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Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with M272 or M273 engines are equipped with defective gears that cause the vehicle to malfunction, according to a class action lawsuit filed in New Jersey federal court.
According to the Mercedes-Benz M272 and M273 engine class action lawsuit, these engines are equipped with defective gears in their balance shafts (in the case of the M272 engines) or with defective idle gears (in the case of the M273 engines) that wear out prematurely, excessively and without warning, causing the vehicle to malfunction, the “check engine light” to remain illuminated, and the vehicle to misfire and/or stop driving.
The only way to correct this problem, the lawsuit says, is to have the balance shaft or idle gear replaced, which is a large-scale repair job, costing customers thousands of dollars and leaving them without a car for weeks at a time.
The Mercedes balance shaft gear and idle gear class action lawsuit claims that internal company documents prove that Mercedes has known about these defects at least as early as August 2007, but has failed to take appropriate corrective action and has concealed the defects from unsuspecting owners and lessees.
“Mercedes has known all along about the existence of a defect with the balance shaft gears in its M272 engines and idle gears in its M273 engine, yet it has concealed that knowledge and deliberately omitted any information or dissemination about its existence,” the class action lawsuit says. “Mercedes’ concealment and its omission of any disclosure of the defect in the affected automobiles was not merely a case of innocent omission or misrepresentation, but rather represents an intentional campaign to fraudulently deceive the buying public.”
The Mercedes-Benz M272 and M273 engine class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of a nationwide class of owners and lessees who have vehicles equipped with M272 engines bearing serial numbers up to 2729..30 468993 and M273 engines bearing serial numbers up to 2739..30 088611.
The Mercedes M272 engine is reportedly installed in the following Mercedes-Benz vehicles:
Model Years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010:
C 230
SLK 350
CLS 350
E 230
Model Years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010:
CLS 280
CLK 280
C 280
E 280
SL 280
C 350
E 350
S 350
SL 350
Viano
Model Years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010:
R 280
R 350
ML 250
Sprinter
Model Years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010:
S 280
Model Years 2008, 2009, 2010:
CLC 230
CLC 350
The Mercedes M273 engine is reportedly installed in the following Mercedes-Benz vehicles:
Model Year 2006:
E 500 and E 550
CL 500 and CL 550
CLS 500 and CLS 550
GL 500 and GL 550
Model Year 2007:
GL 450
S 450
ML 450
Model Year 2008:
ML 500 and ML 550
Model Years 2006 and 2009:
CLK 500 and CLK 550
For more information, read the Mercedes-Benz M272 and M273 engine class action lawsuit here.
Updated October 15th, 2010
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
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146 thoughts onMercedes M272 & M273 Engine Class Action
I own a 2008 R350 and started discovering the hesitation and lag in the acceleration over a year ago. I took it to my certified MB mechanic and he tells me it’s nothing, it’s just my imagination. But it continues. I take it back to him again and he tells me it’s the fluid in the transfer care and the air flap control that was sticking. Now I’m finding out it’s the balance shaft. Can’t win. I thought buying a MB would allow me to enjoy a good ride for awhile. Really mistaken. Don’t think I’ll buy another. Hope it’s not to late to become part of this lawsuit. Please let me know how I can join.
Sue them under your states lemon law.
Engine light is On. MB 2006 CLS350 Balance shaft defective. Cost round 8000K.. I Want to be a part of this
Thank you Tom for the class information. Same issue — $8100 estimate on a 2006 R350. We are going to ask the dealership for some help, but are not holding our breath.
engine light came on, 2006 Morristown MB said it is the balance shaft sprocket and a $6900 cost. Please add me to law suit. Please email claim form.
Just got the GREAT NEWS! $8000 est. for this repair………I will be part of this Class Action against MB!I I can be reached at the above email address!
I would like a claim form
I have a 2009 cls550 that’s having this type of problem with 75000 miles on it.
I own a 2007 E350 MB . The check engine light came on at around 70000 miles had to replace the shaft assy.( balance shaft gear wiped out). It cost me out of my pocket $3778.38. The work was performed at MB of Fayetteville, N.C. I would like to be included in the class action lawsuit . Thank you
My wife and I are the original owners of a 2006 M-B ML350 (9 yrs old). The vehicle has 38,000 original miles on it to date. This model/year MB is not even listed as liable to be defective on this site, yet there are numerous 2006/ML350 complaints. On another ConsumerAffairs site it was stated that this defect on M272 engines usually becomes noticeable after 55,000 miles of operation, meaning that it is MILES generated (as are most mechanical failures) and has absolutely NOTHING to do with the vehicles age. Our problem is that based on our standard usage to date we will barely be at 45,000 miles when the alloted (per settlement)10 years has expired. NOW WHAT DOES ONE DO UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ??? This is nothing but DISCRIMINATION to the conservative owner/operator !!!!
I am in the same boat as you. E550 2007. Bought in fall 2006 . What a disappointment. I paid with tax over 70 k for the car new. Pile of junk now.
I would like a claim form to join in on the class action settlement