Recalls: Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class 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-Benz S212 E-Class Estate
2009-10 Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class Estate: OM651 diesel fuel leak
In December 2010, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz vehicles fitted with the OM651 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that were produced between 1 November 2009 and 1 November 2010 due to possible leaking of diesel fuel from the fuel filter (PRA 2010/12193).
2014 Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class Estate: OM651 engine oil leak
In January 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the OM651 turbo-diesel engine that were available for sale during 2014. In these vehicles, the seal ring between the timing chain tensioner and the engine may leak oil – this could result in a hazard for other road users and, in extreme cases, a fire risk (PRA 2015/14509).
2012-14 Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class Estate: potential fire risk
In March 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class Estates that were available for sale from 1 July 2012 to 1 December 2014. In these vehicles, the seal on the secondary bulkhead in the engine compartment could come loose and partially fall into the engine compartment. In extreme cases, the seal may come in contact with hot engine components and pose a fire risk (PRA 2015/14588).
2015 Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class Estate: potential fire risk
In August 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estates that were available for sale from 1 April 2015 to 1 May 2015. In these vehicles, a damaged seal may have been fitted to the secondary bulkhead in the engine compartment; this seal could come loose and partially fall into the engine compartment. If this occurred and the seal came into contact with hot engine components, it could produce a risk of fire (PRA 2015/14888).
2015-16 Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class: fuel pump may stop operating
In November 2016, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class vehicles that were sold in Australia from 1 October 2015 to 31 August 2016. In these vehicles, the fuel pump module wiring harness could contact the frame of the rear seat base. This could affect the operation of various fuel system components and, at worst, the fuel pump may stop operating and the engine could stall. If this occurred, the loss of motive power from the engine could pose a hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users (PRA 2016/15721).
2012-16 Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class Estate: deployment of driver’s airbag
In February 2018, recall RC2437/A was issued for Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class 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.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class 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.
2009-11 Mercedes-Benz S212 E 350 Estate: actuator cam for VIM
For 2009-11 Mercedes-Benz S212 E 350 BlueEfficiency Estates, 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 S212 E 250 CDI: OM651 injector failure
For the OM651 turbo-diesel engine, the Delphi piezo injectors that were fitted for the 125 kW to 150 kW variants (i.e. the S212 E 250 CDI BlueEfficiency) experienced a high failure rate, with failure generally occurring beyond 50,000 kilometres. If the injectors failed, the engine warning light would illuminate, the vehicle would enter ‘limp home’ mode and the engine would run unevenly. Initially, revised piezo injectors were introduced. Subsequently, however, Mercedes-Benz initiated a customer service action whereby the original Delphi piezo injectors were replaced with magnetic solenoid injectors, a new ECU was installed, a fuel return line was retro-fitted and the engine cover was changed. From around mid-2012, Mercedes-Benz ceased using piezo injectors for these engines and used magnetically-actuated solenoid injectors instead.
Mercedes-Benz S212 E 250 CDI: OM651 timing chain/tensioner wear
There have been reports of wear of the simplex timing chain and/or chain tensioner at higher mileages. Since the chain is installed on the transmission side of the engine, access is restricted and replacement is expensive.
Mercedes-Benz S212 E 350 and E 400: engine rattle noise after start-up
In December 2015, Mercedes-Benz issued Service Bulletin LI05.10-P-056435 Version 10 for Mercedes-Benz S212 E 350 and E 400 Estates that had M276 engines with the following engine numbers:
- M2768: up to engine 2768xx 30 001281; and,
- M2769: up to engine 2769xx 30 406603.
According to the Service Bulletin, the driver may hear a rattling noise after start-up – from the engine compartment – that lasts for several seconds. This noise was attributed to a lack of oil pressure in the secondary chain tensioners, though Mercedes-Benz claimed that no consequential damage was to be expected.
To fix, the secondary chain tensioners (left and right) were to be replaced and a check valve was to be installed in the oil supply bore of each secondary chain tensioner in the cylinder head (left and right).
