Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03300804/24/2008SB-03-30-08E10022893Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. mercedes-benz model c230, c280, c350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, e350, e550, cls550, s600, and sl550. equipped with m272 engine or m273 engine. *nj10/03/2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SB-200807000208/01/200810028026Mercedes: replace v belt upper guide pulley. the v belt upper guide pulley optimized for noise reduction is available. the dealer will replace upper guide pulley at the next workshop visit. *pe02/27/2009

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
11/15/2011
 Periodically the car would lose acceleration and rpms would be high and the vehicle would jerk when i tried changing gears. as i change gears from park, reverse or drive, the gear shift jerks and i am unable to accelerate past 20 mph no matter how much pressure i place on the gas. : extreme loss of acceleration up hill and the steptronic (+/- shifting) did not work... (i could only go 35mph when every one else was going 70mph up hill) when i traveled on a flat surface with no inclination my car worked fine, i then decided to put it on neutral while traveling at 65mph...when i put it back in drive it did not pick up the gears it just continued as if it was in neautral. i had to pull over and shift it into park...as i shifted form d to neutral it shifted fine, but then from neutral to r the car jerked...from reverse to p it jerked again and shifted hard. i then shifted again to reverse, neutral, and drive thus the car jerked and did a hard shift with knocking noise and would not drive. i shifted to neutral again and shut the car off. when i turned it back on it shifted smooth and i drove off without any problem. took it to a repair shop and received p0717/p0718 fault codes and something about the valve body. i was also told that it was an transmission internal speed sensor issue. there is something faulty with the design and operation of this model year transmission and losing power and being able to only go 35 mph no matter how much you press the gas on the interstate or heavy fast moving traffic is extremely dangerous. mercedes benz is aware of this problem as many owners have complained but they will not institute a recall.
12/21/201164884
 After having the check engine light come on, we took the car to the dealership we purchased it from to perform a diagnostic after receiving codes p0170 and p0173 (mb codes 2092/2096) which mb classifies as mixture in right / left cylinder bank is too rich when idling and were told we would need to replace the intake manifold for $2110. the explanation we received (verbal only as they refused to describe the problem in writing after asking multiple times) was that a bushing that controls the air flow valves was worn. they could not provide a reason as to what would cause this wear considering the bushing is internal to the control valves. they also could not tell me which specific side this leak was coming from. since the intake manifold is one large component we would need to replace the entire thing. the car is five years old so roughly just over 12k miles per year and already major components are failing. this is from the same dealer (mb georgetown, texas) who once told us our brakes (rotors and pads) were all bad and needed to be replaced. we took it to a trusted mechanic and only needed to replace the front pads as they were getting close to being worn out. we now need a second opinion since i simply do not trust them. the information they provided was provide estimate to replace intake manifold for vacuum leak at $2110. air leak coming from intake tumble flap assembly.
06/10/201174321
 The vehicle was being driven on interste 95 in pompano beach florida, the car started to run rough and the check engine light became illuminated. took the car to the repair shop and it came up with 2 codes 1200 and 1208 intake and exhaust camshaft sensor right cylinder, the mechanics replaced the 2 sensors and a couple weeks later it appeared again. the original mechanic recomended another shop that specialized in mercedes. i took it there a few weks later and we were informed it is a comon problem with the mercedes and that they were being sued for it,and merceds has put out over 10 tsb on the issue and it has been hapening to cars with this new engine. the problem is the sprocket on the balance shaft was not hardened metal,like it was sapose to be.
11/30/2010
 To whom it may concern. i have the mb c230 2006. i've been losing power while driving. while the car idles it's running as if it's missing like out of timing. i've been to the parts dept because i was told the vehicle was missing. i had the coils changed. spark plugs changed, yet still the car has no power and when idling the engine runs so violent it's causing the belt to wear. so far i had to buy 5 belts and they won't last more than 4 days. this past week i was also told that the 4 magets would have to be changed. well i had them changed and still i have a car that has no power. i was finally told by a md mechanic my problem with the car is there's a balance shaft that's inoperable. when i inquire about this item i was told that mercedes benz does not have this as a recall item when infact this issue has been an issue since 2004. i would like to have any information in regards to repair. there is no way a customer of this auto maker should have to bear the burden of paying for should an item when in fact it's been a problem with mercerdes benz from the start.
