I sent MB an email about my faulty wiring harness and this is what I got back. She said if they got enough complaints then they would do something about it. Please Flood her office with calls:


Dear Mr. Justice,

Thank you for your recent e-mail to our former President and CEO, Paul
Halata and the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Dieter Zeitsche. We have been
asked to respond on their behalf.

In order to address your inquiry we require additional information.
Therefore kindly contact us at your earliest convenience to provide us with
your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the local dealer that you have
been working with, so we may research your concerns. We can be reached at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (367-6372). My direct extension is 4619.

We appreciate the opportunity to review your concerns and look forward to
hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Nicole S.
Customer Relations Liaison
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

 

Herr Justice, Mercedes knows they have issues with the wiring harness in some of their models. Both of the models I own have a history of this problem, one of them even being the hallowed 500e. So on to your problem, it's my understanding that MB USA has basically left the solution in the hands of it's dealers. The dealerships are empowerred to replace the harness, if they so choose, and bill it back to MB as a "waranty adjustment", although an unorthodox one.

I am speaking from my own experience only, but let me caution you, it is totally up to the whim of the dealer and the particular service advisor you deal with.

On my 95 e320 wagon the harness had deteriorated and when I brought it in for the 100k, they listed it as work that needed to be completed. I spoke with the advisor, told her that I was aware that this a known issue for this model and asked it ther had been a formal recall. She replied "No, but I'll look into it". When I picked up the car I was told it had been replaced grattis, and no more was said.

I did not purchase the car from this dealer (McGeorge in Richmond, Va), and have only had major svcs done by them. The dealer in Charlotte (Beck) who had done other repairs quoted me a replacement price but did not offer any assistance, just a shrug and a "well, tough schnikeys" attitude.

SOOOOO, try your local dealer, with a smile and polite demeanor, with your knowledge of your car's strengths and failings, they may be inclined to do the extra paperwork and hook you up.

Good luck, Brian.