Recalls: Mercedes S204 C 63 AMG Estate
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mercedes S204 C 63 AMG Estate
2009-10 Mercedes S204 C 63 AMG Estate: loss of steering assistance
In November 2010, a recall was issued for Mercedes S204 C-Class Estates manufactured between 1 June 2009 and 28 February 2010 for higher than normally required steering forces, particularly during parking manoeuvres. This could be caused by a loss of fluid at the connection between the high pressure line and the power steering pump – this gradual loss of fluid was generally followed by a whining noise from the pump (PRA 2010/12141).
2013 Mercedes S204 C 63 AMG: loss of steering control
In April 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz S204 C-Class Estate vehicles that were manufactured from 1 May 2013 to 31 May 2013. In these vehicles, the bolt which secured the steering coupling may not have been tightened correctly during manufacture. As a result, the steering coupling could detach from the steering shaft – this could cause a loss of steering control, posing a hazard for vehicle occupants and other road users (PRA 2017/16028).
2012-14 Mercedes S204 C 63 AMG: deployment of driver’s airbag
In February 2018, recall RC2437/A was issued for Mercedes-Benz S204 C 63 AMG Estates that were available for sale in Australia from March 2012. If the steering column was not sufficiently grounded and the steering column switch was damaged or faulty, an electrostatic discharge could cause the driver’s airbag to deploy. If these conditions occurred, an airbag warning message in the instrument cluster display and a red airbag indicator lamp (signalling that the steering column module was damaged/faulty) would alert the driver. If the airbag deployed in the absence of a collision, it could injure and distract the driver. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16572.
2008-11 ‘model year’ Mercedes-Benz S204 C 63 AMG: Takata airbag recall
In May 2018, recall RC2469 S2 was initiated for 2008-11 ‘model year’ Mercedes-Benz S204 C 63 AMG Estates. In these vehicles, the front airbags contained propellant that could absorb moisture over time. In the event of a collision which triggered the airbag, the airbag could deploy too aggressively and the metal inflator housing could explode/rupture due to excessive internal pressure. If this occurred, metal fragments could be propelled through the airbag cushion and towards vehicle occupants – these fragments posed a risk of serious injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16814.
2012 ‘model year’ Mercedes-Benz S204 C 63 AMG: Takata airbag recall
In October 2018, recall campaign RC2469 S4 was issued for 2012 ‘model year’ Mercedes-Benz S204 C 63 Estates. These vehicles had Takata passenger airbags and, over time, propellant wafers inside the airbag could absorb moisture. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure inside the metal airbag inflator housing could cause it to explode or rupture, such that metal fragments may be projected through the airbag and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments had the potential to cause serious injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17006.
Problems and faults: Mercedes S204 C 63 AMG Estate
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
M156 engine (C 63 AMG): cylinder head bolt failure
For 6.2-litre M156 engines with engines numbers up to 1569xx 60 060658 (corresponding to engines produced from 2006 to the first half of 2010), the cylinder head bolts can stretch and snap.
The M156 engine has ‘torque to yield’ bolts which are designed to achieve a specific clamping pressure by being tightened to a specific torque and then turned a specific number of degrees. To achieve the intended clamping pressure, the upper section of the bolts is designed to stretch slightly. While the exact cause is unclear, it has been suggested that the design of the bolts, their metallurgy or corrosion causes them to stretch and snap.
The failure of one head bolt puts additional stress on the other bolts, causing further failures. The loss of clamping pressure allows coolant and oil to enter the combustion chamber; coolant can also be forced up through the failed head bolt locations into the top of the heads, causing white smoke and a rough idle. In severe cases, the cylinders can experience hydro lock, causing the piston to seize and destroying the entire engine.
Symptoms of head bolt failure are:
- Repeated low coolant levels;
- High oil level (from coolant getting into the oil);
- Illumination of the check engine light (CEL); and,
- White exhaust smoke (burning oil).
To test for head bolt failure, the coolant system could be pressurised and allowed to sit over night to see if the coolant level had dropped and if coolant was present in the oil.
In April 2011, Mercedes-Benz issued service bulletin LI01.30-P-051567 regarding broken cylinder head bolts for the M156 engine which caused coolant to enter the engine oil and/or the combustion chamber. The service bulletin identified the following symptoms:
- CEL (Check Engine Light) illumination;
- Misfire;
- Rough running; and,
- Low coolant indicator illumination.
To fix, the cylinder heads had to be removed so that the piston deck height could be measured. If the measurement from the top surface of the crankcase to the top surface of the piston was outside of specification (the maximum deck height was 0.23 mm), then the affected connecting rod with piston and bearings had to be replaced. As part of the repair, all cylinder head bolts and hydraulic tappets were to be replaced.
M156 V8 engine (C 63 AMG): camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear
In a US class action – CEDRIC CHAN v. DAIMLER AG, MERCEDES-BENZ, MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC and MERCEDES-AMG GMBH – it was alleged that the combination of nodular cast iron camshafts and valve lifters made of 9310-grade steel resulted in premature wear of the M156 engine as a result of:
- the soft camshaft metal, and/or
- improper heat treating, and/or
- improper camshaft offset.
Specifically, the camshafts were designed so that the lobes would contact the valve lifters. When the camshaft lobes experienced wear, the surface would become rough or scored and no longer make contact with the lifters with the same precision – this would cause the lifters to wear prematurely, demonstrated by a gouged ring in the top of the valve lifter. The gouged ring wear on the buckets also indicated that the buckets were not spinning as intended. The result of this premature wear would be serious engine failure.
Symptoms of camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear include rattling or clattering noises on start-up. In service bulletin S-B 05.20/20b (produced in 2009), Mercedes-Benz acknowledged the problem of camshaft and valve tappet wear. Ultimately, the class action did not proceed due to the plaintiffs’ lack of standing.
Wheels and tyres
The alloy wheels are susceptible to buckling over potholes and prone to kerb damage. With gentle driving, rear tyres for the C 63 AMG can be expected to last 15,000 kms; though this can be halved by aggressive driving.
Problems and faults: Mercedes S204 C 63 AMG Estate
- The engine may not restart after it has been running (i.e. heat soak), but restart once cooled; this may be due to a faulty control unit for the fuel pump.
- Knocking noises from the engine bay during low speed manoeuvres such as parking may be due to problems with the hydro bushings; improved bushings were subsequently released.
- Steering wobble at speed is most likely due to the steering rack bolts needing to be tightened.
- A low oil warning when the oil level is sufficient may be due to a faulty oil level switch or software error.
- The sunroof may not close automatically due to a faulty control module (located in the overhead console); if so, the control needs to be re-flashed.
- The climate control air conditioning may not function properly if snow enters through the cowl; a revised cowl was subsequently released and could be retrofitted.
