Recalls: Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe
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-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe
2003 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe: seatbelt tongue may not engage
In March 2004, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe vehicles manufactured between August 2003 and October 2003 due to the possibility that the tongue of the seat belt may not belt may not fully engage in the seatbelt buckle (PRA 2004/6890).
Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe with sunroof: glass panel may separate
In August 2020, recall campaign RC2752 was issued for Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupes that had sunroofs. In these vehicles, the durability of the bonding between the sunroof glass panel and the sliding roof frame may not meet specifications and the glass panel may separate from the vehicle. If this occurred, there was an increased risk of a collision and risk of injury to road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18467.
2001-05 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe: sunroof panel may detach
In February 2023, recall campaign RC3109 was issued for 2001-05 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupes that were equipped with panoramic glass sliding sunroofs (option code 413). Due to a manufacturing defect, the sliding sunroof panel and frame may not have been bonded correctly. As a result, the sunroof panel may detach from the vehicle. If the panel partially or fully detached from the vehicle, there was an increased risk of injury to road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005620.
2005-07 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe: sunroof panel may detach
In February 2023, recall campaign RC3108 was issued for 2005-07 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupes that were equipped with panoramic glass sliding sunroofs (option code 413). Due to a manufacturing defect, the sliding sunroof panel and frame may not have been bonded correctly. As a result, the sunroof panel may detach from the vehicle. If the panel partially or fully detached from the vehicle, there was an increased risk of injury to road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005619.
2001-07 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe: sunroof panel may detach
In February 2023, recall campaign RC3110 was issued for 2001-07 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupes that were equipped with panoramic glass sliding sunroofs (option code 414). Due to a manufacturing defect, the sliding sunroof panel and frame may not have been bonded correctly. As a result, the sunroof panel may detach from the vehicle. If the panel partially or fully detached from the vehicle, there was an increased risk of injury to road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005621.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe
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.
2005-06 Mercedes CL203 C 230: M272 balancer shaft sprocket gear failure
In May 2011, Mercedes-Benz issued service bulletin LI03.30-P-050027 for Mercedes-Benz CL203 C 230 vehicles with M272 V6 engines which:
- Had serial numbers prior to 2729..30 468993; and,
- Were manufactured prior to October 2006.
In these vehicles, premature wear of a gear on the balancer shaft sprocket could cause the positioning of the camshafts in the right cylinder bank to be impaired (relative to the crankshaft). According to the service bulletin, this wear of the balancer shaft sprocket could cause the following symptoms:
- Illumination of the check engine light; and,
- Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) 1200 or 1208 stored in the ME-SFI control unit.
Owners have experienced failure of the balancer shaft sprocket gear after 95,000 kilometres, accompanied by rough running and illumination of the check engine light. From October 2006 production, a different material was used for the balance shaft sprocket.
For the M272 V6 engine, the repair procedure is as follows:
- Remove the right front camshaft adjuster cover;
- Check the balance shaft sprocket for wear using a flexible borescope. In rare cases, a stretched timing chain may be the reason for the DTCs if the sprocket does not exhibit any signs of wear;
- If worn, replace the balance shaft. Note: since the balancer shaft is located inside the engine block, repairs are expensive;
- Replace the chain tensioner (part number A272 050 01 11);
- Change engine oil and filter;
- Drive with engine at high load and rpm for at least 20 km;
- Change engine oil and filter once more; and,
- Replace the camshaft adjustment solenoids.
2005-06 Mercedes-Benz C 230: M272 V6 engine and cam plug oil leak
Mercedes-Benz M272 V6 engines that were produced prior to June 2008 may experience oil leaks (or ‘seepage’) from the round plastic expansion plugs (‘cam plugs’) on the back of the cylinder heads. There were two different size cam plugs:
- Part number A000 998 55 90: two small expansion plugs (approximately 2.5 cm diameter); and,
- Part number A000 998 56 90: one large small expansion plug (for engines without vacuum pump).
To fix, the existing plugs were to be removed, the opening cleaned and new plugs fitted; no sealer was to be used in the installation of the new plugs. New cam plugs that were not susceptible to oil leaks were phased into production in June 2008.
2005-07 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C 230: actuator cam for VIM (M272)
For 2005-07 Mercedes-Benz CL203 C 230 vehicles, the actuator cam for the variable intake manifold (VIM) in the M272 V6 engine is susceptible to failure. Symptoms of a broken actuator cam include:
- Rough idle;
- A loss of power (particularly at low and mid-range engine speeds);
- Illumination of the check engine lights; and,
- Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) such as P2004, P2005, P2006, P2187 and P2189.
Due to the venting of oil from the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system, carbon deposits can accumulate on the swirl flaps inside the variable intake manifold. These carbon deposits increase the resistance on the plastic actuator cam and this can cause it to break. Other parts can also fail as a result, including the swirl flaps, the actuator mounting arms and the vacuum diaphragms.
AustralianCar.Reviews understands that the original equipment supplier for the intake manifold is Pierberg and that Mercedes-Benz’s repair involves replacing the entire intake manifold since they do not supply replacement actuator cams. However, eEuroparts.com sell intake manifold repair kits that replace the plastic actuator cam with a metal component and can be used for DIY repairs. However, the intake manifold also needs to be cleaned as part of any repair. For further information about this problem, please see:
- eEuroparts.com: Fixing Mercedes-Benz Intake Manifold Woes; and,
- eEuroparts.com: Mercedes-Benz Intake Manifold Repair DIY.
Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sport Coupe: Engines
- For models with 1.8-litre four cylinder engines, a tapping or rattling noise on startup may be due to faulty hydraulic cam adjusters.
- For models fitted with V6 engines (i.e. the C 320), the engine may run rough or hesitate due to water entering the crankshaft position sensor; if so, the sensor and wiring assembly require replacement.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz CL203 C-Class Sports Coupe
- Knocking noises from the front suspension – particularly on rough roads – may be due to worn torsion bar links as water enters the ball joints through split seals.
- A whistling noise from under the bonnet when the brakes are released may be due to a faulty power brake booster.
- Tapping noises from the fuel tank may require a restrictor to be installed in the fuel vent line.
- The power steering hose may leak at the connection with the rack-and-pinion assembly due to O-ring damage.
- A scraping noise from the transmission tunnel area may be due to insulation drooping and coming into contact with the drive shaft.
- The air conditioning may stop working due to water leaking into the evaporator sensor.
- The battery in the key fob may drain – and its programming erased – if the key is left in the ignition for extended periods (up to 36 hours).
- For early models, the upper radiator support brackets bolts were susceptible to breaking.
