Due to the huge numbers of vehicles affected- they are doing all these campaigns on a rolling scale- sometimes by VIN, sometimes by area- so, your vehicle may not so up on a VMI as needing the campaign-YET!! At least they are fixing all these issues- I'm glad to finally see MB getting back to making sure their cars are right after the last 10 years...

There's been a development in my saga so I tought I'd give you an update.

My cat's were ID'd as being defective in Sep 2005. I have been waiting for the dealer to get left cat's in (he says he has plenty of right's). I called the dealer yesterday and had a long cordial discussion with the service manager. He suggested I complain to MBUSA. So I did.

Ironically, my wife called this morning and said the truck was now really loud. I met her and figured out it was an exhaust related noise. Sounded like a 1970 Malibu with a hole in the muffler. Sent her to an indy who told her the left cat was BROKEN IN HALF. He advised her not to drive it because of 1) obvious safety issues and 2) he said the heat can damage other components such as the front left axle shaft U joints.

I called the dealer back and the ass. service manager (abbreviation on purpose) told me it's OK to drive it, exhaust gasses _can't_ get to the passenger compartment and they will fix it as soon as they get the left cat's in. Oh, it may be August before they catch up. I was incredulous. He said he has several customers driving around town right now making the same noise. I asked him to put that in writing (the part about the exhaust gasses and it won't damage anything) and he back peddled immediately and said that's what MBUSA has been telling him.

So obviously I called MBUSA. The rep said the issue was between my dealer and me so I made her hold on while I conferenced in the dealer on the same call. Ended up talking to the parts manager, who happens to have the same last name as the owner (I think he is the son), and he was very supportive. Turns out they have 3 or 4 left cat's in stock they were saving for other customers who have been waiting longer than me. Since MBUSA told him a part had been secured for me and was in transit (from yesterdya's complaint call), he agreed to fix my car tomorrow and replenish his stash with the cat MBUSA secured for me.

So my ML is on a roll back as I speak headed to my local dealer. Of course, MBUSA said I would be responsible for the towing charge. They will bill it to the dealer but I will have to pay for it. I said sure, whatever. I'll cross that bridge when I get the bill.

I only got a breakthrough when I got both MBUSA and the dealer on the phone with me at the same time.

As soon as I get the cat's replaced, I can move on to properly diagnose my CEL and see if I need a MAF. (I'm already 99% sure I do.)