2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK32. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. UPON RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V505000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) WHICH HE LINKED TO HIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MERCEDES-BENZ OF EASTON 4300 MORSE CROSSING, COLUMBUS, OH 43219 ABOUT THE RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS AN OLDER RECALL AND THAT MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER OBLIGATED TO REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

THE CAR STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER 15-MINUTES DRIVE. STARTER TURNED THE ENGINE JUST FINE, BUT THE ENGINE WON'T START. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. NEXT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN - AFTER A DRIVE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE STORE PARKING LOT AND IT WON'T START ONCE I RETURNED TO IT 10 MINUTES. AFTER UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO START THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO DO SO AGAIN. BOTH TIME THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND OBD CODE WAS "P0335 - CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR A CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION". I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH APPEARS TO BE QUITE COMMON FOR THE MERCEDES-BENZ CARS.

AFTER PULLING CAR INTO GARAGE FOUND THAT SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE PAST NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE POSITION. THOUGH IGNITION KEY COULD BE TURNED FAR ENOUGH COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FOR ENGINE SHUTDOWN IT STOPPED SHORT OF BEING ABLE TO BE REMOVED. AFTER PROBLEM DIAGNOSED REPAIR REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRONIC SHIFTER MODULE COSTING OVER $1,000. I FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR SAME PROBLEM ON GOOGLE FROM OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS. FORTUNATE THAT FAILURE HAPPENED IN MY GARAGE. IF EPISODE HAPPENED ON OPEN ROAD MAJOR INCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I DID CONTACT MERCEDES CAC (CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER) TO REPORT PROBLEM BOTH BY PHONE & LETTER. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED ONLY EXCUSES & INDICATED FAILURE WAS RESULT OF 'NORMAL WEAR & TEAR' THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED IN VEHICLE 10 YEARS OLD REGARDLESS OF HOW WELL MAINTAINED. AT AGE 63 I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFETIME & NONE EVER HAD SUCH A FAILURE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW & WELL MAINTAINED. *TR