Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300

Transmission leaks so car starts shifting hard jerking learching. Mechanic says it is a torque converter seal that leaks so needs to be replaced. But have to pull the engine & transmission out to split so the labor is 22-23 hours labor when the part is only like $23 so the repair because of the labor would be about $2200 which we can't afford. The mechanic found so many same vehicles with this problem that there should be a recall. But of course the dealer won't report because they don't want to have to make this expensive repair to so many vehicles. While driving fast or slow accelerating breaking to slow down, taking off at a stop sign stop light going in reverse etc it hesitates to go into gear. Keeps happening multiple times a year we have to keep checking changing the transmission fluid & getting it topped off.