09/13/201133800
 I was driving my vehichle on the highway during morning rush hour when i noticed that the car would not accelerate over 35 mph. i moved the car off the highway and stopped at a red light. once i stopped the car it would not accelerate at all when i stepped on the gas. i had to put the car in park and then move it back to drive to get the car to move. the car would jump and luch forward when i shifted gears. i drove the car dircetly to the dealer. the mercedes dealer told me that there was a problem with the software and that the software would need to be updated. i went to pick up my car after the software was updated ($1,700 cost) and drove the car about 10 miles when i noticed that the check engine light had come on. i took the car back to the mercedes dealer to let them know the check engine light was now on. the mercedes dealer told me i have a defective balance shaft that needs to be repaired. the mercedes dealer ask me if i had kept up the oil changes on the car. i told the them that i had. the mercedes dealer told me that i have to pay $2,500 just for them to take the engine apart and that the total repair will cost around $6,000. i just purchased the car in july 2010 ( 14 months ownership) with about 19,500 miles on it.
09/17/2011100731
 On march 12, 2011, during an a service, i was informed by my mechanic, the check engine light was illuminated due to the left intake cam sensor was defective but it was not a big concern. on september 17, 2011, during a b service, my mechanic stated the check engine light was illuminated again for the left intake cam and the right exhuast cam adjuster magnets were defective or the balance shaft was worn. at this point the car was running ok but he said if he runs a diagnostic test on the engine again in the near future and it reads a second problem on the right side cam side, there is a strong possibility teeth on the cam spocket due to the usage of an inferior product. he explained it would be approximately $4,000.00 to repair, he was repairing a vehicle with the same problem and showed me the wear on the teeth which cause the inbalance of the shaft and the cams come off line. in my mechanics opinion, mercedes benz knows about their defective part byt they do not want to have a campaign to resolve the issue and my type/year engine was made with this inferior part. i travel 80 miles to and from work and cannot afford to spend this money for a repair on a vehicle that is suppose to last me forever.
05/30/2011
 Bought this car with 38000 on it. the get up and go seemed sluggish but mechanic said it checked out. had some major issues. car would barely go, went directly to mercedes dealership. dealer said fuel pump was out $793. also said i needed to service the transmission, $350. they also said i had a much greater problem. a balance shaft inside the motor and quoted me $4600. the car now has 55,000 miles on it. the warranty was for 4 years or 50,000. the car is one year or 5,000 miles out of warranty. it is hard understand why this type of catastrophic failure is occuring so soon after the warranty is up. i checked this out online and it seems like i'm far from the first owner to have this problem. i saw a lawsuit, too bad i don't know how to paticipate. i'm really dissapointed that mercedes isn't doing the right thing on its own. please help!
09/17/2011100731
 On march 12, 2011, during an a service, i was informed by my mechanic, the check engine light was illuminated due to the left intake cam sensor was defective but it was not a big concern. on september 17, 2011, during a b service, my mechanic stated the check engine light was illuminated again for the left intake cam and the right exhuast cam adjuster magnets were defective or the balance shaft was worn. at this point the car was running ok but he said if he runs a diagnostic test on the engine again in the near future and it reads a second problem on the right side cam side, there is a strong possibility teeth on the cam spocket due to the usage of an inferior product. he explained it would be approximately $4,000.00 to repair, he was repairing a vehicle with the same problem and showed me the wear on the teeth which cause the inbalance of the shaft and the cams come off line. in my mechanics opinion, mercedes benz knows about their defective part byt they do not want to have a campaign to resolve the issue and my type/year engine was made with this inferior part. i travel 80 miles to and from work and cannot afford to spend this money for a repair on a vehicle that is suppose to last me forever.
05/30/2011
 Bought this car with 38000 on it. the get up and go seemed sluggish but mechanic said it checked out. had some major issues. car would barely go, went directly to mercedes dealership. dealer said fuel pump was out $793. also said i needed to service the transmission, $350. they also said i had a much greater problem. a balance shaft inside the motor and quoted me $4600. the car now has 55,000 miles on it. the warranty was for 4 years or 50,000. the car is one year or 5,000 miles out of warranty. it is hard understand why this type of catastrophic failure is occuring so soon after the warranty is up. i checked this out online and it seems like i'm far from the first owner to have this problem. i saw a lawsuit, too bad i don't know how to paticipate. i'm really dissapointed that mercedes isn't doing the right thing on its own. please help!
