Vehicle recall

Th02msn

Looking for everyones opinion on this….

I was served with a recall for my Mercedes ML350 (2011) on 26th May this year for a brake servo fault.  The recall stated that the vehicle must not be driven.  I followed that instruction.

MB Technician came to house and tested it and it was deemed faulty.  Technician sent me text to explain vehicle had failed his checks and that a new brake servo was required. Vehicle was taken to local dealership.  Had been receiving updates every few days to say the part was not available and there was a major back order.  

It was an inconvenience but couldn’t be helped.

So this morning, I got a phone call from dealership to say that Mercedes have changed their approach to this recall…. They now do 2 checks and if it passes the second check, your vehicle is good to go.  

Dealership did this checks on my vehicle and it has passed on the second check so was told vehicle is ready to collect.

It seems very very strange to me that my vehicle was deemed faulty and instructed not to drive from 26th May but now (and with no work done on vehicle) it’s miraculously fine.

It appears MB are moving the goalposts to save on expenses but jeopardising safety!

Called up dealership and explained I want to see both tests being performed (and both to pass) Only then would I be happy to take car away.  They told me that they cannot repeat the tests as it can cause damage to the vehicles electronics etc.  It all seems very sketchy.

I really do have a genuine safety concern here. Brakes of all things

Whats everyones thoughts and what would you recommend for next step? 

Thanks

shiraz99

Th02msn said:

Looking for everyones opinion on this….

I was served with a recall for my Mercedes ML350 (2011) on 26th May this year for a brake servo fault.  The recall stated that the vehicle must not be driven.  I followed that instruction.

MB Technician came to house and tested it and it was deemed faulty.  Technician sent me text to explain vehicle had failed his checks and that a new brake servo was required. Vehicle was taken to local dealership.  Had been receiving updates every few days to say the part was not available and there was a major back order.  

It was an inconvenience but couldn’t be helped.

So this morning, I got a phone call from dealership to say that Mercedes have changed their approach to this recall…. They now do 2 checks and if it passes the second check, your vehicle is good to go.  

Dealership did this checks on my vehicle and it has passed on the second check so was told vehicle is ready to collect.

It seems very very strange to me that my vehicle was deemed faulty and instructed not to drive from 26th May but now (and with no work done on vehicle) it’s miraculously fine.

It appears MB are moving the goalposts to save on expenses but jeopardising safety!

Called up dealership and explained I want to see both tests being performed (and both to pass) Only then would I be happy to take car away.  They told me that they cannot repeat the tests as it can cause damage to the vehicles electronics etc.  It all seems very sketchy.

I really do have a genuine safety concern here. Brakes of all things

Whats everyones thoughts and what would you recommend for next step? 

Thanks

Or, they were being overcautious in the first instance and now with a further test can prove to the relevant authorities that no safety issues exist if it passed.

What's your next step? If you're that concerned pay for them to fit a new brake servo.

Th02msn

Im not quite sure what to make of your comment Shiraz… 

The technician found the brake servo to be faulty at time of inspection.  I have that in writing via text msg.

My parents car was done on site during same visit - theres was found to be satisfactory, so there was obviously a clear difference in the inspection and/or their electrical diagnosis.

I should not be responsible for replacing a part that is faulty due to a shortcoming of MB.

Car_54

Th02msn said:

Im not quite sure what to make of your comment Shiraz… 

The technician found the brake servo to be faulty at time of inspection.  I have that in writing via text msg.

My parents car was done on site during same visit - theres was found to be satisfactory, so there was obviously a clear difference in the inspection and/or their electrical diagnosis.

I should not be responsible for replacing a part that is faulty due to a shortcoming of MB.

But they're saying the part is not faulty. If I understand correctly, the initial test process was inadequate.

Th02msn

The initial test was done with the MB diagnostic tool (computerised). Why would it have shown ‘failed’ for any other reason than the unit was faulty?!
As well as that - the rubber band around the servo was removed and corrosion was extensive to say the least.

tedted

It's not as bad as the headlines would have you believe (is it ever?) Essentially there is a rubber band around the joint of the brake booster, it's been found that this rubber band can hold moisture allowing corrosion to develop which can lead to pin-holes in the brake booster with consequent loss of boost. The work instructions are basically cut off the rubber band, inspect for any rust marks and measure them. If over a certain size and quantity, then the brake booster needs replacing, further, check the measured braking effort in the ESP (ABS in English) if over a specific threshold, then its passes, if not, replace brake booster. We've checked about 50 of our alloted 118, so far, only one needs remedial action.

The_Fat_Controller

Already on the go here, what did MB UK say to you ?

It gets very confusing when two identical topics are running.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6368589/vehicle-recall/p1

Th02msn

MB UK are saying they have changed their protocol towards the recall.  They are now doing 2 tests.  If the first one doesn’t pass, they try it again. As long as second one passes - your ‘good’ to go!
Personally, I think any defect with the vehicles braking system should be top priority and replaced asap. Its just not good enough.

Grumpy_chap

It seems like sound and natural progression of resolving an issue.
The potential is identified and there is a quick initial test, but it means lots of false positives.
With experience, a more refined inspection can be brought in that means quicker assessment and more through assessment so the number of false positives is reduces and cars can be put back into use quicker.

shiraz99

Th02msn said:

The initial test was done with the MB diagnostic tool (computerised). Why would it have shown ‘failed’ for any other reason than the unit was faulty?!
As well as that - the rubber band around the servo was removed and corrosion was extensive to say the least.

But as you've already said, that single test has now been shown to be inadequate so they've added a second test, which your car has now past.

You say you don't think you should be responsible "for replacing a part that is faulty due to a shortcoming of MB", well the reality is MB's responsibility ended on your 11 year old car many years ago when the warranty ran out. They are saying your car is not a safety risk so if you don't agree then the responsibility of getting a fix installed is entirely yours.

shiraz99

Th02msn said:

MB UK are saying they have changed their protocol towards the recall.  They are now doing 2 tests.  If the first one doesn’t pass, they try it again. As long as second one passes - your ‘good’ to go!
Personally, I think any defect with the vehicles braking system should be top priority and replaced asap. Its just not good enough.

The MB technical experts don't agree with you.