After hours of research on the internet (18+) I learned that the defect problem is even more widespread than most realize.  Mercedes does not want the public to know about this defect.  They continue to deny any problem yet virtually every Mercedes forum is full of complaints by owners about their terrible experiences.  Read on:

The defect is in the engine wiring harness.  These cables connect to sensors that control essential components such as the computer, transmission, braking, steering, emissions, fuel, lights, locks, ac, stereo, etc, etc, etc .......  The cables are supposed to be protected with plastic insulation.  However, they are cracking and deteriorating at a rapid pace.  If the bundle is disturbed by any movement, the cracked insulation turns to dust exposing bare wires.

Why is this happening? After 1991, the German government wanted Mercedes to use biodegradable materials in the manufacturing of their vehicles.  Mercedes used a plastic component that was so biodegradable that it began to disintegrate almost immediately.  Because of the enormity of this problem, Mercedes continues to deny this defect.  This defect effects all models.  Both Mercedes and the dealers are making a windfall over these repairs.  The replacement wiring harness has doubled in price from $500.00 to over $1,000.00 and to add insult to injury, is still manufactured with the same defective materials! Yes, it is designed to fail again.

Mercedes and it's dealers are profiting handsomely from this problem. The replacement wiring harness has doubled in price from $500.00 to $1,000.00 yet is still made from the same defective materials (designed to fail again).  The part only takes a knowledgable technician 50 to 60 minutes to replace, yet dealers are charging unwitting owners up to 7 hours of labor.  There is no published guideline from Mercedes for this repair.  This allows dealers to charge whatever they want. 

Here's the bigger problem: you will never know how long these wires were slowly but surely damaging the electrical system of your car. The extent of the damage is unknown until  one by one the components begin to fail.  To inspect the wires would require cutting open the outer casing that bundles the wires together.  This increases risk of this expensive repair.

Mercedes cars suddenly die in the middle of traffic, on Freeways, busy intersections and have spontaneously combusted in driveways.  What good will your airbags be if a semi-truck traveling at 65mph+ on the Freeway plows into your stalled car,  or your family is trapped in a burning car with failed door locks? This is a very serious life-threatening defect.

Mercedes continues to deny responsibility or that a defect exists.  The National Safety Transportation Board even the face of hundreds of complaints refuses to take action.  Both Mercedes and the NSTB must be deluged by every Mercedes owner that has experience this problem or unusual electrical problems in order to force a recall.  You and your loved ones are at risk with a ticking time bomb.  If you think your teenager will take over the 'family car' someday because you believe it is one of the safest vehicles on the road and that by replacing the wire harness you have solved the problem, think again. ?

Take action - force the recall for your sake and for those you love.  Let Mercedes, the NSTB and to our elected officials in Washington know you are aware of the seriousness of this life- threatening defect.  Let your friends and co-workers know about this defect, ask them to take action also. Don't gamble with becoming a statistic, remember it is not 'if' but 'when'!