MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC
303 Perimeter Center North, Suite 202
Atlanta, GA, 30346
Phone: (770) 705-0600
Fax: (770) 705-0117
MBUSA.com

TO:

RE:

Mercedes-Benz Dealer Principals, General
Managers, Service Managers, Warranty
Administrators and Bookers
UPDATED - Warranty Coverage Extension:
Balance Shaft and Idle Gear / Model Year
2005-2007 Vehicles Equipped with M272 or
M273 Engines Bearing Serial Numbers Up to
2729..30 468993 or 2739 ..30 088611,
Respectively

FROM:

DATE:

David Tait, Department Manager, Warranty
Services, Engineering Services
Thomas Brunner, Department Manager, Vehicle
Compliance and Analysis, Engineering Services

October 30, 2015

WARRANTY COVERAGE EXTENSION
(Updated NCU (original dated October 20, 2015) – Includes Damage Code Information on Page 2)
To enhance the satisfaction of our customers, avoid further costs of litigation and return focus to its core
businesses, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) entered into a settlement regarding claims relating to the
replacement of sintered steel balance shaft sprockets and idle gears in certain—but not all—2005-2007 model year
vehicles with M272 & M273 engines. As part of the settlement, MBUSA offers sliding-scale extended warranty
coverage for replacement of balance shafts and idle gears encompassed by LI03.30-P-050027, up to the lesser of
10 years or 125,000 miles.
Which Vehicles:
•

•

Model Year 2005-2007 vehicles that are equipped with M272 or M273 engines bearing serial numbers up
to 2729..30 468993 or 2739 ..30 088611, respectively — if these vehicles have not had a balance shaft
sprocket or idle gear replaced after October 2006. Vehicles falling outside the qualifying serial number
range and/or who received a replacement after October 2006 do not have a sintered steel part, and
therefore are not covered by the extended warranty discussed.
In model years 2005-2007, vehicles with M272 or M273 engines were sold under the following
commercial nameplates: ML350, SLK280/300, SLK 350, C230, C280, C350, C350 4Matic, C280 Wagon
4Matic, CLK350, CLK350 Cabriolet, E350, E350 4Matic, E350 Wagon, R350, R350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic,
GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic, CLK550, CLK550 (Cabriolet), E550, E550 4Matic, CL550, CLS550, S550,
S550 4Matic, SL550. Please note, however, that not all vehicles of these types are within the Settlement
Class. Rather, only vehicles with a qualifying engine serial number are provided with the extended warranty
coverage discussed.

Which Parts are Covered: The extended warranty covers only the diagnosis and repairs outlined by LI03.30-P050027, including replacement of a confirmed worn, sintered steel balance shaft sprocket or idle gear (collectively
the “Covered Components”).
What are the Terms of the Extended Warranty: Warranty on the “Covered Components” will be extended on
the following sliding-scale of coverage from the original 4 years / 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) to 10
years/ 125,000 miles (whichever occurs first commencing from the In Service Date).
•

For covered vehicles with sintered steel balance shaft sprockets or idle gears needing repairs outlined by
LI03.30-P-050027—after diagnosis pursuant to the terms of that Local Information—and which

CBM-MERCEDES\SF667278-1

MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC
303 Perimeter Center North, Suite 202
Atlanta, GA, 30346
Phone: (770) 705-0600
Fax: (770) 705-0117
MBUSA.com

NCU – October 30, 2015
Warranty Coverage Extension: Balance Shaft and Idle Gear / Model Year 2005-2007 Vehicles Equipped
with M272 or M273 Engines Bearing Serial Numbers Up to 2729..30 468993 or 2739 ..30 088611,
Respectively
repair date occurs up to and including the lesser of 8 years or 80,000 miles, MBUSA will cover up to 70%
of the reasonable repair amount. Note: There is no double recovery under the settlement—so if the vehicle
owner has other coverage for this repair (e.g., third party warranty coverage), MBUSA will provide warranty
coverage only up to an amount ensuring that a total of 70% of the repair is covered. Generally speaking,
this means that the other 30% of your charges must be collected from the customer;
•

For covered vehicles with sintered steel balance shaft sprockets or idle gears needing repairs outlined by
LI03.30-P-050027—after diagnosis pursuant to the terms of that Local Information—and which repair date
occurs up to and including the lesser of 10 years or 125,000 miles, but greater than 8 years or 80,000
miles, MBUSA will cover up to 38% the reasonable repair amount. Note: There is no double recovery under
the settlement—so if the vehicle owner has other coverage for this repair (e.g., third party warranty
coverage), MBUSA will provide warranty coverage only up to an amount ensuring that a total of 38% of the
repair is covered. Generally speaking, this means that the other 62% of your charges must be collected
from the customer.

This warranty extension applies to covered vehicles regardless of ownership, as long as the repair is needed because
of a warrantable condition that would have been covered had it occurred during the original warranty period.
The warranty extension does not cover any other components or labor to replace the components should
additional repairs be recommended. Check to determine whether there is other warranty coverage for any
additional repairs. Standard warranty terms and exclusions apply to all other components. Repairs are only to be
made following the instructions in LI03.30-P-050027.
VMI will display information regarding this warranty extension in the “Service Packages” section for all affected
vehicles and is detailed below. The effective date of this warranty extension is October 20, 2015.
Service Packages - Covered vehicles will show “EXT - BLNCE SHFT/IDLE GEAR“ as indicated in the “Service Packages” in
VMI. The “Balance Shaft” extended warranty coverage allows replacement of the balance shaft in applicable vehicles
pursuant to LI03.30-P-050027. The following Damage Code can be claimed for this repair: Damage Code 21601 ZZ.
The “Idle Gear” extended warranty coverage allows replacement of the idle gear in applicable vehicles pursuant to
LI03.30-P-050027. The following Damage Code can be claimed for this repair: Damage Code 21602 ZZ.
If a “Covered Component” is diagnosed as needing to be replaced during this extended warranty period, the
necessary repairs will be covered under warranty according to the terms above. A claim should be submitted using
the above mentioned damage codes.
While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, MBUSA is determined to maintain a high level of vehicle quality
and customer satisfaction.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Warranty Services Group (WSG) at 877-974-6287.

CBM-MERCEDES\SF667278-1