All Investigations » Investigation PE03058

  Defect Investigation of Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure

Investigation of Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure

Subject: Engine crankshaft pulley failure
Components covered:
  • Engine gasoline belts and associated pulleys
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Dec. 17, 2003. It was closed on Apr. 22, 2004. The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist. Odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all mercedes-benz vehicles using the subject component. The subject component failures are progressive in nature and only a small percentage of the complaints and warrant claims involved a failure that had progressed far enough to effect power steering performance (6 of 55 odi complaints reference increased steering effort). There have been no crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. See summary report attached for further detail.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz 163
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz 163
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz 202
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz 202
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz 202
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz 208
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz 210
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz 210
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz 210
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz 215
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz 220
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz C Class
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz C Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz C Class
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz C280
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz C280
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz Cl Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz CL500
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz Clk Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz Clk Class
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz CLK320
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz CLK320
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz CLK430
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz CLK430
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz E Class
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz E Class
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz E320
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz E320
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz E430
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz E430
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz E430
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz M Class
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz M Class
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz M Class
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz ML320
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz ML320
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz ML430
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz ML430
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz Sl Class
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz W163
  • 2000 Mercedes Benz W163

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