2012 Mercedes Benz C250 engine problems

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the rattling sound continued, and the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The independent mechanic provided mobile service and diagnosed the vehicle with cam shaft timing chain adjuster failure. The contact was informed that the cam shaft timing chain adjuster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11681296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The model/year Mercedes-Benz are well known for experiencing this/these particular issues. My research has shown that these year/make/model vehicles are experiencing the same type of mechanical failures nationwide. The issues all relatively begin around 75,000 miles. I've only had my car 3 years putting 30000 on it hardly driven/cared for **Issue Found:** Oil was leaking onto the ignition coil and spark plug of cylinder 3. **Source of Leak:** Valve cover gasket failure. **Recommended Repairs:** - Replace the valve cover gasket (to halt the oil leak). - Replace spark plugs and ignition coil (which were contaminated/damaged by oil). **Relevance to Warranty:** The valve cover gasket is only covered if it fails as a result of an internally lubricated engine part causing damage. Ignition coils and spark plugs are maintenance items and are not covered by warranty plans. **Required Repairs (Identified Mechanical Issues)** - **Coolant Pipe Leak – $850** **Issue:** Coolant leaking from a pipe on the side of the cylinder head. **Relevance to Warranty:** Typically not covered unless it pertains to a failure in a covered system such as the water pump or cylinder head due to an internal breakdown. This is likely classified as an external plumbing component, which is not included. - **Oil Feed Line Leak – $600** **Issue:** Oil leaking from the side of the engine, traced back to the oil feed line. **Relevance to Warranty:** This is not typically covered unless the oil feed line is part of the oil pump system and has failed due to an internal issue (usually regarded as an external line). **Other Items Found (Worsening Issues)** - **Timing Chain Rattle / Cam Adjuster Noise – $6,000** -**Issue:** Rattling sound during startup. **Diagnosis:** Noise emanating from the timing chain and camshaft adjusters. **Relevance to Warranty:** This is covered under Secure Plus, as both the timing chain and camshaft adjusters are recognized as internally lubricated par

NHTSA complaint #11666448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Check Engine and High Pressure Fuel Pump warning lights was illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. 

NHTSA complaint #11652861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

1. The car radio, blue-tooth, speakers, sound, car remote sound. Happened after a battery change by AAA - unsure if it's related. CUstomer service tried to resolve it - radio turns on, but nothing else works. 2. Doors won't unlock outside or inside - except passenegers side is open. 3. Accelerator acting strange - won't pick speed after 30, then 60 4. there was an air bag recal of this car a while ago.

NHTSA complaint #11638695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY VEHICLE, HAS THE ENGINE MAKING NOISE ,WHEN STARTING,, THE LIFTERS RATTLE...I WAS TOLD TO CHECK WITH MERCEDES BENZ FOR RECALL INFO...HOWEVER, THE COMPANY STATES,THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED....IT HAS 52,000 ORIGINAL MILES, AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED...I BELIEVE, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER...PLEASE ADVISE.....I HAVE HAD THE MB DEALER DO A DIAGNOSIS..THEY CONFIRM THE LIFTERS ARE DISFUNCTIONING....

NHTSA complaint #11629391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? As I started my car from a cold start and even when starting the engine, the car was creating this tractor like sound. No system has failed but I read the camshaft adjuster and tensioner pulley has come out of site, which can ruin the engine. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, it was audible by the dealer but I was told that it would be a normal issue on a cold start. Now they will charge $200 for a service diagnosis. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Mercedes Benz gave an extended warranty on the program for extension of 10 years but the problem has been happening for multiple people and it has been happening again that this warrants a recall over a poorly designed part that can destroy the car’s engine. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No such codes or messages. Which is why this is so scary. This incident has been happening for the past 8 months or so and besides a letter about a warranty no such information.

NHTSA complaint #11588738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

1) cranshaft and camshaft position sensors, timing problems and it has to be replaced this is a common damage in Mercedes Benz 2012 c250. 2) this put in risk my life because it can brake the engine in a highway and the car could be off.

