Initiating Recall Campaign- Crank Shaft Balancer Failure E320 210 V6
 

Hello all!

As a victim of a poorly designed/produced, E320 Crank Shaft balancer , I am initiating a recall attempt campaign, as I am used to dealing with another similar situation for a Cadillac I owned at one point. Please show us your solidarity, and ability to contact and follow procedure to report to MB USA and NHTSA.ORG once such a mechanism is established. What could the result be? aVoluntary recall, a reimbursement of spent dollars if you recently got it replaced/for failure.

Please post your responses and readiness to cooperate to encourage this process.

Thanks

Suresh Palakurthi
palakurthi@usa.net

Crankshaft balancer recall campaign
 

Hello All.

I talked to NHTSA CSR and the MB Corporate Service support number.. Its so pathetic that MB CSRS are only allowed to say 'Your concern has been documented' and "Since your vehicle is operational as disgned, there is no further action MB would take' He told me that for every questions I asked. Obviously that is not customer service , it is covering ther 'ASS'ets..

there I went to NHTSA and lodged a complaint. As you all kknow NHTSA responses are based on volume of complaints.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do launch your experience as a complaint!

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
is the link. go armed with your VIN Number, and ytour dealer advice words and dollar cost of fixing and extent of damage.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Crank Shaft Blancer Faiulure-
 

Dear Moderator.. Please consider to make this post a sticky!

CRANKSHAFT BALANCER RECALL EFFORT- What to chose in the categories
 

Please make sure that you use the same Engine and Component to let NHTSA pickup the quantity of complaints.

Chose E 320 (not 320, not E class not anything else) and component:
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

If that component is not avaialbe in your model year list, dont hesitate to add to the list as allowed by the option there!:cool: :cool: :cool:

Great work!
I have a 97, so I do not have that issue.
Should we also do this for the play in the seat rail that develops every 1-2 years and cost $1200 to replace?

Your concern has been documented dammit!
 

Hey, why limit yourself to just the E320 with the M112 motor?
The ML's I know for a fact has experienced alot of failures such as this, and any other car with the M112.

Gilly

I'm not sure if NHTSA gets involved with poor designs that result in monetary losses. Have you looked at the form? They are more interested in the SAFETY implications of the poor design. You'll have to play up the safety angle. Make sure you mention (perhaps stress) that failure can result in the car suddenly stalling in traffic. Stalling in traffic is the basis for many recalls.

Right, not to mention the loss of power steering.

Gilly

Just filed NHTSA complaint 1999 C280 balancer failure.It seems like a lot of work, but i'm sure it will be worth it in the end. Also just contacted the Law Firm that handled FSS lawsuit. They sounded interested and said they are aware of the problem.

Opinions about the balancer failure recall effort with NHTSA
 

Key thing with NHTSA is the 'Volume' of complaints related to same part or equipment. Yes, its no big deal to point to NHTSA that the gouged oil pan or timing belt cover would cause catastrophic injury/accident. Obviously, we can't claim unless it happeened to us. For sure, when it reaches a 100 complaints, we will be contacted, and an investigation would be launched. at that point, some of us will be contacted. Also, we SHOULD complain about every vehicle, with similar failure, but trying to classify the type of failure is the key. (I have seen some folks complaining as 'cooling syustem failure' and some as powertrain failure). This failure is all that.

I believe that this forum may not be the appropriate place to discuss actual strategy, as there are implications to the forum facilitator, from legal action etc., from the defending parties. Obviously, we can only 'state facts' and experiences here. We will do emails for the rest. Please call me or contact me by email if you are contributing/recruiting/educating others to lodge complaints.

Yes, we should complain about MLs, C320s, and C280 and so on.

NHTSA is interested in all 'trend ' of failure situations.

Please take a moment and LET AT LEAST ONE PERSON you know to launch their personal complaint.

Thanks

Suresh Palakurthi
717 222 9779
palakurthi@usa.net

Opinions about the balancer failure recall effort with NHTSA
 

Key thing with NHTSA is the 'Volume' of complaints related to same part or equipment. Yes, its no big deal to point to NHTSA that the gouged oil pan or timing belt cover would cause catastrophic injury/accident. Obviously, we can't claim unless it happeened to us. For sure, when it reaches a 100 complaints, we will be contacted, and an investigation would be launched. at that point, some of us will be contacted. Also, we SHOULD complain about every vehicle, with similar failure, but trying to classify the type of failure is the key. (I have seen some folks complaining as 'cooling syustem failure' and some as powertrain failure). This failure is all that.

I believe that this forum may not be the appropriate place to discuss actual strategy, as there are implications to the forum facilitator, from legal action etc., from the defending parties. Obviously, we can only 'state facts' and experiences here. We will do emails for the rest. Please call me or contact me by email if you are contributing/recruiting/educating others to lodge complaints.

Yes, we should complain about MLs, C320s, and C280 and so on.

NHTSA is interested in all 'trend ' of failure situations.

Please take a moment and LET AT LEAST ONE PERSON you know to launch their personal complaint.

Thanks

Suresh Palakurthi
717 222 9779
palakurthi@usa.net

Did you have one of those fine GM Motors -- the 4.1

You want to talk about problem cars -- the mid 80s Cadillacs! One can not believe. And the motor was only part of the problem!!

The new general manager of Cadillac said that they are still paying the price of the 85 launch cars.

You want to know something, they should be -- And MB should remember that people DO remember and the star on the hood only buys so much good will.

Hit me with your best shot!!!!
 

My question is when will clients take accountiblity for their cars as well?
I got yelled at by some puetz today for having failed spark plugs in his 98' Ml with 147,000 mi. He honestly belived, he shouldn't have to pay for maintinence costs. I told him the plugs were actually due at 100,000 miles and he called me a F***IN
thief to my face.
"you mean to tell me after I paid 40 grand for this damn thing,
You still expect me to pay for this crap!? This thing should be maintinence free!"

I am honestly sorry If your car is broken and out of warranty.
I am even more sorry if it was a known fault.
Going into dealers and threatening to sue them and get the mechanics fired for this is not a good approach.
I had to buy a Balancer for My 99 E55 and it cost $600 for just
the part. No help, no goodwill. Ok, so I know how you all feel.
But, remember we did not build or design your car. Just sales
and service to the best of our abilities.

So please, on behalf of all honest technicians. Please don't come in and spit, swear, or put voo-doo curses on us.
Telling us we are F 'in theives and telling us you will sue will not
make us want to go out on a limb to help you.

Now you may proceed with all the nasty replies.
DIESEL

Exactly. The spark plug should be replaced at 100,000 mile interval so it's not unreasonable. ;) However, it's understandable why he was mad. Because he might have already cut out all his limbs to pay for other extra repairs and unexpected visits. I am sure you got discount, along with other bells and whistles, to pay for your balancer. :cool: No harms intended. :p

Nope, No love. I paid wholesale for the Stupid part. Serves me right for buying a Canadian car. No goodwill! AAHHRRGG!!!!
AMG/// means it has to cost 6 times what a standard balancer costs. I did however give myself a break on labor by not charging myself full price.

P.s. we stopped accepting limbs as payment.
Gold fillings and first born children are still accepted.;)

Dr.D