My 2006 Mercedes Benz R350 was diagnosed with a counter balance shaft/gear problem. It has 85000 miles... which doesn't seem like a lot for a car that is 5 years old and supposed to last forever. Plus I have maintained the car with oil changes, tires, etc and am the original owner. I see on line that there is a class action suit pending. I believe a $5000 repair is way too much and the company should take responsibility.

- Fenton, MI, USA

Check engine light came on. The vehicle failed state inspection and was taken to a Mercedes dealer for diagnosis. They report that there is a balance shift problem that was related to wear and tear. The repair costs $5,000. I found online that there is a class action suit regarding this issue. I believe Mercedes is well aware that this id a defective part and will not recall the vehicle due to financial ramifications.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

Detailed vehicle information: VIN: [xxx] model year: 2006 model: R350 (model code 251.156/165) engine: 3.5L 90 V6 (M272) current mileage: Approximately 48,500 miles reference: Mercedes Benz service bulletin S-B-03.30/08J: My check engine light illuminated at 70 miles per hour and engine lost power and developed strong vibrations, forcing me to slow down and limp home. Mercedes mechanic diagnosed it as broken balance shaft gear. Due to weak materials used in the early M272 engine production, the balance shaft sprocket and other engine components can fail catastrophically causing property damage and personal injury. This is known design flaw and should be subject to recall.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

2006 Mercedes R350, check engine light on. Replaced magnets and check engine light returned. Diagnosed as defective balance shaft & gear. Mercedes says motor has to be removed to replace balance shaft, gear, timing chain, oil pump and related tensioners and guides. This is a defect that mb has been aware of since 2007. Car is sitting in my driveway because driving it risks severe engine damage due to possibly jumping time.

- Randleman, NC, USA

Mercedes Benz R 350, early wear on balanced gear and timing chain, less that 40,000 miles, code1200 and 1208, Mercedes Benz company know that the materials used on that parts aren't strong enough, check engine light go on and fuel economy is very low, the company know the cause and make change on new parts materials, but no safety recall has been posted to customers with that problems.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

2006 Mercedes Benz R350 3.5 272 engine constant cel for P0016 P0017 cam balance shafts for left side intake and exhaust cam balancers worn gears due to incorrectly hardened gears during manufacture. If gears fail engine will fail timing chain may cause engine to seize or smash valves possibly causing a wreck if occurs at high speed. Mb has known that their engines are unsafe since 2007 issuing tsb's but not recalling engines expecting customers to pay from $4000 to $7500 for repairs after they have done minor repairs such as replacing the solenoids for the camshaft balancers ( as I have already done ) dealers say this is a common problem and pretty much all 2006 2007 272 engines have this problem over the whole classes of mb vehicles not just R class, but mbusa is denying this, since a class acion suit was filed against mbusa they have started to cover repairs to some people who's warranties have expired but not all....... a problem exists dealers know it exists and now mbusa is starting to admit it to some people a recall should be done and an investigation in to mbusa and their practices in covering up a defect of manufacture and subsequent cover up of their putting unsafe vehicles on to the us auto market, plus lemon law violations as they are telling owners to trade their vehiles or sell them ( dumping them onton the open market for people like myself to purchase them )..

- Charleston, WV, USA