NHTSA complaint #11550669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started very rough with a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. On another occasion, while opening the front driver’s side door, the door handle fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11511575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Faulty camshaft adjusters creating timing chain to stretch and tensioners to fail , causing excessive wear to the crankshaft and wear of the teeth resulting in catastrophic damage and complete engine failure ( I have not replaced this timing chain or camshaft adjuster yet but i can hear the timing chain rattling from the defective parts from manufacturer. )

NHTSA complaint #11489131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AUTO IS LESS THAN 100K MILES EXCELLENT CONDITION HAD THE TURBO GASKET GO BAD ON THE AUTO. OIL LEAKING IN THE MAIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ON GROUND DUE TO THE GASKET ISSUE. COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE AND TURBO. GASKET SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD. WHILE AT THE MECHANICS SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME EXACT MODEL OF MERCEDES, NOT SURE THE YEAR BUT IDENTICAL BODY STYLE. REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON 06/07/22 COST THROUGH MECHANIC $465.00 ANY TIME DUE TO PASSING OR EXCELARTION THE ENGINE WOULD MISS OUT AND LOSE POWER FOR THE PASSING OR ESCELARTION.

NHTSA complaint #11468165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The engine in my car died and after inspection by a Mercedes mechanic they concluded the failure was caused by faulty camshafts that have been common in the year and model this car. Mercedes has issued and extended warranty to cover the repairs recognizing this was a manufacturing issue but they are refusing to cover the full cost of repairing my car.

NHTSA complaint #11453794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the variable valve timing solenoid had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure through a voicemail message. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #11440771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

When accelerating to pass a vehicle the check engine light comes on and there is loss power. When this happens there is a huge potential of a crash. The car has to be shut off to try and reset this. When you are on the frwy this puts life at danger. The code is a p002 and if you research it Mercedes is aware of this and is most likely a defective high pressure fuel pump problem that needs replacing but there have been no recalls. I have looked it up on you tube and has been on ongoing issue with no recalls as of yet. I am taking my car to dealer on 11/15/2021 for this issue which they will charge me for even though its a safety issue

NHTSA complaint #11440301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I purchased this 2012 C250 Mercedes from Carmax of Waldorf on 04/26/2017, with 20,046 miles on it. I informed Carmax the engine light was on and the car was rattling at start. I also reported the oil dipstick was broken. When the car was returned, the dipstick was replaced, coolant light off and engine light was off; however, the rattling at start up continued. I reported the problem to Carmax several months later and they pretty much denied fault and went as far to say the car is just cold and does that at startup. For further protection I signed with carshield as my wife drives the car. The car's rattling continued at startup and eventually became difficult to start. I took it to Mercedes of Arlington, Virginia and they stated the timing gear and chain needed replacing. carshield reported back to me that it was a preexisting problem and wouldn't fix it. Meanwhile, we were stuck with a car we were paying on with no one taking the blame. Following research, I found that this is a recurring problem with the 2012 C250 model but there is no recall. I eventually paid approximately $5000 for the engine to be repaired as the engine failed. The engine is currently rattling again; with the engine light coming on constantly. this seems to be a common problem, however, with to consequences and accountability.

NHTSA complaint #11430663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ON HIGHWAY CAR SUDDENLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND LOSSES POWER THIS IS DANGEROUS AT 70 PLUS MILES PER HOUR, ECM CODE READS P0002 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL REGULATOR FAILURE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON UNTIL CAR HAS BEEN SHUT OFF FOR LONGER THAN TEN MINUTES OR IF YOU HAVE A SCANNER YOU CAN ERASE CODE AND DRIVE THE CAR NORMAL, NO PASSING. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT CAR HAS BUCKLE WITH IMMEDIATE POWER LOSS AND WILL ONLY CREAK UP IN LIMP MODE JUST ENOUGH TO GET YOU HOME. I AM A WELL SEASON MECHANIC WITH OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS. PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED BY THIS WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE GOING BACK BEFORE 2012. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS AST WEEK AND TODAY.

NHTSA complaint #11398601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. STARTING WITH ME NOT HAVING ENOUGH POWER FROM A START, IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ENOUGH POWER TO DRIVE AT A SAFE SPEED FROM THE START, AS IF THE VEHICLE LAGS & NO MATTER THE GASOLINE OR SERVICE, THE PROBLEM NEVER CORRECTS. WHEN I'M TRYING TO GAIN SPEED TO MAINTAIN WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC SAFELY THE VEHICLE LAGS NOTABLY BEFORE GAINING SPEED. I'M NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BC THE OIL COOLANT HOSE BURST WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED BUT THE ONLY NOTICE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH WAS THE ENGINE COOLANT WHEN IT WAS LOW. WHEN THE HOSE BURST WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH I HEARD A POP SOUND UNDER THE HOOD, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST, THEN A CLANKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD THAT GOT LOUDER & LOUDER UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, & THEN I NOTICED A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL ON THE GROUND THAT LEFT A TRAIL ALONG THE GROUND FROM MY VEHICLE. THAT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS MY VEHICLE LOST POWER DURING THAT INCIDENT. I'M TOLD BY THE MECHANIC, THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT A WARNING. THE MERCEDES BENZ IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE & RELIABLE LUXURY VEHICLE & NOT A NIGHTMARE TO HAVE FOR THE OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #11385548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