09/17/2011100731
 On march 12, 2011, during an a service, i was informed by my mechanic, the check engine light was illuminated due to the left intake cam sensor was defective but it was not a big concern. on september 17, 2011, during a b service, my mechanic stated the check engine light was illuminated again for the left intake cam and the right exhuast cam adjuster magnets were defective or the balance shaft was worn. at this point the car was running ok but he said if he runs a diagnostic test on the engine again in the near future and it reads a second problem on the right side cam side, there is a strong possibility teeth on the cam spocket due to the usage of an inferior product. he explained it would be approximately $4,000.00 to repair, he was repairing a vehicle with the same problem and showed me the wear on the teeth which cause the inbalance of the shaft and the cams come off line. in my mechanics opinion, mercedes benz knows about their defective part byt they do not want to have a campaign to resolve the issue and my type/year engine was made with this inferior part. i travel 80 miles to and from work and cannot afford to spend this money for a repair on a vehicle that is suppose to last me forever.
05/30/2011
 Bought this car with 38000 on it. the get up and go seemed sluggish but mechanic said it checked out. had some major issues. car would barely go, went directly to mercedes dealership. dealer said fuel pump was out $793. also said i needed to service the transmission, $350. they also said i had a much greater problem. a balance shaft inside the motor and quoted me $4600. the car now has 55,000 miles on it. the warranty was for 4 years or 50,000. the car is one year or 5,000 miles out of warranty. it is hard understand why this type of catastrophic failure is occuring so soon after the warranty is up. i checked this out online and it seems like i'm far from the first owner to have this problem. i saw a lawsuit, too bad i don't know how to paticipate. i'm really dissapointed that mercedes isn't doing the right thing on its own. please help!
09/17/2011100731
 On march 12, 2011, during an a service, i was informed by my mechanic, the check engine light was illuminated due to the left intake cam sensor was defective but it was not a big concern. on september 17, 2011, during a b service, my mechanic stated the check engine light was illuminated again for the left intake cam and the right exhuast cam adjuster magnets were defective or the balance shaft was worn. at this point the car was running ok but he said if he runs a diagnostic test on the engine again in the near future and it reads a second problem on the right side cam side, there is a strong possibility teeth on the cam spocket due to the usage of an inferior product. he explained it would be approximately $4,000.00 to repair, he was repairing a vehicle with the same problem and showed me the wear on the teeth which cause the inbalance of the shaft and the cams come off line. in my mechanics opinion, mercedes benz knows about their defective part byt they do not want to have a campaign to resolve the issue and my type/year engine was made with this inferior part. i travel 80 miles to and from work and cannot afford to spend this money for a repair on a vehicle that is suppose to last me forever.
05/30/2011
 Bought this car with 38000 on it. the get up and go seemed sluggish but mechanic said it checked out. had some major issues. car would barely go, went directly to mercedes dealership. dealer said fuel pump was out $793. also said i needed to service the transmission, $350. they also said i had a much greater problem. a balance shaft inside the motor and quoted me $4600. the car now has 55,000 miles on it. the warranty was for 4 years or 50,000. the car is one year or 5,000 miles out of warranty. it is hard understand why this type of catastrophic failure is occuring so soon after the warranty is up. i checked this out online and it seems like i'm far from the first owner to have this problem. i saw a lawsuit, too bad i don't know how to paticipate. i'm really dissapointed that mercedes isn't doing the right thing on its own. please help!
08/20/201177015
 Engine light illuminated: two diagnostics suggested two separate problems, worn out balance shaft and issues with the intake and exhaust camshaft. car is sluggish on acceleration and occasionally will not shift out of first gear. car must be pulled over and turned off, and then the computer resets. this is a periodic problem and is a particular hazardous problem entering high speed highways, which i must do on a daily basis.
02/10/201160000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz c230. the contact stated that the vehicle would stall while driving at various speeds. after the failures, the contact would be able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed the balance shaft needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 64,037. sm.
02/25/201142000
 2006 mercedes c230 has a defective blance shaft gear inside engine which drives the timing chain. mercedes benz knows that the materials used were insufficiently hardened, causing premature wear and possible sudden loss of power resulting in no power steering or power brakes without warning , thereby presenting a danger to vehicle occupants. mercedes has modified the gear on late 2006 models but never took responsibility to the defective parts already sold in the early 2006 production. this issue has been noted through out a large number of vehicles in the mercedes line. silent recall has been noted to the technicians but nothing is being done to repair the defect. maybe save some lives in the process. also note they are charging owners approx $5000 and dealers state it is happening often betwwen 30,000-100,000 miles. no warning or symtoms until it just happens.
