1981 MERCEDES-BENZ 380

Mercedes has acknowledged and agreed to repair at their cost the defect in the subframe connections to the wheel control arms. This structural weakness, once snapped, results in the loss of control, wheels falling off and suspension components dropping to the ground. MBZ agreed to fix this issue on all R107 and C107 cars (US Models 450SL/SLC) from 1973 thru 1980- Mercedes Recall#191185120001, SIL 33/001 Subframe Modification Dated 11/1/85 - but did not include the R107 and C107 between 1981-1985 (US Model 380SL/SLC) that developed the same potential life threatening catastrophic defect. Mercedes did, however, update the the 1986-1989 models with strengthened subframes, a de facto admission of their bad unsafe design. My recently purchased 1981 380SLC was just inspected for this issue and cracks are clearly present, requiring immediate strengthening.

Mercedes has acknowledged and agreed to repair at their cost the defect in the subframe connections to the wheel control arms. This structural weakness, once snapped, results in the loss of control, wheels falling off and suspension components dropping to the ground. MBZ agreed to fix this issue on all R107 and C107 cars (US Models 450SL/SLC) from 1973 thru 1980- Mercedes Recall#191185120001, SIL 33/001 Subframe Modification Dated 11/1/85 - but did not include the R107 and C107 between 1981-1985 (US Model 380SL/SLC) that developed the same potential life threatening catastrophic defect. Mercedes did, however, update the the 1986-1989 models with strengthened subframes, a de facto admission of their bad unsafe design. My recently purchased 1981 380SLC was just inspected for this issue and cracks are clearly present, requiring immediate strengthening.

Mercedes has acknowledged and agreed to repair at their cost the defect in the subframe connections to the wheel control arms. This structural weakness, once snapped, results in the loss of control, wheels falling off and suspension components dropping to the ground. MBZ agreed to fix this issue on all R107 and C107 cars (US Models 450SL/SLC) from 1973 thru 1980- Mercedes Recall#191185120001, SIL 33/001 Subframe Modification Dated 11/1/85 - but did not include the R107 and C107 between 1981-1985 (US Model 380SL/SLC) that developed the same potential life threatening catastrophic defect. Mercedes did, however, update the the 1986-1989 models with strengthened subframes, a de facto admission of their bad unsafe design. My recently purchased 1981 380SLC was just inspected for this issue and cracks are clearly present, requiring immediate strengthening.

THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED, AND THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THE TIME, IN 1987, I BELIEVED MERCEDES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A ONE TIME ISSUE, AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A POOR DRIVER WHO HAD OWNED THE CAR PREVIOUSLY. LAST WEEK, A FRIED OF MINE, HAD A 1986, 380 SL FAIL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER MORE INVESTIGATION, I FOUND OUT THAT MERCEDES CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE TIMING COMPONENT TO USE A DOUBLE INSTEAD OF A SINGLE CHAIN. THE CHANGE WAS MADE LATE IN THE 1980'S. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS WEB SITE, I SEE THAT THERE IS A HIGH FREQUENCY OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE 380 SL MODELS IN THE 1980'S. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SUMMARY OF ALL THE FAILURES OVER THOSE YEARS, AND I THINK THAT MERCEDES OWES SOMETHING TO ALL OF US WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENGINES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.*AK

ENGINE FIRE, CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD JUST GOT THE MUFFLER REPLACED THAT DAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

ENGINE FIRE, CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD JUST GOT THE MUFFLER REPLACED THAT DAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS