I don't know if i'm late.... But I just got my recall letter in the mail yesterday. It says to bring the truck in for them to inspect for cracks. If they find cracks they will change the Cats. for free. The letter also says they will refund your money if already payed to have them replaced.

What's with the unhappy face? You might get new free parts!
Do you have a question about the campaign?
DR.D

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Dr.Diesel -
Shop Foreman
Master Guild Mercedes-Benz Technician.

Think the dealer is expensive? Do you know how much it costs to train a dealer tech? Or buy the required MB special tools to have on hand?

What model / years ML does the campaign cover?

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

The letter says 99-2001 ML430 and 320.

Thanks!

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

I took my 2000 ML in for the check last week (MB found a crack). They ordered a new cat for me to be installed this week. There was no outward signs of a leak, noise, whistle, vibration, etc.. that I could notice. Nice to have recall that works.

That's quick. My cats were inspected and declared bad on 9/30. I'm still waiting for the dealer (Dick Dyer Mercedes in Columbia, SC) to get them in to replace them. Last time I called, the parts guy said they were waiting on 20 sets and there was a nationwide backorder. He said he was expecting delivery in February.

I think I'll call again.

Does anyone know why the 98 ml320 is excluded from the recall? Different design? Thanks.

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87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)

I called MB last week about the recall. They said my 1999 ML320 (8-98) was not part of the recall!

It should be because the cats crack on '98s too. Just got a letter last month that my harmonic balancer might be bad, four years after it flew apart! Maybe they'll decide to cover the cat eventually.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

I had the balancer done last December. The "campaign" letter came in October. I would not be surprised if what I was told about the cat was wrong from Customer Service, regarding my '99. I'll wait and see....

why is there such a back order!? If they're going to issue a recall you'd think that MB would talk to its suppliers first so that they had enough stock to cover the first round of letters.

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

You're talking about a HUGE number of vehicles under the recall.

Manufacturers of the part are only capable of producing a finite number over a period of time. No way are they going to invest capital into machinery that won't be needed two years from now.

My two dealers in the Atlanta area state my vehicle is not in the range of affected vehicles, but I'm willing to bet I'll get the letter within the next six months.

BTW.......my 99ML430 with 235,000 miles on the clock, has none of the symptoms others have mentioned, but as soon as I get the notification, I'll schedule an appointment. My main concern is carbon monoxide gas entering the passenger cabin.

According to the dealer, my 1999 ML430 (163.172) with VIN A100990 is NOT included in the Campaign 2005060014.

According to the bulletin, chassis numbers A057638 to A260575 are affected. Anyone have an explanation as to why my vehicle would not be included? A few months ago, what sounded like exhaust got considerably louder but I could not find the source (looking at exhaust pipe and muffler, not the cat). Now I suspect it's the cat weld. Thanks.

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Jim

That's what mine did when the cat cracked. Look under your car and see if either cat resembles the photos in this thread. My car is A004777 and also is not covered, though obviously the cat was a problem.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)