Expert Witness Needed for 3.0 CRD engine
 

I hope I am posting in the right place here. I have a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0 Mercedes CRD engine, the same one used in the E320, ML320, GL320 etc. As most of you know, this engine was recalled in the 2007 model year for a faulty crankshaft position sensor which can cause the vehicle to stall and potentially create some dangerous situations for the driver. I have taken my Jeep to 4 different Jeep dealers, but since these Jeeps are so few in number, none of the Jeep dealers have ever seen one of these, much less been able to pinpoint my stalling problem. This, among other unresolved issues has led me into lemon law action. What I am looking for is a certified Mercedes mechanic who can basically inspect the vehicle, and document that they believe the engine in my Jeep is indeed the same engine subject to the recall for the crankshaft position sensor, based on their experience with this engine. It would help if you are somewhere near WV/PA/OH area. I am willing to pay for this service at a rate above the standard hourly rate you'd normally charge for service. I would need a repair order, a separate letter and if it comes to that, actually testifying. All of which I would compensate you for. I am sorry if I have posted this to the wrong forum, but I am kind of in a pickle here with this car and need help. Please PM me.

Contact Jeep, notify them of their dealerships lack of training and ask them where you need to bring it to perform the recall. They should also be able to check if you actually NEED the recall from your VIN.

http://www-5.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.jsp?screenName=customer&country=us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm(%27R%27)
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Lemon law only works if they are unable to repair the vehicle for the same problem several times. Since your vehicle does not have an actual problem, just a potential one, lemon law would not apply.

My Jeep does have an actual problem, I was almost in a traffic accident because of stalling issues that 4 Jeep dealers could not find and/or repair, and Chrysler was willing to do nothing for me. I don't feel it's relevant to discuss the specifics of my lemon law claim, but I do need an "expert witness" as outlined above.

Also, the recall has not yet been issued for the Jeep. Only Mercedes and Sprinter models with the same run of engines.

Thanks for your reply.

Buy a crank sensor and replace it yourself.

The Ford Powerstroke guys have had the same crank sensor issue for years before Ford acknowledged the problem.

It doesn't seem like things are likely to get any better now that Diamler has divested itself of Chrysler. Good luck with your claim.

Thank you. I think if I can scrounge up someone suitable to help me, I should be OK. Hopefully my post does the trick.

I don't really understand why you need an expert witness. Most lemon laws simply state that if you have returned a certain number of times with a problem that the dealer is unable to repair then you can file a claim, just keep your documentation showing your return visits.

I suppose it would help to have an expert be on your side but frankly you have documented the trips to the service departments I assume so just file the claim and see how they respond...I bet you will hear from someone high up after they receive notice of the claim.

Also, if they have replaced the CPS and it still dies then maybe that's not the problem. If they haven't replaced it then you can save yourself a big hassle and just have it done, even if you have to pay you can then sue them in small claims court after it is fixed for the warranty claim. I don't think the part or the labor is all that costly...maybe a couple hundred dollars total? I bet you will waste hours and hours pursuing a lemon law claim - how much is your time worth?

If you are involved in a lemon law action, this is the exact opposite of what you should do, but I think you already know that.



I think you did post in the right place, but I would think you'd have more success on a jeep forum. .... whoops, I guess I just found your post...

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=527742


this vid is not germane to the issue, but the discussion below it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_--turTk0g


Good luck and keep posting everywhere you can.

Hehe, thanks for the support :)

And replying to the one above.. since the Jeep dealers cannot reproduce the problem, it's my word against theirs. With an expert witness, I at least have a reasonable shot.

You never had anyone in the car with you when it crapped out that could be your witness?

Been there / done that with the lemon law on a certain company with four rings, ... after all was done and they owed a new car (asked for a replacement, not money back), the manufacturer decided to not honor the Magistrate's decision, it then had to go to civil court in a regular lawsuit. There they lost quickly and had to pay the whole amount back. So my lesson was that the Magistrate's decision is not binding, the manufacturer does not legally have to honor the lemon-law decision.

It seems that you're trying to get out of your Jeep, not get it fixed properly, in which case good luck, that's what depreciation and trade-in is all about and the way most people go about it. If you simply want it fixed properly, you have a new set of questions to ask. Even if the lemon-law allows you out of the car, you will likely be given a depreciated amount (as I was offered) based on the miles on the vehicle.

All this legal and financial advice aside these things sometimes need to be taken up on principle alone. The car is screwed up, the manufacturer won't acknowledge it, and if no one every takes them on that's not likely to change. How much time or money it takes may be the issue for some but fortunately not for everyone.

They are about to go bankrupt, good luck

Take a video and get in an accident because of it. Then sue and get millions :D

Yeah, just like the victims of the Exxon Valdez spill.:D