2.8
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 51,819 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The dealer sold the car without disclosing the multiple safety issues pertaining to the car; such as, the supplemental restraint system, control arms, ball joints, engine instability, emissions deception, and odometer accuracy, and flood damage. During the generation of the purchase, the dealer insinuated the car was never involved in any accidents but the vehicle's history reported 3 that I discovered 'after' I purchased the car. Regarding proof of engine instability, I could not upload the video on this form.
- Peachtree Corners, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Clk350. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a faulty balance shaft, which ultimately caused premature wear. After the vehicle was serviced for regularly scheduled maintenance, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of orange park (7018 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl) where it was diagnosed that the balance shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
- Orange Park, FL, USA
Mercedes Benz vehicles manufactured between 2004 & 2007 & equipped with Mercedes' M272 have a faulty balance shaft which was not properly anealed, causing premature wear. The subject engines were manufactured with defective gears in their balance shafts. These defective gears wear out prematurely, excessively, and can cause damage to other expensive engine components without warning. Repair requires removal of the engine and was quoted at $7000-$8000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer. Most other import shops do not want to even attempt the repair due to the complexity and special tools required. A class action lawsuit was settled on this issue several years ago (we were never even notified) but only those who had the issue at the time could take advantage of the settlement's discounted repair costs (it was a terrible settlement!). we did not have the issue until a few months ago at around 77000 miles. This problem can cause the engine to misfire, stall or break down completely. Mercedes Benz and its dealerships basically say, oh well, you got a lemon. We also cannot possibly pass the emission test without repairs that cost more than the bluebook value of the car - which has been dealer maintained and garaged since purchase. We believe this balance shaft manufacturing flaw presents a major safety issue and should be subject to a mandatory recall and repaired entirely at Mercedes' expense.
- Evanston, IL, USA
Clk 2006 defective balance shaft/timing chain: Purchased our car new, have maintained it at the highest level, all recommended repairs and services completed when recommended and due, all done at the dealer where we purchased our car. Check engine light came on a few months ago, felt like the car was running rough, had it towed to the dealer, we were told there was nothing wrong. Without warning, on July 18, 2013 the check engine light came on again, took it in to the dealer, was told that the balance shaft w/ timing chain needed to be replaced it is a defective part. Mercedes is aware of the problem will pay for the parts; $1,700, however at this time has not allotted funds to cover the labor, which they need to do to make this right, total quote $7,300. At this point we do not know the extent of the damage to the engine. People buy a Mercedes because they are the best and a the leader in the industry. I expect them at the least to cover all expenses related to the defective parts or pay us the purchase price of our car so we can start over.
- Tacoma, WA, USA
After only 80,000 miles, my $55,000 car now needs $5,200 worth of repairs to fix a known defect in the balance shaft. Without this repair, driving my car is unsafe, yet Mercedes is not offering to help fix a problem they created. Add my name to the long list of Mercedes owners dissatisfied with the quality of a Mercedes; their failure to take responsibility for their mistake and their total lack of concern for customer satisfaction.
- Irmo, SC, USA
- Desoto Tx, TX, USA