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Sunday, January 4, 2015

Vito Issues

Our Mercedes Vito people mover has a few issues.  To me these are mostly related to poor build quality or in appropriate material specification.  Although it is out of warranty I would have thought some aspect of consumer protection law should require the manufacturer to address these issues at no cost.

1 starter motor fail - fixed $1900

2
Only one of the two key fobs will lock the vehicle.  Both will unlock it.
3
Driver side rear sliding door pops open when driving on roughish roads.
4
Fuel cap tether broken.
5
Front passenger door window gets confused sometimes.  If you open it about 50mm to let some air in and then try to close it, sometimes is starts and stops and just gets confused.  The work around is to fully open the window and then you can close it or wait a moment and then you can close it.
6
Gear lever physically in Park but indicates Reverse.
This typically happens when we pull up somewhere and someone is getting in or out so the motor is running and the gear selector is moved to park.  The indicator light for reverse is lit.  When it comes time to move the vehicle the lever will not move as it is locked in the Park position.  The work around is to switch the engine off and then re start the engine.  Then the indicator light correctly shows the gear selector as being in the Park position and the interlock is released allowing the lever to move.
7
Front passenger side window washer does not wash the window.  Jet blocked or broken or disconnected water supply tube? -Fixed
8
Drivers side window actuator switch assembly is broken.  Work around - its still usable but looks and feels bad.
3-4-2016- update Replacement on order $50 ebay.
9
Centre dash control console is falling apart.  There is something wrong with the plastic and it is going all furry.
10
Service indicator light lit.
This orange light on the dash board is always ON indicating a service of the brakes is required. The service has been performed by a non Mercedes franchised service man.  Merc keep the code to switch the light off a secret.  The work around is to ignore it.  The requested action is to provide us with codes so that our mechanic can switch the light off after each service.
12-1-2015 Update - Merc advise that there is a sensor associated with the brake shoes that has to be replaced.  I understand it is a plastic covered contact.  The merc fellow said he thought a set of genuine Merc ones was $30.  It appears the code information is not correct.

11 only one of the three DC outlets work.
12 AM radio is noisy and distorted  (like this from new)

13
March 2016 - some kind of turbo problem. Very little power. The service dude cleared faults via ODB2 and returned it to a drivable state for easter. Booked in for repairs next week. 

14
 3-April-2016 a new fault.  The drivers window opener mechanism is stuffed.  Repair kit on order.  $75ish. Mind you I suspect it would be $500 ish
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20-1-2015  Phoned Merc Customer Assistance
1300 300 896   customerassistancecentre@daimler.com
Spoke to Emanuela.
Then sent email
=========================================

Dear Emanuela,

My wife and I own a Mercedes Vito People Mover.

Vin: xxxxxx
Made: 11/07
Rego: 375 KQL

This vehicle has a number of issues that I have listed below.  I have attached a quotation from the local Mercedes service centre to address these issues.

I believe that Daimler should rectify these issues under statutory warranty requirements at no cost as one would expect a vehicle such as this to last at least 10 years.  In addition some of these issues have been around for several years.  They are not wear and tear items.

In addition to that list we have already had to pay for a replacement starter motor to be fitted at a cost of around $1900

It seems to me that many of the issues are electrical issues.  In addition to the items shown below, the AM radio very noisy and is interfered with by noise from power lines and trains.  We note that the starter motor was an electrical item too. I wonder if there is a fundamental problem with the wiring of the vehicle or is it simply an indication of very poor build quality?

I look forward to your favourable consideration of this request.

Kindest regards,

Frank Thomson

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