Safety Issue Type: Complaints

December 20 2002 NHTSA ID Number: 10000322

Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NHTSA ID Number 10000322

Incident Date December 19 2002

Consumer Location HIGHLAND VILLAGE, TX

Vehicle Identification Number 4JGAB54E3XA******

Complaint Summary
CRASH No 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 SUV. ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, MY
WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE "HARMONIC
FIRE No
BALANCER" FAILED (BECAME DETACHED), CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF
INJURIES 0 POWER TO THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A DISABLED VEHICLE AND
DEATHS 0 LEAVING MY WIFE AND FAMILY STRANDED. THE "HARMONIC BALANCER"
IS THE MAIN PULLEY WHEEL WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE CRANKSHAFT.
THIS PULLEY WHEEL IN TURN DRIVES ALL OTHER BELT-DRIVEN ITEMS,
SUCH AS POWER STEERING PUMP, AC, ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, ETC.
FIRST, THIS ITEM SHOULD BE SO RESILIENT THAT FAILURE IS NEARLY
IMPOSSIBLE, AND SECOND, BOTH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE
DEALER WHO IS REPAIRING IT STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS
"NOT AT ALL SURPRISING OR UNCOMMON" ON THE MB ML320 SUV.
WHILE NO INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCURRED IN THIS CASE, IT SEEMS THAT
IF THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT WERE TO FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE
RESULTING LOSS OF POWER COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE
CAR. I WILL ALSO ADD THAT WE HAVE VERY CAREFULLY FOLLOWED ALL
OF THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED BY THE
MANUFACTURER. IF THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT IS SUBJECT TO FAILURE,
A CHECK SHOULD BE PART OF THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. BUT TO
BE DIRECT, THE DESIGN OF THE "HARMONIC BALANCER" IS FAULTY, AND
CLEARLY SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE
(UPWARDS OF $1500) AND THE RESULTS ARE POTENTIALLY DEADLY.
LET'S NOT WAIT FOR AN INJURY OR DEATH TO RESULT BEFORE SOME
ACTION IS TAKEN ON THIS! TS

Affected Products (1)

Vehicle
MAKE MODEL YEAR
MERCEDES BENZ ML320 1999

Generated at NHTSA.gov 1 / 2
Safety Issue Type: Manufacturer Communications
October 28 2002 Manufacturer Communication Number: 10000322
Components: SUSPENSION
NHTSA ID Number 10000322

Manufacturer Communication Number 0200402

Summary
REAR STABILIZER BAR TECHNICAL INFORMATION. *TT

Affected Products (1)

Vehicle
MAKE MODEL YEAR
CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2003

Generated at NHTSA.gov 2 / 2