NHTSA Complaint #11197112 — 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C250

WHEN STARTING CAR, THERE IS AN AUDIBLE 3 SECOND ENGINE RATTLE BEFORE THE ENGINE FULLY ENGAGES. ONCE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED IT AS FAILING CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. THE REPAIR ALSO ENTAILS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAINS. REPAIRS TO COST JUST OVER $5,000. COMMENTARY FROM THE MECHANIC INDICATES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS ENGINE WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS JUST BEYOND THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. ONLINE SEARCHES HAVE CONFIRMED HIS ASSERTION. MY VEHICLE HAS 80,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER MISSED A SERVICE. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT OF EVERY SERVICE. A CRITICAL ENGINE COMPONENT SUCH AS THIS WITH SUCH A COSTLY REPAIR PROCEDURE SHOULD NOT BE THIS COMMON. IT IS THE RESULT OF A POOR DESIGN AND AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS SHOULD FALL ON THE MANUFACTURER.