Problem with reimbursement for catalyst repair - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lisapita · #1 11-01-2005, 05:32 PM

I have a 99 ML320 with ~100,000 miles. A few months ago an exhaust leak developed which a muffler shop identified as a crack in both catalysts. I called my dealer but was told it was out of warranty and the repair cost was $1500 or more. I paid ~$500 to have those parts taken down and welded by the muffler shop. I recently learned about the service campaign for this problem, which directs you to an authorized MB dealer to submit your reimbursement request through. I inquired of my dealer about it and was told by the service manager that it would take their service department 1 hour per side to take down the catalyst and weld/replace it. I find this difficult to believe. Does anyone have any info on this? Has anyone applied for reimbursement? What did you submit and what did you recieve?

Thanks

mbdoc · #2 11-02-2005, 08:12 AM

THAT dealer response is bad! The listed repair times under that Service Campaign (#2005060014) is 4-6 hrs!

CALL 1-800-367-6372 MBUSA
& if they don't respond properly then call 1-888-327-4236.

richard28 · #3 11-02-2005, 12:49 PM

does that service campaign also cover 98 mls?

sunedog · #4 11-02-2005, 03:55 PM

I have a 99 ML 320 that is also out of warranty.

1. I paid to repair the my crankshaft dampener pulley. When the campaign came out, I contacted the service manager and they mailed me a check. I had to follow up with them twice, but I eventually got the check. Be politely persistent.

2. Had my truck in last month for something unrelated to the exhaust. Service writer advised me of the cat campaign and said both of mine needed to be replaced (at MBUSA's cost). The cat's are on order right now. The parts guy confirmed to me the list price of those babies is about $1200 each.

3. Remind them that leaking exhaust gasses kill people. It is in their best interest to repair their (design or manufacturing) defect themselves.

Good luck.

Smouhanna · #5 12-05-2005, 03:04 PM

I just called MBUSA 800 numbers to ask them if my 99 ML320 was covered with this recall and they told me that it is not covered.

blueeagle289 · #6 12-06-2005, 09:25 AM

That job is definitely 4 - 6 hours, because they have to remove the front torsion bars to do the job !! Also, my girl friend has an ML 320 (99) that she had to do the cat job on, but did it at a Meineke Muffler place, who did the job for about $300
When she called Mercedes about reimbursement, they said to wait for the replacement letter and then file the claim. I think she will be reimbursed for the $1000 she had to spend, even tho' her mileage was near 100K at the time.

... We got the cats from Phil at our Forum Parts place and he saved us a lot of money on the purchase price .... always order from Phil when you need anything and have the job done at other than MB if it is something like this ...... Again, go to the Buy Parts tab on this forum and get things like cats etc. The cost is significantly lower with Phil, especially for big ticket items like cats, which are unbelievably overpriced by Mercedes!