Recalls: Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan
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 W213 E-Class Sedan
2016 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: windscreen wipers could stop working
In February 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 April 2016 to 31 August 2016. In these vehicles, the electrical wiring harness for the front windscreen wiper motor had not been routed correctly. Due to movement of the windscreen wiper linkage, the electrical wiring harness could be damaged and cause the wiper motor to fail. If the windscreen wipers failed while the vehicle was being driven, the driver’s visibility would be impaired and the risk of a collision would be increased (PRA 2017/15944).
2016 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: front passenger airbag may not deploy
In March 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016. In these vehicles, the seat occupancy control unit for the front passenger seat may not have been installed according to specifications. As such, the pressure hose on the control unit of the front passenger seat could kink and cause the control unit not to recognise that the seat was occupied. In the event of a collision, this would result in the front passenger airbag not deploying, thereby increasing the risk of injury (PRA 2017/15975).
Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: right rear seatbelt tensioner may not deploy
In October 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 30 September 2016 to 30 January 2017. In these vehicles, the right (driver’s side) rear seatbelt tensioner may not deploy – this could increase the risk of injury to the rear passenger if the vehicle was involved in a collision. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16386.
2017-18 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan: active bonnet may not function
In October 2018, recall campaign RC2569 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans that were available for sale in Australia from 10 April 2017 to 11 January 2018. These vehicles had an ‘active bonnet’ which, in the event of a pedestrian collision, was intended to rise to create clearance over hard structures in the engine compartment. In these vehicles, however, the pedestrian may not be detected and the mechanism to raise the bonnet may not work as intended – this increased the risk of injury to the pedestrian. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17094.
2016-17 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan OM654 Diesel: fuel leak
In November 2018, recall campaign RC2592 was issued for 2016-17 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans that had 2.0-litre OM654 diesel engines and were available for sale prior to 29 December 2017. In these vehicles, a diesel fuel line may have been incorrectly routed and this could cause it to chafe against nearby components. Chafing may cause a diesel fuel leak which, in turn, could cause the vehicle to stop sporadically – this could pose a collision risk for vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17182.
2017-18 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan: front passenger airbag may not deactivate for child seat
In December 2018, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans that were available for sale from 2 October 2017 to 29 June 2018. If a child seat was installed in the front passenger seat, it was possible that the front passenger airbag might not be switched off as intended and could be triggered in the event of a collision – this increased the risk of injury for a child in a rearward-facing child seat. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17209.
2016 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: airbags may deploy without collision
In April 2019, recall campaign RC2582 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 2 May 2016 to 28 October 2016. During assembly, the air conditioner housing may have collided with the airbag control unit, thereby damaging the airbag control unit. The functioning of the control unit may therefore be impaired and this could lead to inadvertent deployment of the airbags – this posed an injury risk for vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17474.
2019 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan: oil leak and fire hazard
In June 2019, recall campaign RC2675 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans that were available for sale from 4 February 2019 to 29 March 2019. In these vehicles, incorrect screws may have been used for the exhaust gas turbocharger oil return line and the crankcase. The exhaust gas turbocharger oil return feed line could therefore leak oil which, if it came into contact with hot components, posed a fire hazard. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17600.
2018 model year Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: steering may lock
In June 2019, recall campaign RC2654 was issued for 2018 model year Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles that were available for sale from 1 March 2018 to 30 August 2019. Lock nuts with possible production deviations may have been installed in the steering system of certain vehicles. These particular locknuts could break and cause the steering to lock, thereby increasing the risk of a collision. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17539.
2019 Mercedes-Benz W213 E 300: crankshaft failure
In August 2019, recall campaign RC2702 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E300 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 April 2019 to 31 May 2019. Due to a manufacturing error, the engine’s crankshaft could have surface damage. If crankshaft failure occurred, the engine may experience sudden damage and stop running – this increased the risk of a collision, posing a hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17729.
2019 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: radar sensor control unit failure
In August 2019, recall campaign RC2707 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 March 2019 to 30 July 2019. Due to an error in the active brake assist software, one of the radar sensor control units may fail. If the radar sensor control unit failed, the ‘Active Brake Assist’ function may not activate and this increased the risk of a collision and injury to both vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, the software for the radar sensor control unit was to be updated. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17768.
2018-19 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan: oil lines could leak
In March 2020, recall campaign RC2764 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans that were available for sale in Australia from 1 August 2018 to 30 April 2019. In these vehicles, materials used in the oil lines may not meet the correct specifications – this could result in oil leakages while the vehicle was in operation. If a leak occurred, oil could come into contact with hot components of the vehicle and cause a fire – this posed a risk of serious injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18261.