02/01/201158705
 At the end of jan 2011, my engine light came on in my 2006 c230 mercedes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
08/13/200929000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz c230. the contact stated that the engine misfired and the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the intake manifold and cam sensor, but the failure recurred. the contact was waiting for a representative from the manufacturer to process a complaint. the failure mileage was 29,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.
08/13/200929000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz c230. the contact stated that the engine misfired and the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the intake manifold and cam sensor, but the failure recurred. the contact was waiting for a representative from the manufacturer to process a complaint. the failure mileage was 29,000 and the current mileage was 92,000. rvk
08/13/200929000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz c230. the contact stated that the engine misfired and the engine warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the intake manifold and cam sensor, but the failure recurred. the contact was waiting for a representative from the manufacturer to process a complaint. the failure mileage was 29,000 and the current mileage was 92,000. nw
08/11/201185000
 Received a check engine light notice. took c-230 (2006) to dealer and was told that the code indicated a worn timing gear problem and would require major engine repair. the cost estimate was $4000 to $5000 to take the engine apart and determine if the gear was worn and needed replacement. performed a internet search and found that this is a common problem with these engines. car has 85,000 miles and was purchased in 2008 with 40,000. have not had the repair performed yet.
08/13/200929000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz c230. the contact stated that the engine misfired and the engine warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the intake manifold and cam sensor, but the failure recurred. the contact was waiting for a representative from the manufacturer to process a complaint. the failure mileage was 29,000 and the current mileage was 92,000. nw
08/11/201185000
 Received a check engine light notice. took c-230 (2006) to dealer and was told that the code indicated a worn timing gear problem and would require major engine repair. the cost estimate was $4000 to $5000 to take the engine apart and determine if the gear was worn and needed replacement. performed a internet search and found that this is a common problem with these engines. car has 85,000 miles and was purchased in 2008 with 40,000. have not had the repair performed yet.
10/04/201054000
 The engine light went on in my 2006 c230 mercedes (current milage 57,000) since sept 2010. i later confirmed it's the problem in the balance shaft, which directly impact on the acceleration and failure of the engine. the engine sudden stopped running few times in my commute to work in a freeway. luckily, it was during the rush hour and the traffic was moving slowly. many times when i entered to the freeway in a merge lane, the acceleration didn't work at all and i almost got hit by the other cars in the merge lane. the mechanic advised if continue driving the vehicle without replacing balance shaft will lead to a big danger to the driver and passenger since the engine can be stopped anywhere and anytime. replacing the balance shaft cost $6,000 (from the dealer) and mercedes usa refuse to cover any portion of the repair since my car exceeds 50,000 miles/4 yrs warranty. i talked to the dealer and the service adviser. they said this is a common known problem for many of the mercedes models. in fact, it was in their service bulletin since 2007. unfortunately mercedes wouldn't cover any repair unless there
12/24/201051000
 Check engine light came on at about 51k miles, just out of warranty on c230 mercedes. the balance shaft is broken. no help with mercedes on this $3000 repair.
10/04/201054000
 The engine light went on in my 2006 c230 mercedes (current milage 57,000) since sept 2010. i later confirmed it's the problem in the balance shaft, which directly impact on the acceleration and failure of the engine. the engine sudden stopped running few times in my commute to work in a freeway. luckily, it was during the rush hour and the traffic was moving slowly. many times when i entered to the freeway in a merge lane, the acceleration didn't work at all and i almost got hit by the other cars in the merge lane. the mechanic advised if continue driving the vehicle without replacing balance shaft will lead to a big danger to the driver and passenger since the engine can be stopped anywhere and anytime. replacing the balance shaft cost $6,000 (from the dealer) and mercedes usa refuse to cover any portion of the repair since my car exceeds 50,000 miles/4 yrs warranty. i talked to the dealer and the service adviser. they said this is a common known problem for many of the mercedes models. in fact, it was in their service bulletin since 2007. unfortunately mercedes wouldn't cover any repair unless there
12/24/201051000
 Check engine light came on at about 51k miles, just out of warranty on c230 mercedes. the balance shaft is broken. no help with mercedes on this $3000 repair.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
07/17/201053000
 My c230 ,2006 car has a engine noise and thats so loud.please tell me about this noise .i think that is need to replace