9th Apr 2010, 19:06
I have my Mercedes ML350 in for service right now with the balance shaft (gear being stripped) problem. I only have 55k on my car and the warranty just expired. I have noticed on several forums that others have this problem. After talking to the Mercedes authorised mechanic, he showed me another in his shop with the same problem, and has seen this problem a lot and told me there was a possible class action suit in progress. I contacted Mercedes USA and they just offered me just $500 toward the $4500 repair bill in goodwill. I said that I would take it, but was not happy with Mercedes and that this is a design fault, and there should be a recall and they should stand behind their product. I really thought Mercedes was supposed to be a quality brand, but now am starting to wonder.
Anyway, if anyone knows how I can get help? Someone in Mercedes, a class action suit I can join, I would be grateful for your reply to kurterikson@sapphiretech.com
8th Oct 2010, 00:09
We are done playing games with Mercedes Benz. Mercedes Benz refuses to accept responsibility publicly for the defect, although privately their dealers do admit the defect, so a class action case has been filed in the State of New Jersey. Here is a link to the complaint filed.
14th Oct 2010, 19:35
I am a California owner of a 2006 model R 350 and experienced the problem with the balance shaft gear.
My car has 81,000 miles and the engine light came on. After checking the diagnostics, Fletcher Jones MB, one of the largest MB dealers in the US indicated that the balancing shaft gear was more than likely stripped. The cost of repairs about $5,400. MB USA is willing to deduct about $850 towards the repairs.
This type of repair is unusual for a car with only 81,000 miles, especially when it is a MB.
9th Dec 2010, 23:01
I have a 2006 ML350, 72,000km (44,000 miles) in the Toronto area. Dealer confirmed it's the balance shaft. MB Canada took 4 days to get back to the dealer. They have offered to cover only the parts. They expect me to pay $4,200 for a SUV that has only 44,000 miles, and the light started to come on at 39,000 miles intermittently. This engine is babied and all maintenance records are intact. I even sent them a blog on another Canadian consumer that had the same issue with 88,000km, and they covered him fully, no questions asked under the good will warranty. Any help that you can provide, please email me or call. fabriziog@bell.net 416 735 1927
Hoping someone can assist...
Fab.
27th Apr 2011, 07:14
I am along with you. My 2006 ML 350, 47,000. Replaced the front trans axle, NOW 51,000. Have timing shaft problem, inferior gear on the end gear is too soft. Should be a product recall, found in batches 2006, 2007 and some 2008 models ML 350.
11th Jan 2012, 18:51
I bought a ML350 2010 new for my wife, and it has been a total nightmare. We have had it in the shop 5 times for a dead battery since buying new, and all we hear is this is a parasitic battery, and it is my fault, because we do not drive the car on a daily basis. 56000 thousand dollars for the car, it becomes dead within months and they cannot fix the problem. I have never heard of a parasitic battery, and if a thing does exist with Mercedes, then we should have been told of this, for I never would have got the car.
Now I've got a car that has to be jumped every day, and I always have jumper cables in the car for emergency if it does not start. Please do not support this company. If anybody has has this problem and has corrected it, please let us know.
13th Jan 2012, 09:08
Like many things... they don't make them like they used to. And that includes cars and batteries.
I have several cars, motorcycles and desert quads, all with batteries. I used to go through batteries until I bought a trickle charger at Walmart in the auto section for about 22.00. Now I trickle charge all my vehicles once every two months, and I have two vehicles that I need to do once a month, because they seem to run low quicker than the others. You can leave it on until the fail safe device turns green to tell you it's done. Most take 2-8 hours per charge... some take more.
Also I have had stronger chargers in the past, but the trickle charger tend to be very forgiving on the batteries. Also I have distilled water on hand to check the water level that sometimes goes down over the years. Distilled water only. This little device has saved me a lot of money in car batteries over the years.
27th Nov 2012, 23:17
I would like to be contacted for the suit. I have an 2006 ML350 and was quoted $5000 for balance shaft repair. I just completed a repair of the manifold for $2235.07. I feel ripped off and will never buy another Mercedes. This was a known defect and I was never told about it. Email: mllyons@elp.rr.com.
27th Nov 2012, 23:21
I have an ML350 that I bought new. It has had problems over the years with shifting, leaking, timing, manifold, etc... Last week I was told that the balance shaft was the reason the engine light was on, and it would cost me $5,000 to repair. I am done with Mercedes. I have poured more money into it than it is worth. I am disgusted and feel cheated.
12th Mar 2013, 13:07
I have a 06 ML 350, which we did all of the oil changes/tune up services A, B, C, etc... at the dealer, and the engine light is on with numerous issues, including shaft problem. I refuse to pay over 5k for what is clearly a defect. Will continue to research and fight the dealer.
13th Mar 2013, 16:46
Hi, I am from BC Canada. I have a 2006 ML 350. I'm having an engine light on problem due to the balance shaft gear stripping. Mercedes knows about this problem, but fails to do anything about it. If anyone is filing a class action suit, I am with you. I can be reached at harry.future@yahoo.com.
22nd Apr 2013, 16:52
I too have the same balance shaft problem, ML350, 114,000KM. What are they (MB) doing about this?
Ottawa Ontario, count me in.
4th Feb 2010, 16:33
Your balance shaft issue looks like it is becoming a common issue. I received several of the MB bulletins, the last from April 2009 on this issue. MB knows it is an issue with the part, but refuses to either recall or pay for repairs for those of us out of warranty. I am currently speaking to an attorney to start a class action case to have this issue fixed. I can be reached at greg@suddreth.com or 815-557-5731 Greg.