[str8line]

I posted this on the MBworld forum also:

I picked up our week old GL320 yesterday from the dealer after dropping it off for service and the tranny still downshifts too early. The 3-2, and 2-1 downshifts occur too early and induce engine breaking.

According to the work order the code they used to try to resolve the problem was:

T-B-27.60/62E

I also had a major transmission clunk yesterday just after picking it up from the dealer while driving in stop and go traffic at about 25 mph. As I recall, it happened as I gently rolled on the throttle after coasting for a bit.

I am so impressed with this vehicle, yet this is putting a damper on it. The downshifts are totally unnacceptable. It's not something minor that I can ignore. At this point I'm not sure what to do except tell the dealer about it and hope they have another update for the electronics to try.

 

[busoptr]

demand that the dealer give you another gl. Period. Fight for your rights as a consumer. We're already suckers as it is.

 

[str8line]

4 days ago the GL was still downshifting really hard. Two days ago my wife called me(she drives it) and said it was driving her crazy. So she set up an appointment to meet the service manager and take him for a drive and try another one on the lot to see if there was a difference. Well Thursday she said it wasn't doing it anymore so she didn't go to the dealer. As of right now she says it's still shifting o.k.

 

[oknish]

str8line - it could be a "temporary" issue but I would definitely recommend taking it in to dealer and documenting the problem. From my experience with transmission, I had 2 dealers apply 2 updates in less than a week. My point is that it looks like they have frequent software updates for this transmission and it won't hurt to have yours updated to most recent version.

 

[str8line]

str8line - it could be a "temporary" issue but I would definitely recommend taking it in to dealer and documenting the problem. From my experience with transmission, I had 2 dealers apply 2 updates in less than a week. My point is that it looks like they have frequent software updates for this transmission and it won't hurt to have yours updated to most recent version.

Thanks Oknish. I already had it in the shop for the hard shifting when it was 1 week old. They ran the latest update. It was in the shop again last week after it left us stranded with a loose intercooler hose. The service manager drove it 60 miles(he took it home with my permission) to check out the shifting problem. He did notice the hard shifting but didn't think it was too bad.

 

[oknish]

He did notice the hard shifting but didn't think it was too bad.

That, unfortunately, is one response you have to turn a deaf ear to. He didn't pay for the car, did he? When I had my transmission issues, I had SE, SA, and, SM, all drive it and they all repeated, like parrots, we don't see/feel any issue. Politely but firmly tell them that you think there is a problem and they should be fixing it. Ask them to share details on what TSBs they applied, etc. Don't make it personal but let them know that you won't take NO for an answer. Last option is calling MBUSA and getting them involved.

 

[Steve Birge]

More of the same

This is my first post. I have been reading about the problem of the cooler hose which I seem to have. I own a GL320 CDI that has 2400 miles on it. I bought it a month a go. I loved it from day one but yesterday on my way home from work it started to buck as I excelerated around 15 to 20 mph. At first I thought I had bad fuel or was running out of fuel.I was able to fill the tank but still had the problem of bucking and made it home in limp mode. I called roadside assistance this morning and my car was towed to the nearest dealer which wasn't the dealer that I bought the car from. I hope they are aware of this malfunction and fix it. All your posts and experiences have been very enlightening. I'll keep you posted on my problem.

 

[boxboss]

This is my first post. I have been reading about the problem of the cooler hose which I seem to have. I own a GL320 CDI that has 2400 miles on it. I bought it a month a go. I loved it from day one but yesterday on my way home from work it started to buck as I excelerated around 15 to 20 mph. At first I thought I had bad fuel or was running out of fuel.I was able to fill the tank but still had the problem of bucking and made it home in limp mode. I called roadside assistance this morning and my car was towed to the nearest dealer which wasn't the dealer that I bought the car from. I hope they are aware of this malfunction and fix it. All your posts and experiences have been very enlightening. I'll keep you posted on my problem.

When you pick it up, make sure you find out exactly what they did. Intercooler hose/clamp replacement or repair should be mentioned - be suspect if it is not. BTW, what was your build date? I am continually amazed at how many 320 owners are having this problem. Wouldn't it make sense to correct this at Vance and eliminate the warranty repair/tow payments. This has to be a major known issue for MB.

 

[str8line]

When you pick it up, make sure you find out exactly what they did. Intercooler hose/clamp replacement or repair should be mentioned - be suspect if it is not. BTW, what was your build date? I am continually amazed at how many 320 owners are having this problem. Wouldn't it make sense to correct this at Vance and eliminate the warranty repair/tow payments. This has to be a major known issue for MB.

I'm still finding it hard to believe that our GL with less than 500 miles on it left us stranded on the way to a wedding. Thank God it didn't happen to my wife with our kids in the vehicle.

In my opinion this is a major safety issue that should require a recall. As you said boxboss, it is apparent that this a widespread problem. The sudden loss of power and ensuing breakdown could easily result in serious injury or death. Imagine making a left turn in traffic and having a sudden loss of power, or being stranded in the desert on a 100 degree day, or losing power in the left lane during rush hour, etc.

I bet if this were Toyota the recall would have happened weeks ago.

Between this problem and my transmission problem I am pretty down on Mercedes right now. Also, I still haven't heard back from Mercedes customer service after two conversations with their representatives and a promise that a regional rep or a manager would get back to me. It has been over a week.

 

[Steve Birge]

The intercooler hose was replaced in my GL and its running fine again. In fact it seems to be shifting smoother as well. Not that it was shifting bad before, just seems better now. The dealer had received calls from MB while it was in their shop. I didn't get to talk to the service guys much as I picked up the car after hours. My car was built in Febuary. I hope this solves the problem permenantly and doesn't happen again. I appreciate the knowledge I gathered from these threads.