Certain Mercedes-Benz models 2005- 2007 M272 V6 and M273 V8-??s have faced or are facing issues regarding the balance sprocket in which drives the camshaft and crankshaft of the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz had made a decision to make certain engine components out of soft metals, when such metals are not adequate in handling the stress of the engine. In particular, in many cases, the balance sprocket was made with inadequate materials and gradually deteriorated to the point in which it could not engage the timing chain and cause camshaft-crankshaft misalignment. I personally did not experience such failure yet but it is more of a concern as this is a common issue, the repair is quite substantial and the failure can damage the engine even more

- Wurtsboro, NY, USA

Engine codes P0016 and P0017 reads cam shaft and crank shaft correlation it is everywhere on the internet and on the Mercedes Benz Forum.This is a know problem that Mercedes has ignored. its on all 2004 thru 2008 vehicles with the 3.5 engine. Calls for a balancer shaft replacement. This should definitely be a recall issue.The industry knows that is was poorly manufactured part. Your help with rectifying this issue would greatly help the and restore the reputation of Mercedes and restore faith in Mercedes Benz owners. My vehicle is a 2006 E350 4 Matic with only 113,634 miles

- Dracut, MA, USA

Driving the vehicle on several occasions on Interstate 66 and the vehicle spontaneously went into limp mode. Now we find out it's a balance shaft issue and is a known problem from Mercedes in the M272 engines for our 2006 E350 4-matic. They evidently used balance shafts with materials that were too soft, resulting in premature wearing of the balance shafts with all of the M272 engines produced during this time having the problem. There was a previous class action lawsuit, which Mercedes settled, however, the consumers were not adequately notified and no recall was ever issued for the cars. Now we have 2nd or 3rd owners having these problems that didn't get a notice and have no idea there is a huge expensive and dangerous problem with their vehicle. On I-66 traffic moves at 70 mph (regular lanes) or 75 mph (express lanes). Having the vehicle spontaneously go into limp mode because of this engine issue is dangerous and could have caused a fatal accident on multiple occasions for us. Mercedes should be recalling all of these engines and fixing them properly before someone gets injured or killed. When I spoke with Mercedes, they said because I was not involved in the class action suit at that time, they were not willing to fix the car or pay for any portion of the repair, which they quoted me as costing $16,228.96. The problem is the Mercedes went into limp mode on multiple occasions and there was no check engine light to indicate what the problem was for several months. We had no warning that this was going to happen which created a dangerous situation while driving. There were several incidents on different dates spanning months before a check engine light came on with codes and Mercedes could identify the problem specifically was the balance shaft failure.

- Marshall, VA, USA

We just purchased a 2006 Mercedes for our teenage sons and had a dealer look at it before we purchased it. They told us there were a couple of codes that were worth watching but that it wasn-??t anything significant right now. After the car started jerking and shaking while driving it, we brought it in to dealership where they told us it had a common code for Mercedes in this timeframe P0016. Repair estimate is nearly $5000 to replace timing chain and balance shaft, or a new engine which would be roughly the same. After researching on my own upon being told this code, I found all of the information about the class action lawsuit and settlement, which of course we are too late to be a part of. The dealer said there is a potential that the car could just seize up at some point, so I don-??t want my young sons to be out on the road when that happens. I am very frustrated and upset that this wasn-??t a recall since it apparently affected a huge amount of vehicles manufactured within this time frame. There is a specific list of engines with known issues and ours is among them. Mercedes Benz should be held responsible for making this right because it was definitely a quality issue. Now we are stuck with an unsafe vehicle, or a massive expense due to defect.

- Duluth, MN, USA

Balance shaft issues possible cause of vehicle stalls and safety concerns.

- Ingleside, IL, USA

The crankshaft pulley is a two piece item. When excessive pressure is on it the pieces separate and disable the car. Upon replacing the belt or belt tensioner more pressure is exerted on the crankshaft pulley. Thus it fails and again disables the vehicle. When doing either of the replacement tasks Mercedes fails to check this or mention it to customers. Thus months later it fails and previous belt replacement of belt tensioner replacement has to be done again. This creates a dual expense without fixing the issue the first time. Expense is in the thousands.

- Robbinsdale, MN, USA

I need help with my crankshaft please I see a lot of people are having the same problem

- Toledo, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, a warning message of 'restricting system manufacture' illuminated and 07:02 the vehicle lost all power. The contact lost control of the steering, and the brakes failed. As a result, the contact crashed into a wall at 8-10 mph, but did not sustained injuries. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normal however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The contact called an unknown dealer and informed them of the failure and was provided with the number to NHTSA. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,663.

