3.2
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 43,274 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.
Check engine light came on, took the car to my mechanic that works on foreign cars, he informed me that my drive cam shaft is "retarded" basically stating that my sprockets that hold the timing belt are worn down, I am also loosing compression. I took it to the Mercedes dealership and they told me they will goodwill the repair if that is really what is wrong with it. They however proceeded to tell me that your car has almost 100,000 miles on it, so it may just be the timing belt is worn down.(they will try anything to get out of the repair). They told me that they need to check the records to see when the car was serviced and also that since I did not purchase the car from them they do not have to do the work.
- Pflugerville, TX, USA
2006 Mercedes Benz R350 stalled in the middle of a residential intersection shortly after the car was purchased. Within a short period of time after getting the car, we also felt a strong jerking then shifting gears, but it was doing it on its own. We took it in and was told it's just loud. Then we were told there was a recall. They were supposed to fix it but it never stopped. The check engine light continued to come on. Other issues related to the engine had to be fixed rather quickly. The car was purchased in the end of 2005, and has 88,000 miles. Over a year ago, the car began idling/shaking really bad. I called mb roadside and was told that it was probably because the gas cap wasn't placed back on the car correctly and gas was leaking. I had the car checked and there was no gas leaking. The car was taken to the dealership where I was told the intake manifold was broken and needed to be replaced before anything else could be diagnosed. The car is still idling bad and check engine light is on. It is now back at the dealership it was purchased from for a diagnosis, which I should receive tomorrow.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
My 2006 R350 has a balance shaft issue (got the codes P0016 and P0017) on the scanner. It seems like a manufacturing defect. There are only 41K miles on the car.
- Ashburn, VA, USA
Balance shaft problem with mb R350, 2006 engine W272 65000 miles dealer doesn't want to take the car in for an exchange arguing this car has potential problem proven with the amount of repair done to this kind of engine very expensive to repair ( 6 to 7K) Mercedes should assume the cost of repair and issue a recall for all M272 and M273 engines in usa and Canada.
- Palm Coast, FL, USA
The vehicle indicated check engine light and the error code shows P0016 which is shaft balance issue. The dealer and manufacturer would not attend to it despite the fact that it a known error from factory. The issue would reoccur because of poor material and could cause the car to stall while in travel.
- Lanham, MD, USA
Balance shaft problems in 2006 R350 Mercedes Benz at 62K miles.
- Apple Valley, CA, USA
2006 Mercedes Benz R 350, check engine light illuminated under normal driving conditions at approx 66,000 miles; possible balance shaft wear indications; mb dealer cleared cel and performed test drive without it reappearing; cel illuminated again within 50 miles; subsequent visit to mb dealer confirmed early wear on balance shaft gear and timing chain; Mercedes Benz knows that the materials used were insufficiently hardened, causing premature wear and possible sudden loss of power resulting in no power steering or power brakes without warning, thereby presenting a danger to vehicle occupants; safety recall is in order for vehicle owners with similar engine types
- La Plata, MD, USA
Mercedes-Benz balance shaft issues that effect 2006 plus years, R350 and other models that have the check engine light come on, giving a fault code, balance shaft issue. The fix is very expensive, ranging from $4,000 to $7,500. Mercedes-Benz has known about the problem since they issued a technical service bulletin in 2007. However, currently mb is not notifying consumers or paying for the total repair of the balance shaft.
- Waterloo, IA, USA
On September 19, 2010 I started up my vehicle and notice a check engine light appears on my dashboard. I drove the vehicle for two more days and the light disappeared. And then on the fourth day the light appear again. I immediately contact the Mercedes Benz service and asked the about the check engine light. I was informed not to panic it's probably the gas cap not properly on or since I was away for one week and my vehicle was parked in the garage maybe that is why the check engine light is on. I then decide to take my vehicle right to Mercedes Benz because I did not want to take any chances with this message. I took the vehicle in and informed the service advisor about the light. Later on that day I received a phone call informing me the vehicle needs a counter balancer? I asked him how does he know and he replied that the technician saw small metal particles in my oil pan. My vehicle was fully serviced in March, 2010 the repair he told me will be very costly between $4000-$6000 for a counter balancer ! I left the vehicle and called Mercedes Benz customer care to ask them about this part. The customer care rep informed me that this vehicle does not have this problem and to go get my vehicle before they start the repair. I went back to get my vehicle and the service advisor told me that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and may stop on me while in drive. I had no other recourse but to have my vehicle repair. When I pick up my vehicle several days later I asked again about the repairs and was given a lengthy repair bill with alot more items then what the service advisor said needed to be done to my vehicle. I called another technician who is also employed with Mercedes Benz and ask about this part, and he told me Mercedes Benz knows about the counter balancer in some of the 350 engine but will not recall them. I do not understand why Mercedes Benz is not recalling this expensive part !
- Moore, OK, USA
- Charlotte , NC, USA