2018-19 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan: front seatbelt buckle housings
In July 2020, recall campaign RC27650 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans that were available for sale in Australia from 1 August 2018 to 29 March 2019. In these vehicles, the front seatbelt buckle housings may not have been correctly manufactured. As a result, a correctly-fastened seatbelt may be detected as not fastened – this would cause the seatbelt warning light to remain illuminated and a warning tone would sound when the vehicle was being driven. In the event of a collision, neither of the vehicle’s seatbelt tensioning systems would be activated – this increased the risk of injury to occupants in the event of a collision. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18344.
2020 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan: backrest lock may fail
In August 2020, recall campaign RC2797 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans that were available for sale in Australia from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020. If the cargo area was loaded and a collision occurred, the cargo could strike the backrest of the left rear seat, causing the backrest lock to fail. If this occurred, the risk of injury to vehicle occupants – particularly in the left rear seat – would be increased. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18488.
2020 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: delayed operation of airbags
In September 2021, recall campaign RC2935 was issued for 2020 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles. The electrical connectors of the side crash sensors may not meet manufacturing specifications in these vehicles. If the sensors did not operate as designed, it may result in delayed deployment of the airbags, thereby increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-004958.
2018-20 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: eCall system may not contact emergency services
In December 2021, recall campaign RC2932-RC2933 was issued for 2018-20 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles. Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (eCall) communication module may be deactivated. If this occurred, the automatic and manual emergency call function may not be available outside of the network coverage of certain providers. If the eCall system was deactivated, it would not be possible for vehicle occupants to contact emergency services in the event of an emergency (either manually or automatically). As a consequence, emergency vehicles may not be directed to the affected vehicle or may be delayed and this could increase the risk of death if a serious injury had occurred. For this recall, no action was required by consumers since the software would be updated ‘over the air’ (i.e. without requiring a workshop visit). For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-004979.
2017-21 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan Diesel: fire hazard
In January 2022, recall campaign RC2978 was issued for 2017-21 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class vehicles that had OM654 or OM6546 diesel engines. In these vehicles, a leak could develop between the coolant pump and the vacuum circuit, such that coolant could enter the vacuum circuit. If this occurred, there would be an increase in the temperature of those components and this could result in a vehicle fire, thereby increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005039.
2018-20 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan: emergency call may not contact emergency services
In April 2022, recall campaign RC2957 was issued for 2018-20 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans. Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (‘eCall’) communication module may be deactivated. If the eCall system was deactivated, it would not be possible for the vehicle occupants to connect with emergency services, either manually or automatically, in the event of an emergency. As a result, emergency vehicles may not be directed to the affected vehicle or may be delayed; this could increase the risk or severity of injury. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005401.
2016-18 Mercedes-Benz W213 E220D Sedan: timing chain failure
In May 2022, recall campaign RC3021 was issued for 2016-18 Mercedes-Benz W213 E220D Sedans. Due to a manufacturing defect, the timing chain may wear prematurely and break. If this occurred, the vehicle would experience a sudden loss of power. This condition would increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005446.
2018-22 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: potential short-circuit and fire
In September 2022, recall campaign RC3066 was issued for 2018-22 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class sedans. Due to a manufacturing defect, the transmission wiring harness may be damaged. This damage could allow moisture into the wiring harness, which could cause a short circuit and vehicle fire. A vehicle fire posed a risk of injury to vehicle occupants, other road users, bystanders and/or damage to property. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005517.
2018-22 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: 12 volt battery connections
In November 2022, recall campaign RC3089 was issued for 2018-22 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans. Due to a manufacturing defect, the electrical connections for the 12 volt battery in the boot may detach in the event of a collision. As a result, the eCall, seat adjustment, hazard warning lights and the automatic remote vehicle unlocking functions may not operate as intended. If the eCall system was deactivated, it would not be possible for vehicle occupants to connect with emergency services, either manually or automatically. Separately, it may not be possible to unlock and/or start the vehicle. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005570.
2020-21 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: wiring harness damage and potential loss of power
In August 2023, recall campaign RC3181 was issued for 2020-21 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans with hybrid powertrains. Due to a manufacturing defect, the wiring harness for the vehicle’s power electronics system may contact and chafe against the underbody panelling. This condition could damage the wiring harness and cause a loss of power. If the vehicle lost power while being driven, there was an increased risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005752.
2022 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: warning systems may not alert the driver when exiting
In August 2023, recall campaign RC3192 was issued for 2022 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans. When exiting the vehicle, the visual and acoustic warning system may not alert the driver if other vehicles and/or traffic were approaching. If the driver was not made aware of approaching vehicles and/or traffic, there was an increased risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, the vehicle’s software was to be updated by a Mercedes-Benz dealership. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005758.
2021-22 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class: fuel delivery unit failure
In August 2023, recall campaign RC3170 was issued for 2021-22 Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedans. Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel delivery unit may fail and this could cause the fuel pump to switch off. If this occurred, fuel supply to the engine would be impaired and the vehicle may experience a loss power. If this occurred while driving, there was an increased risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005747.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan
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.
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Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan
No troubleshooting information is currently available for the Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class Sedan.