- Victorville, CA, USA

This vehicle is a threat to my health with all the problems I'm having with it. I have to press extra had to stop. Had brakes checked and there was no problem. There is a bad gasoline leak and loud smell of gas when I fill up. Looked under rear seat and saw gas on gas tank. Dried gas up and the big puddle returned. Can I drive this car? I need someone to tell me what to do. The last and most worrisome thing to me is that there are 2 dtc codes coming up causing the check engine light to come on. Had mechanic to clear then but they come right back when car is started. I need to get this car inspected. Someone tell me what to do. Mechanic said that the code indicate a problem with the engine and that it might take $8700 to repair every thing. I dont have that type of money. This is the car makers problem. Who is looking out for me. Is the goverment doing there job when it comes to this car. Heard there are more cars like this. Oh this is a 2006 Mercedes E350. Will the goverment, dealer or manufacturer buy this car from me. This is a plea for help from anywhere. They say there is a recall on this car but when it came out there was 1 year left on car warranty before it ran out. The car didn't quit running when the stalling to repair these cars took place. Some one is in someones back pocket. Someone needs to do their job and get this problem taken care of once and for all. You may lose some friends in the process but this is better than someone losing their life. This vehicle has haad problems stationary and while moving.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

2006 Mercedes ML350 balance shaft - class action lawsuit - defective. Went into low gear while running. Will not come back to normal. Code from diagnosis states the problem as timing chain. Mercedes states " maybe fixed in good faith". bad balance shaft from factory. Many problems with this defective part. But we need money up front to fix which we don't have. From Mercedes repair shop.

- Toledo, OH, USA

Car had quarter tank when bought. Drove out gas and put about another quarter tank of gas in. Drove this out. Smelled no fumes. Filled tank up. Have smelled loud gas smell for 1 week now.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Regardless of vehicle movement gas leak from fuel tank located under back seat above exhaust system. Constant gas smell, and fuel gauge always jumping up and down again regardless of motion. Check engine lights indicate faulty coolant temperature sensor, and faulty fuel level sensor. Dealership is refusing to cover tank assembly replacement under pzev warranty of 15yrs / 150,000 miles in state of California. Vehicle is 2006, with 109K miles. Documentation of trouble codes not available at time of reporting, but can be provided upon future request. Fuel runs down the side of the tank narrowly missing the exhaust, potential fire hazard.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Takata recall. ABS malfunction, brake sensor

- Doral, FL, USA

Mercedes-Benz V6 M272 engines have timing chain problems caused by balance shaft failures which Mercedes has known about for year. Faulty gears wear out prematurely, excessively, and without warning, causing the vehicle to malfunction, the 'check engine light' to remain illuminated, and the vehicle to misfire or stop driving. Weak materials were used for the balance shaft sprockets and the timing chain guide, Mercedes never contacted its owners about the defect which can cause the engine to halt and the car to stop mid-traffic. The check engine light comes on the vehicle at every start, throwing a P0016 and P0017 trouble code, which returns even after clearing and restart. After going to several mechanics, all have noted that the balance shaft (within the engine) requires repair an issue Mercedes has know about for several years, and had even issued its mechanics with service bulletins (April 23, 2009, see attached), but has never notified its car owners of the hazardous driving during any of its service at the dealership or has not notified with any other communication. Engines with serial numbers lower than M272 engine serial no. 2729..30 468993 have the defective parts at manufacture, which is affecting my Mercedes vehicle.

- Marlboro, NJ, USA

I arrived home after driving 2 miles from work and when I stopped I saw smoke coming from the engine. I turned off the car and opened the hood. The smoke would almost stop and then become thick again, in cycles of about 1 minute. The smoke was coming from the cooling fan. After several cycles it burst into flames. Fortunately we were ready with a fire extinguisher and put the fire out right away. The fuse, which I believe should have popped and stopped the cycling of the fan, never did blow. I bought my car used but it only has 50,000 miles on it. All information in the carfax indicates it was maintained. I didn't take pictures of the fire.

- Saint Helens, OR, USA

Fuel pump leaking fumes (and fuel?). while parked and preparing to come home the fuel pump failed and the car refused to start. It will not be repaired unless it is under the extended warranty. I am trying to learn if it will be covered under a extended warranty.

- Chester, VA, USA

Check light

- San Francisco, CA, USA

I have check engine light on, nobody "mechanic" know to fix this problem. I have codes: 1-P0016 2-P0017 3-P2195 4-P2198 5-P0171 6-P0174

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

Timing belt sprocket lost teeth on it due to it not being strong enough dealer need to replace this part since it part of engine this part should not be giving it like this

- Duarte, CA, USA

The contact owned a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350W. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags deployed. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The contact's vehicle was towed from the scene to Mercedes-Benz of Ontario (3787 E guasti rd, Ontario, ca 91761), but was not diagnosed. The contact's insurance company confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

- Chino, CA, USA