subframe failure

[lanchart]

Not a new subject but a timely reminder for all owners/potential owners of these models. My 2005 very well maintained low mileage SLK55 AMG having had many years of clean annual MOT tests has just been failed on a "Major defect - Repair immediately" due to "serious corrosion and weakening" of the rear subframe near the suspension arm mountings on both sides. My local Mercedes dealer requested that the car be brought in for inspection and advised that there was a known manufacturing problem with internal corrosion on rear subframes on SLKs and that MB were aware of the problem and were replacing these as warranty items. Despite the dealer confirming the corrosion and serious weakening of the subframe (following inspection) and despite having provided service and maintenance records going back many years MB has refused to replace the defective subframe. As a result I arranged for this and with the old subframe removed I have now seen the extent of the failure which is frankly staggering, showing significant corrosion holes and failed welds (pics attached). Nothing was showing on the previous annual inspection by the same testing garage in March 2024 since when the car (always garaged) had only covered 1474 dry weather miles.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Not a new subject but a timely reminder for all owners/potential owners of these models. My 2005 very well maintained low mileage SLK55 AMG having had many years of clean annual MOT tests has just been failed on a "Major defect - Repair immediately" due to "serious corrosion and weakening" of the rear subframe near the suspension arm mountings on both sides. My local Mercedes dealer requested that the car be brought in for inspection and advised that there was a known manufacturing problem with internal corrosion on rear subframes on SLKs and that MB were aware of the problem and were replacing these as warranty items. Despite the dealer confirming the corrosion and serious weakening of the subframe (following inspection) and despite having provided service and maintenance records going back many years MB has refused to replace the defective subframe. As a result I arranged for this and with the old subframe removed I have now seen the extent of the failure which is frankly staggering, showing significant corrosion holes and failed welds (pics attached). Nothing was showing on the previous annual inspection by the same testing garage in March 2024 since when the car (always garaged) had only covered 1474 dry weather miles.

Sorry to hear this.

What was the basis of rejecting the repair? Was it due to previous attempted repairs or something else?

It’s unusual for them to be rejected so there must be something that they are reacting to in this case.

 

[lanchart]

Sorry to hear this.

What was the basis of rejecting the repair? Was it due to previous attempted repairs or something else?

It’s unusual for them to be rejected so there must be something that they are reacting to in this case.

The MB dealer was very surprised that it was rejected - I followed up with MB customer service and they eventually replied that it was age and the fact that the service history was not all MB - the MB dealer did the big works and my much closer performance car specialist did the smaller work. This is a manufacturing issue (corrosion from inside the frame so not visually discernable) and frankly very surprising and alarming that Mb has not issued any safety advisory/test recall given the number of cars affected and their knowledge of the problem!

 

[Spider10]

They replaced mine FOC including all bolt's brake lines etc a couple of year's ago and that was previously a cat s right off (2005 SLK55)

 

[Spider10]

Its described as a goodwill gesture on the paperwork

 

[lanchart]

Its described as a goodwill gesture on the paperwork

Well done getting that sorted. Had there been a safety advisory / inspection recall I would have had mine checked and I suspect they would have replaced mine also which might explain why owners have not been notified.

 

[markjay]

...MB were aware of the problem and were replacing these as warranty items....

See below:

Its described as a goodwill gesture on the paperwork

 

[Gollom]

Well done getting that sorted. Had there been a safety advisory / inspection recall I would have had mine checked and I suspect they would have replaced mine also which might explain why owners have not been notified.

They won't do anything like a recall etc. as it could be perceived as an admission of guilt. Hence why it is "goodwill"

 

[ube63]

Maybe try another dealer. I got mine replaced by MB Brighton FOC. I’d not used them before for servicing and my car didn’t have full MB service history

 

[colinallcars]

There is a guy called Dave Evans on the SLK owners facebook group who has done a lot of work on this. He has reported that MB have recently changed policy and are not offering free replacement any more. As already suggested, try another dealer. They may push harder on your behalf.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The MB dealer was very surprised that it was rejected - I followed up with MB customer service and they eventually replied that it was age and the fact that the service history was not all MB - the MB dealer did the big works and my much closer performance car specialist did the smaller work. This is a manufacturing issue (corrosion from inside the frame so not visually discernable) and frankly very surprising and alarming that Mb has not issued any safety advisory/test recall given the number of cars affected and their knowledge of the problem!

That suggests there’s been a change as MB service history - or any service history at all - wasn’t a requirement previously. I’d say it’s worth trying another dealer, just in case.

 

[Fastcar155]

The subframe failed on my 2015 car ( full MB service history )and was written off by my insurance company.The rear subframe was previously inspected by a well respected independent Mercedes specialist who gave the assembly a clean bill of health.My car was not used on the winter months and also spent many months in Portugal.

At the time I tried to find another similar car but could not find a suitable example and now have given up looking.

I have had two Mercedes cars that I really liked and both gave me sterling service but the increasing subframe failure I would have to think very hard before purchasing another Mercedes.

 

[Fastcar155]

The subframe failed on my 2015 car ( full MB service history )and was written off by my insurance company.The rear subframe was inspected by a well respected independent Mercedes specialist who gave the assembly a clean bill of health.My car was not used on the winter months and also spent many months in Portugal.

At the time I tried to find another similar car but could not find a suitable example and now have given up looking.

I have had two Mercedes cars that I really liked and both gave me sterling service but the increasing subframe failure I would have to think very hard before purchasing another Mercedes.

 

[Spider10]

I had this conversation on sunday with a fellow member at Newbyhall who also suggested that there has been a change and MB weren't replacing anymore subframes FOC which is proving to be true going by this thread

 

[Chrishazle]

Makes me wonder if I should consider passing on my early facelift R171 SLK280 sooner rather than later! Anyone fancy a Fire Opal Red SLK280, full leather (charcoal), airscarf, heated seats, Comand NTG2.5 updated, garaged, just 2 small paint bubbles front wings lower corners, otherwise immaculate?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Makes me wonder if I should consider passing on my early facelift R171 SLK280 sooner rather than later! Anyone fancy a Fire Opal Red SLK280, full leather (charcoal), airscarf, heated seats, Comand NTG2.5 updated, garaged, just 2 small paint bubbles front wings lower corners, otherwise immaculate?

Perhaps not the ideal thread and timing to get the best price Chris!

 

[Scott_F]

Regardless of a car's mileage and service record, at 20 years-old it has exceeded its design life and a vehicle of that age with any sort of terminal rust is hardly headline news.

So unfortunately it's difficult to imagine any manufacturer showing an interest in assisting in rectification of such a problem on an old car.

 

[markjay]

...As a result I arranged for this and with the old subframe removed I have now seen the extent of the failure which is frankly staggering, showing significant corrosion holes and failed welds....

To all those who suggested 'try a different dealer' - bit late for that, N'est-ce pas?

 

[ALFAitalia]

The subframe failed on my 2015 car ( full MB service history )and was written off by my insurance company.

Why did it have anything to do with your insurance company.... can you insure against rust?.....or did you crash the car due to the failure... which would be unusual....most don't even notice they have failed until the service centre or MOT man point it out.

 

[Cherrypd]

Makes me wonder if I should consider passing on my early facelift R171 SLK280 sooner rather than later! Anyone fancy a Fire Opal Red SLK280, full leather (charcoal), airscarf, heated seats, Comand NTG2.5 updated, garaged, just 2 small paint bubbles front wings lower corners, otherwise immaculate?

I'll give you £20 for it as the value of these has dropped considerably. Apparently there's an issue with subframes