COLD ENGINE VEHICLE JERKING I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES OF FORT MYERS FL AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND I TOOK IT TO SO MANY OTHER PLACES AND STILL CAN'T FIND IT I'M JUST WONDERING IF IT COULD BE A RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11354633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2012 C250 PURCHASED NEW FROM A DEALER. RATTLING ON STARTING ENGINE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. SPOKE WITH MY MECHANIC AND IT IS DUE TO FAULTY CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. REPAIR WILL COST $5000 PLUS AND INVOLVES REPLACING THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS, TIMING CHAIN AND SPROCKETS. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED 10 DAYS AGO WITH APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOT AN EXPENSE I CAN REALLY AFFORD ON REDUCED INCOME DUE TO COVID LOCKDOWN. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR AS THIS PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND I AM REGULARLY ON THE FREEWAY. DRIVING THIS CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE. I PURCHASED A MERCEDES THINKING THEIR REPUTATION FOR SAFETY, QUALITY AND ENGINEERING WOULD PRECLUDE SUCH ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #11354072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING A OF MAYBE TEN MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY . AS SOON AS I WAS OFF THE HIGHWAY ; THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING OF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT .(MALFUNCTION). DAYS BEFORE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. AFTER THEIR RESEARCH I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE . THERE ARE COMPLAINTS AFTER COMPLAINTS LISTED ONLINE IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE, CAM SHAFT ADJUSTERS ETC. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE HANDLED . THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #11350193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

IN A MERCEDES BENZ C250 2012-2014 THERE HAS BEEN MANY REPORTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WHERE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS+TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS FAIL/BREAK. THIS IS A HIGHLY RISK AND SAFETY MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MERCEDES BENZ AS RECALL. BEING NEWER MODEL CARS, THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS SHOULD NOT FAIL. NOT EVEN AT 100K MILES. SOME OF THESE MODELS HAS HAD THEIR CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS+ TIMING CHAIN FAIL AT 46K MILES. WHY IS MERCEDES NOT OWNING UP TO THESE FACTORY FAULTS? WHY ARE NEW MODELS THAT ARE NOT EVEN 10 YEARS OLD HAVE THIS KIND OF ISSUE? THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD. CAUSE YOU GO AT HIGHWAY/FREEWAY SPEED 60 MPH AND YOUR TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, YOU CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH OTHER CARS, AND INJURE YOUR OWN SELF AND PASSENGERS. CAN YOU IMAGINE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BABIES AND DRIVE THESE VEHICLES. WHY IS A HUGECOMPANY LIKE MERCEDES NOT OWNING UP TO THESE DEFECTS? INSTEAD THEY WANT TO CHARGE $4,000-$8,000 TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE WARRANTY THEY STILL HESITATE ON GETTING THIS REPAIR DONE. I JUST WANT TO BE HEARD BECAUSE BEING ONE OF THE MANY REPORTS WITH THIS ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES, IT'S CONCERNING TO SEE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES STILL OUT ON THE ROAD. WHEN THESE PARTS HAVE ARE FAILING, YOU WILL GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT READS "P034062" CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BANK 1 ELECTRICAL FAILURE" AFTER GETTING DIAGNOSED BY MANY SHOPS, AND EVEN MERCEDES BENZ DEALER ALL THE TEST SAY THE WIRING AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS OK. CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS ARE FAILING WILL NEED REPLACING + TIMING CHAIN & TENSIONER. BUT WHY ON SUCH A NEWER CAR? IT SHOULD RUN ABOUT 200K MILES UNTIL IT NEEDS A NEW TIMING CHAIN. CARS BEING SERVICED AT CORRECT INTERVAL & BEING WELL MAINTAINED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A ISSUE. ENGINE WHEN START UP WILL RATTLE. IT WILL SOUND LIKE ENGINE IS FALLING APART. PLUS CAR WILL RUN REALLY ROUGH.

