Update with scary picture - W204 2008 rear subframe failure

[John Hewerdine]

As the thread has dropped down the board I thought that this was the best way to get more people aware of a dangerous fault in my 9yr old C Class. Long story short, about to order a new C Class for March 2018 but needed to put my current Mercedes through the MOT. Failed on corroded brake line, OK. When test driven after the work garage said the car didn't feel right at the rear. Inspection showed corroded and cracked rear subframe (see scary photo attached). Spoke to MB customer service, weren't really interested, said contact my local dealer. Local dealer said would have to get the car to them (it's not safe to drive) then they would take photos, sent to MB and the may/may not get involved. Not an option as the MB subframe is £800 and on back order, I need the car. I now have a used frame and new bushes on order. A few more scary issues arose when I spoke to the dealership.

1. Warranty Manager mentions in hushed tones when asked why a 9yr old vehicle had the much damage " well MB do have a corrosion problem"!
2. More worrying he said "well you have got a full service history with us". True I have had 2 services with an independant MB specialist but all the others, including the last 2, with the dealership. He said " yes, but the last 2 were value services (cheaper option they offer for older vehicles). I asked was he saying that they check all safety critical issues on a full service but not all safety critical issues on a value service. The reply was that they used a different checklist! He said his son has the same car as me and he would be checking it out asap! SHAME ON YOU MB FOR PUTTING MY, AND MY WIFE'S LIFE AT RISK!

I'm not stupid enough to to think other brands don't do this but why would you buy from a brand that you KNOW do this. My love affair with MB is over. Thanks for reading my rant, if it helps anybody identify a problem with they're vehicle I'm happy.

I've had exactly the same problem with my C class...MB don't give a damn....I wrote to them and got a reply saying they weren't responsible due to 'variables'...what a load of tripe....it's my first and last Merc...always wanted one....so very disappointed by a brand that likes to promote 'quality'. Grrrrrr!!

 

[Jim2]

That's a sight for sore eyes, Lucky you Submariner !!!!!! LOL

 

[alexanderfoti]

I would be checking the anti-corrosion warranty wording very carefully with a view to taking them to small claims court. Others have done so and have been successful.

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

Let's face it,Mercedes as a car company,should do it properly everytime when manufacturing a car,this is a serious defect built into these cars that is putting owners and other road users at risk.I had my family in the car when I braked on a dual carriageway and the subframe gave way on the passenger side,causing the car to pull sharply to the left,which I had to correct quickly.it's just as well I was in the inside lane doing a reasonable speed,who knows what could have happened if I had been on the outside lane of the motorway,with less time and room to control the car.
I took the car to Mercedes for an inspection on Thursday,and the report concludes that the subframe has completely collapsed on the passenger side,and is badly holed on the drivers side.and hence the car is obviously dangerous.
This car has a full service history with 67 K on the clock.and is kept in perfect condition and garaged.
Mercedes can say what they want,the car is completely as it came of the production line,and original.
And when your the rear brake discs which are the original discs, outlast the subframe,there is something fundamentaly wrong with the way it was made.
I'll see what they come back with with the claim on the corrosion warranty.
If they don't sort it out,I will take it further.

 

[Capra]

Was the car parked in the sea overnight?? Is this not covered by the 30 anti-corrosion warranty? If not, what is the point of this warranty.
I have a 2013 W204 and now I am worried that I might have this problem, how would I check?

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

I am making a claim on the warranty,and waiting to hear from Mercedes themselves.Mercedes of Swansea where I had the car from only visually inspect,and take photos of the rust,then send the report to mercedes.who will decide if A: they take the car and repair it:
B:they make a goodwill payment or c:not pay out at all.
If they don't I'll phone them myself,and explain that I will report this to the dvsa.
Who deal with dangerous vehicle faults,and if they deem necessary can make car companies recall a vehicle.
You can fill the form with the dvsa out online.I'd advise everyone who's been affected by this do do it.
The more complaints they have,the more the problem will be deemed a common fault.so they will have to act.

 

[mrmb]

I will have to check my subframe however on my last service I did not notice any rust at all on my 2011 W204 We will see now as the car will be services with Mercedes Dealer sometime this summer.

 

[Capra]

I will have to check my subframe however on my last service I did not notice any rust at all on my 2011 W204 We will see now as the car will be services with Mercedes Dealer sometime this summer.

How do you check the sub-frame?

 

[mrmb]

I have put the car on the lift in the garage. I was trying to stick in the head everywhere , where it was possible to do it. I did not see any sign of the corrosion on my one - 0. The only thing I have noticed that a bit paint fro the break lines that are near the wheel just came out so to extend their life time I might paint them as I do not see a corrosion yet.

 

[Capra]

I have put the car on the lift in the garage. I was trying to stick in the head everywhere , where it was possible to do it. I did not see any sign of the corrosion on my one - 0. The only thing I have noticed that a bit paint fro the break lines that are near the wheel just came out so to extend their life time I might paint them as I do not see a corrosion yet.

So you have a have a lift to check this out? There is a local garage to me with a lift.

 

[mrmb]

My good friend has a garage and he allows me to sue it from time to time if I want to do anything on my car. So I have the access to he lift.

 

[star]

My good friend has a garage and he allows me to sue it from time to time if I want to do anything on my car. So I have the access to he lift.

Not nice to sue your mates garage

 

[Ken_R]

My good friend has a garage and he allows me to sue it from time to time if I want to do anything on my car. So I have the access to he lift.

A 'he lift'! Is your mate a weight lifter?

 

[mrmb]

A 'he lift'! Is your mate a weight lifter?

Hahha i wanwanted to say "to the lift"

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

As an update on my subframe.the report from Mercedes in Swansea was sent to the factory in Germany.
I gave it a week with no reply,so phoned Swansea Mercedes to see what the situation was,they told me they were waiting to hear and would let me know,this was last Friday.
I gave them until Wednesday this week and with no news rang Mercedes head office in Milton Keynes,who said they would look into it further for me.
So I was relieved to receive a phone call from Swansea this afternoon to say they had heard from Stuttgart and that Mercedes will replace the subframe with parts and labour free of charge under the corrosion warranty.
It did take a bit of patience and a few firm but fair phone calls, but it seems that they have come good in the end.
Which is a good response from them really.
So I'm pretty happy to have it resolved.

 

[LostKiwi]

The right result in the end then.

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

Certainly is.
I'm still not entirely happy as to why it should have corroded so badly,and been dangerous.and I was livid at first as to why it had gone the way it did.
But the people and customer service in Milton Keynes are second to none really.
It's the second time I've contacted them about an issue,and it's always been resolved within a few days so kudos to them.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Nice to hear a positive story about MB service and customer service

 

[Capra]

Great outcome, I've also had some body booked in to get repaired on a five year old 204 for free.

 

[CJD]

Great result for you in the end - I'm glad you got it sorted under warranty so FOC.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
My faith in the Mercedes brand is renewed.