Rear subframe replacement recall - MB policy

[rich.g.williams]

I was told a few months ago (during an MOT) that MB had an ongoing rear subframe recall issue going on.

More recently I was buying parts from the local MB dealership (excellent parts backup even for my 2003 car) and happened to notice quite a stack of new rear subframes. Also, on the way out, noticed another pile of old rear subframes in their recycling.

So this reminded me and I got to thinking about the rear subframe on my CL203 (W203) car, specifically whether MB owe me a rear subframe recall! After a good look around on the net it seemed to me that MB have an ongoing issue with rear subframes but that it applies mostly to W204 and other more recently built cars. I didn't find any mention about CL203, W203 rear subframe recalls.

The potential for corrosion on a 20 year old car is a massive issue, every summer I paint the underside of my car to avoid corrosion. In the past I have used cellulose paint, waste twin pack paint, waste oil (waste oil works really well but garages don't like it) this year I bought a 5L can of HMGP HB48 Primer paint that contains Zinc Phosphate.

Does anyone have any more information to fill in the rear subframe gaps as it were? When did the recall issue really begin what cars are affected and so on?

 

[Blobcat]

I was told a few months ago (during an MOT) that MB had an ongoing rear subframe recall issue going on.

More recently I was buying parts from the local MB dealership (excellent parts backup even for my 2003 car) and happened to notice quite a stack of new rear subframes. Also, on the way out, noticed another pile of old rear subframes in their recycling.

So this reminded me and I got to thinking about the rear subframe on my CL203 (W203) car, specifically whether MB owe me a rear subframe recall! After a good look around on the net it seemed to me that MB have an ongoing issue with rear subframes but that it applies mostly to W204 and other more recently built cars. I didn't find any mention about CL203, W203 rear subframe recalls.

The potential for corrosion on a 20 year old car is a massive issue, every summer I paint the underside of my car to avoid corrosion. In the past I have used cellulose paint, waste twin pack paint, waste oil (waste oil works really well but garages don't like it) this year I bought a 5L can of HMGP HB48 Primer paint that contains Zinc Phosphate.

Does anyone have any more information to fill in the rear subframe gaps as it were? When did the recall issue really begin what cars are affected and so on?

Not so much a recall as they replace them when they fail…

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Generally we all keep batting along with our cars until the MOT station fails the rear subframe then it’s ring the local MB dealer time and generally they replace without charge after all they are a safety critical item and should last the life of the car circa 20 years

 

[rich.g.williams]

I'm not a fan of Winter driving when there is salt around. Whenever my car goes onto a ramp I ask to have a look underneath - like to keep an eye on any corrosion.

On a nice Summery day I jet wash the underneath of the car then take it for a good hot drive to dry everything out - then comes the painting session. As they say - a rolling stone gathers no moss.

So guessing that rear subframes is a bit of a touchy subject for MB.

Personally if I had any issue with MB it would be the electronics, I really do not like the "code reading" philosophy - the car should tell us owners/drivers as soon as it detects a fault code much like Alexa can give us the weather forecast. For example I don't want to know and be nagged (every time I start the car) about an ABS/ESP/BAS fault but I do want to know if the car has detected a faulty rear offside wheel speed sensor fault - I can handle this level of information up front.

Let us have honest electronics please.

 

[alexanderfoti]

W204
W212
R172/R171

All of these subframes corrode from the inside out and break at a few key places, supposedly due to missing corrosion treatment or other such issue during manufacture.

I think the reason they are covered is due to legal liability.

I think there is legal liability as they look fine from the outside, right up until they snap, meaning they pass the MOT without even a mention.

Meanwhile, a w203 subframe will be rotten but likely mentioned on the past 6 MOTs before it fails (either mechanically or the MOT)

Just my opinion.

 

[rich.g.williams]

W204
W212
R172/R171

All of these subframes corrode from the inside out and break at a few key places, supposedly due to missing corrosion treatment or other such issue during manufacture.

I think the reason they are covered is due to legal liability.

I think there is legal liability as they look fine from the outside, right up until they snap, meaning they pass the MOT without even a mention.

Meanwhile, a w203 subframe will be rotten but likely mentioned on the past 6 MOTs before it fails (either mechanically or the MOT)

Just my opinion.

Thanks, that all makes sense and fits with what I was told during my last MOT. Hopefully then if rear subframe corrosion starts to show through I have a chance of getting the rear subframe replaced at not much cost.

In the meantime maybe I can spray something like Waxoyl into the inside of the rear subframe.

Looking after a W203(CL203) is never dull! I'm very glad of a good MOT garage (who have taken a liking to the car) they help me out with jobs I can't do myself.

 

[Russ.stopher]

My car just failed MOT on rear sub-frame corrosion...it also had a fracture. Called Mercedes and they fixed for free as "good will"...gave me a courtesy car and was done in a few days. They did try to refuse in the first instance but I insisted and said my garage failed it as a dangerous defect for the fracture and major for the corrosion, they called me back and accepted the work all free of charge. Happy days

 

[Kaz073]

My car just failed MOT on rear sub-frame corrosion...it also had a fracture. Called Mercedes and they fixed for free as "good will"...gave me a courtesy car and was done in a few days. They did try to refuse in the first instance but I insisted and said my garage failed it as a dangerous defect for the fracture and major for the corrosion, they called me back and accepted the work all free of charge. Happy days

What's the model and age of your car?

 

[Blobcat]

What's the model and age of your car?

E220 coupe - C207 2011 (affording to their profile)
Turn your phone landscape and you can see more details on the left of the screen

 

[kcl.uk]

My 2013 E250 with only 67000miles failed MOT due to subframe corrosion. After inspectiion the Mercedes dealer consulted Mercedes and agreed to replace the subframe under warranty. But they insisted on a pre-authorised £250 for any work (or parts replacement) “THEY” feel needed during the process of replacing the subframe - ie they go ahead and spend without consulting me up to £250 . They now called me to ask me to pay for £29.28for 4 sets of bolts and nuts !!!. Few years ago we had a similar issue with our C280, and it was replaced all free.

I feel it is a cheek to ask me to pay for the bolts and nuts replacing the subframe.

Has anyone experienced this similarly?

 

[Blobcat]

My 2013 E250 with only 67000miles failed MOT due to subframe corrosion. After inspectiion the Mercedes dealer consulted Mercedes and agreed to replace the subframe under warranty. But they insisted on a pre-authorised £250 for any work (or parts replacement) “THEY” feel needed during the process of replacing the subframe - ie they go ahead and spend without consulting me up to £250 . They now called me to ask me to pay for £29.28for 4 sets of bolts and nuts !!!. Few years ago we had a similar issue with our C280, and it was replaced all free.

I feel it is a cheek to ask me to pay for the bolts and nuts replacing the subframe.

Has anyone experienced this similarly?

Hello and welcome,

I paid ~£110 for bolts and bits and pieces - I could have argued through MB in Milton Keynes and probably had the money refunded. I didn’t have the time to do it and was happy overall