Driving car at 55 miles per hour when harmonic balancer failed, lost power steering, was able to direct car to side of road. Had car towed to shop who diagnosed problem, suggesting it go to a mb dealer. Had car towed to dealer where

- Deltaville, VA, USA

The crank shaft balancer disintegrated without warning at 40 mph resulting in partial engine destruction, oil pan, fan blade, fan shroud, idler pulley, etc. Car was towed to local mbz dealer and repairs completed in amount of $1584. Mbz area representative offered 50% compensation. Mercedes Benz of North America was contacted for compensation of balance and obliged. The failure of the crankshaft balancer might not be considered a safety issue but the immediate loss of power steering as a result most certainly is! I hate to think of what would have been the consequences of this incident had my wife been driving the car in traffic at freeway speed. It is my contention that Mercedes Benz was well aware of this problem (reference: Mb tech tips, December 1, 2000, page 4) as well as 27 pages of owner documentation on an internet website < mercedesshop.com > it should have been the subject of a safety recall!

- Danville, CA, USA

Failure of harmonic crankshaft balancer in 1998 Mercedes Benz E320.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

The harmonic balance, located in the crankshaft, failed and caused internal engine damage. Also, sun roof frame was fractured.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

1998 Mercedes E320 at different times, the driver and passenger doors locked by themselves while the vehicle was running. In June of 2003 the consumer heard a loud noise from the engine, the vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who immediately diagnosed the problem as the crankshaft dampner which was in pieces, the rubber drive belt damaged the engine front cover and engine oil pan. In September 2003 the doors unlocked by themselves while the consumer driving and was unable to lock them manually, also when the consumer turned the vehicle off the windows rolled down by themselves and the doors locked by themselves. The rubber gaskets around the front head lights leaked water, the dash lights burned out constantly, the engine light illuminated constantly and the vehicle burned a quart of oil per month, the air condition was rebuilt twice, the starter failed and the vehicle did not shift properly.

- Arlington, VA, USA

Consumer called complaining about having problem with engine shuting off. Consumer was driving on the highway when the vehicle shut off leaving the consumer with no power steering or brake power. Manufacturer was contacted, and stated that there was no problems with the vehicle.

- Upper Montclair, NJ, USA