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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
Does mecedes c230 kompressor 2005 4 cylinder has a balance shaft problem?
Nop it doesn’t have that issue, the M272 & 273 are both V6 & V8 respectively
I would like to know if this class action suit is still open as of today July 7, 2020.
I am having issues with my 2007 Mercedes Clk 350 ( Check engine light is on)
I had the intake manifold replaced with gaskets and camshaft sensors replaced for $ 2,058.00 and the CEL is still on.
The Mercedes dealership says in order to fix the problem to clear the CEL I must repair the balance shaft which will cost 6,000 – $ 7,000.
Please help, and respond.
Thanks Ms Hicks
i heard the law suit was up to 20 years. ant truth to this.
J’ai une slk280 2006 et le problème de cam est apparue à 110,000km.
Mon auto a présentement 202,000km et je change les spark plug au 10.000km pour étirer la vie du moteur.
Je cherche un moteur sans problème présentement.
Same problems as decribed in the lawsuit with C 230 2006. Please help me on how to fix this?
You can try contacting class counsel on this case. Counsel is listed as Gary S. Graifman of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, & Graifman P.C. and can be Googled for contact information.
We own since it was brand new a 2007 Mercedes CLK 550. It only has 87,000 original miles on it. we now were told by our mechanic that in order to get the engine light off the engine will have to be removed from the car at a cost that will equal its value currently.
Obviously we are very interested to find out if the class action law suit has been settled or that Mercedes will step up and help with these costs for an original owner.
I have a 2006 ML350 and had a bad camshaft problem and they repaired at 55,000 miles and now at 85,000 miles the same thing has happened and they want $7,500 to fix it. I don’t think the car is worth that much. Does anyone have any ideas?
I own a 2008 clk 350 with the m272 engine and i am having the same problems as described in the lawsuit. can i get this fixed or am i at a loss?
You can try contacting counsel with your questions. Counsel is listed as Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman P.C. and can be Googled for contact information.
Have+the+same+problem+with+my+2007 R350.+Please+include+me+in+the+suit.
I own a 2007 c230 and it’s been nothing but problems with sensors. I have 93,000 miles and can’t afford these repairs anymore. Particularly, camshaft/crankshaft position sensors. How do I get ahold of some concerning this recall/ lawsuit deal?
Here I am with a very clean 2006 R350 with 116,000 miles with the bad camshaft problem. A dealer quote of $9000 to pull and repair the engine or replace it for $10,000. Headlight and foglight controller issue adds another $3400. Repairs far exceed the retail value of the car. I am just outside the 10 year limit in the class action suit. I now own a parts car with little if any value.