NHTSA complaint #11332005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC, THE OBC CODE WAS P0340 CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACE UNTIL AROUND 250.000 MILES. OTHER OWNER'S OF 2012 C-250 HAVE EXPERIENCE THE CAME ISSUES. MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF POSSIBLE DEFECTED PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #11309045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND UPON QUICK ACCELERATION THE CAR MISFIRES AND BEGINS TO SHAKE. ALSO HAVING WATER COME THROUGH TOP FRAME WHEN IT RAINS

NHTSA complaint #11298657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

HELLO, THIS IS A FLAW IN THE MERCEDES M271 ENGINE. AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILAGE THE CAMSHAFT AND TIMING CHAIN HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING IN MOST MERCEDES C250 CARS. THE DEALER IS ASKING $4400 FOR THE REPAIR, AND MERCEDES DID A RECALL ON IT YEARS AGO THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER SOLENOID IS VERY FAULTY AS IT HAPPENS TO MOST C250 VEHICLE OWNERS. EVER SINCE IT HAPPENED TO MY OWN CAR EVERY TIME I START IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS ABOUT TO BLOW UP. THE CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON EVERY DAY, SOMETIMES IT'LL GO IN LIMP MODE AND I WOULD CAREFULLY TAKE THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11232985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY C250 STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR. CHOKING AND HESITATIONS TO START, BUT YET WOULD START AFTER A MOMENT OR 2. THE NOISE WAS UNFAMILIAR. THIS NOISE WOULD CONTINUE THROUGH OUT THE DAY, AS LONG AS THE CAR SET FOR MORE THAN 15-20 MINUTES. I WOULD GO INTO THE STORE, TO SHOP COME BACK OUT TO THE CAR AN THE NOISE WOULD STILL BE THERE AFTER 15-20 MINUTES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS NORTH. AFTER A $200 DIAGNOSE COST. THE CAM SHAFT ADJUSTER IS OUT. COSTING ANOTHER $4,575.68. MY CAR IS A 2012, WHICH I BROUGHT IN 2014 WITH LESS THAN 7,000 MILES. NOW IT IS 2019 WITH ONLY 87,885 MILES ON MY CAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS PART IS FOR OR WHY MY CAR NEEDS THIS. ALL I KNOW IT COST $4,575.68. WAY TO MUCH FOR SOMETHING I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. CAN'T GET IN TOUCH WITH MANUFACTORY TO COMPLAIN AND MERCEDES HEADQUARTER HASN'T RETURN MY CALL. PLEASE GIVE ME ADVISE, AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH MY COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #11217797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

BOUGHT CAR FROM MERCEDES LOT, USED WITH 70K MILES. DELIVERED IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SALESMAN CLAIMED IT WAS LOW WASHER FLUID. I SAID I WASNT GOING ANYWHERE IN A CAR WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND HE NEEDED TO GET IT BACK TO SERVICE AND HAVE CODE RAN. AFTER DOING SO HE CLAIMED IT JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET SINCE LAST SERVICE SOME WORK HAD BEEN DONE(ANOTHER LIE). TOLD HIM I WAS RETEST DRIVING BEFORE ACCEPTING VEHICLE. TURNED OVER 3 TIMES, THEN STARTED. WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE THROTTLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND DIED OUT WITH CARS SPEEDING UP BEHIND ME. FORCED MERCEDES TO PUT IT BACK IN SERVICE. IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAM ADJUSTER ISSUE. THERES 100S OF PEOPLE NOTIFYING YOU OF THIS. MERCEDES KNOWS AND IS TRYING TO LIE TO CUSTOMERS AND STILL SELL THEM KNOWING THEY'RE DAMAGED AND DANGEROUS. FIX CAN BE UPWARDS OF $4000. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE!!! PLEASE DO SOMETHING!

NHTSA complaint #11208489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ALREADY ON THE SAME VEHICLE, AND IT IS VERY COSTLY TO FIX ($4000). FIRST TIME I HAD A RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT 46K MILES. SECOND TIME CAR HESITATES TO START, HAD LONG CRANKING, IT HAPPENED AT 69K MILES. IT IS A SYSTEMATIC, VERY COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11204065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ALREADY ON THE SAME VEHICLE, AND IT IS VERY COSTLY TO FIX ($4000). FIRST TIME I HAD A RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT 46K MILES. SECOND TIME CAR HESITATES TO START, HAD LONG CRANKING, IT HAPPENED AT 69K MILES. IT IS A SYSTEMATIC, VERY COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11204066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE AT STARTUP. DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE CAM TIMING ADJUSTERS @ 65000 MILES. THIS APPARENTLY AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART(S) AND CAUSES MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. REPAIR COSTS RANGE FROM $3000 - $5000 AND MORE IF THE ENGINE IS RUINED.

NHTSA complaint #11203853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11197112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.