made at no cost to you at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. You do not need to file a claim form in this instance; simply take your vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Skylaw

That's good, classyS; the dealer should fix the problem without cost to you, since you would seem to meet the parameters of the last paragraph in your quote.

However - while my own dealer is aware of some of the information related to this settlement (they are checking the reed valve as part of routine maintenance now), they may or may not be aware of all of the terms of the settlement. It will depend primarily on 1) what MB has told them, and 2) whether they are paying attention to MB. Few dealers will respond to the judge in a nationwide lawsuit, but generally they'll listen to MB Corporate.

There could be some push back getting the dealer to understand; that's why I recommend pushing it further up the chain if you don't get satisfaction.

For others, it is now too late to file a claim for financial reimbursement for past damage. The only place to pursue this would be with the attorneys handling the settlement. They're in the link in post #5.

cl5Man

Ok guys I took my cl500 to a very large Benz dealer, They said I have extensive damage, It has taken them 2 days to find all of the damage. I was told by the dealership that they would submit the info to MBUSA to see what will be covered.The dealer said they had to remove almost everything inside the car(seats,console and carpets).It has been 3 days
and I have not heard back yet.I just dont want them to say thats they will only cover 40% of damage or some kind of bullsh*t like that. I think they should fix everything that was damaged by the water. I am on my
third Benz and dont have interest in driving anything else.I really hope they do the right thing. With this hard economy now I know that I cant afford to get it repaired myself.I am self employed and would prefer to keep my employees with a job rather than spend a workers pay check to
repair a car with a design flaw. I love my car and have never had any problems.MBUSA DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!

mandyed66

well I'm screwed. we are located in MD and got slammed with rain on 09/30/10. We just purchased an '03 S500 w/ 107k miles. my husband was driving it and it just started going crazy!! brake lights not working, headlights flashing, gas gage not working, heat/AC not working. so I googled and found you guys. I filed under my insur company....we've only had our car for 3 weeks!! its been in the shop for over 2 weeks now. dried out....water in the rear passanger seat has been removed. It was just takened to 1 mercedes dealer and they refused to look at it....saying they already have a flood one and they can't figure it out. so today it is being towed to another MB dealer. I'm thinking they are going to replace the SAM. I'm just worried after the SAM is replaced that months from now I might experience more problems due to the water damage it has received.

Has anyone had the SAM replaced and no problems after that? The reed valve under the windshield was clogged but we had no clue about this problem due to just getting the car 3 weeks prior. I'm just worried my car is ruined for life now that it has gotten all wet. in the future we will check these valves weekly to make sure this doesn't happen again. of course i just missed the dead line to the lawsuit.....plus my car has 107k miles!!! Luckily the insurance is covering this (this time)

someone please tell me if they have had their rear SAM replaced and their experience after that!

Thanks in advance!! I MISS MY NEW CAR

mandyed66

ok.....so the blower motor and SAM needs replaced along with some wires that were effected. it rained again yesterday while the car was sitting outside at the service center and AGAIN got wet. there are two drains that are clogged that they are also going to fix/replace. WOW!! what a bad experience with a new car. Not to mention my 1st Mercedes CLK320 transmission went up 49k miles. now i gotta wait for the insurance estimator to go to the dealers to ok the work....$3-8K

Skylaw

Did you not get any kind of warranty when you bought the car used? Most dealers will offer 30 days, at least.

Anyway, your insurance should cover. Hope it will.

With the service bulletins out, there is no way the car should have taken water the second time. The dealer (if they're MB) should have cleared the drains; that they didn't is negligence on their part.

Who are the folks you're dealing with? I am familiar with some of the Baltimore area dealers.

mandyed66

We got a powertrain warranty and the dealer would only take back powertrain also for 30 days. The 1st dealer wouldn't touch it but its at a new shop now with water sitting in SAM waiting for estimator to come monday to ok all the repairs. Valley motors refused to look at the car stating its to old. Its at solicit city now and they seem great!

mandyed66

Ellicott city.....sorry. dumb phone!