Recalls & faults: Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class (2006-13)

Recalls: Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class

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 W221/V221 S-Class

• In June 2008, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz vehicles fitted with the 3.0-litre OM642 V6 turbo-diesel engine that were manufactured between May 2006 and October 2007. In these vehicles, an open circuit in the chip housing of the crankshaft position sensor could occur due to contamination of the silicone during its manufacture. When the problem occurred, the engine would lose all power and not restart. To fix, the crankshaft position sensor was replaced (PRA 2008/10085).
• In June 2008, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class vehicles manufactured between October and November 2007 due to the unreliable operation of the driver’s side signal acquisition module (SAM) resulting from the ingress or moisture. In isolated cases, this could lead to electrical malfunctions affecting items such as the front illumination equipment and turn signals, windscreen wipers, steering column adjustment and illumination of the centre console (PRA 2008/10087).
• In September 2008, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class models with the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension due to a fault with the front axle body acceleration sensors. Due to an incomplete soldering process during manufacture, certain electrical connection on the circuit boards of the ABC sensors could trigger random sprung mass vibrations at the front axle of the vehicle. This could influence driving stability, operational safety and, in some cases, display a warning message in the instrument cluster (PRA 2008/10321).
• In March 2009, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class models fitted with Active Body Control (ABC) suspension due to the potential fracture of the lower ball joint of the front struts after high mileage when used on rough roads. If this occurred, the vehicle’s steering would be impaired. (PRA 2009/10689).
• In January 2012, a recall was issued for W221.I S 320 CDI, W221.II S 350 CDI BlueEfficiency and W221.III S 350 CDI BlueTec models fitted with the OM642 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and manufactured from November 2009 to July 2011. In these vehicles, the fuel filter may leak diesel fuel and pose a potential hazard to other road users (PRA 2012/13002).
• In April 2013, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class vehicles due to a potential crack in the fuel filter housing – this could result in a fuel leak and potential fire hazard (PRA 2013/13553).

Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class

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 W221/V221 S 350: balancer shaft sprocket gear failure

In May 2011, Mercedes-Benz issued service bulletin LI03.30-P-050027 for Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S 350 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:

1. Remove the right front camshaft adjuster cover;
2. 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;
3. If worn, replace the balance shaft. Note: since the balancer shaft is located inside the engine block, repairs are expensive;
4. Replace the chain tensioner (part number A272 050 01 11);
5. Change engine oil and filter;
6. Drive with engine at high load and rpm for at least 20 km;
7. Change engine oil and filter once more; and,
8. Replace the camshaft adjustment solenoids.

2005-06 Mercedes W221/V221 S 450 and S 500: M273 worn timing chain guide gear

In May 2011, Mercedes-Benz issued service bulletin LI03.30-P-050027 for Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S 450 and S 500 vehicles with M273 V8 engines which:

• Had serial numbers prior to 2739..30 088611; and,
• Were manufactured prior to September 2006.

In these vehicles, a worn guide gear for the timing chain 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.

From September 2006 production, a hardened material was used for the sprocket and the timing chain guide wheel (idler) was modified.

For the M273 V8 engine, the repair procedure is as follows:

1. Remove the right front camshaft adjuster cover;
2. Check the timing chain guide wheel for wear using a flexible borescope;
3. If worn, replace the guide gear (part number A273 050 06 05) of the chain drive;
4. Replace the chain tensioner;
5. Change engine oil and filter;
6. Drive with engine at high load and rpm for at least 20 km;
7. Change engine oil and filter once more; and,
8. Replace the camshaft adjustment solenoids.

2005-08 Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S 350, S 450 and S 500: M272 and M273 cam plug oil leak

Mercedes-Benz M272 V6 and M273 V8 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.

2005-11 Mercedes-Benz W221 S 350, S 450 and S 500: actuator cam for VIM

For 2005-11 Mercedes-Benz W221 S 350, S 450 and S 500 vehicles, the plastic actuator cam in the variable intake manifold (VIM) for the M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines 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 W221 S 320 CDI and S 350 CDI: knocking or ticking noise at idle

In February 2013, Mercedes-Benz issued Service Bulletin LI03.20-P-048278 for Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class models that had 3.0-litre OM642 diesel engines – this included the S 320 CDI, S 350 CDI BlueEfficiency and S 350 BlueTEC.

According to LI03.20-P-048278, these vehicles may exhibit an intermittent knocking or ticking noise at idle and at engine speeds up to 1500 rpm. Specifically,

• The noise would occur after a mileage of approximately 32,000 kilometres or after an oil change;
• The noise could be clearly heard in the area of the first crankshaft main bearing;
• The noise would not be present when the poly-V belt was removed;
• The noise was a pulse-like crackling that occurred at irregular intervals; and,
• 20 pulses (ticking) represented a ‘justifiable complaint’.

These symptoms were attributed to a ‘run-in effect’ or defect of the first crankshaft main bearing shells. To verify the complaint, the poly-V belt was to be removed to see if that eliminated the noise. To fix, the bearing shells of the first crankshaft main bearing were to be replaced.

Mercedes-Benz W220 S 320 CDI and S 350 CDI: OM642 engine

• Pre-2010 OM642 engines were susceptible to oil cooler leaks due to heat-related seal degradation. In 2010, Mercedes-Benz introduced more durable Viton seals which could be identified by their purple colour (the previously used seals were orange).
• The TWC temperature sensor (part no. A005 153 40 28) was susceptible to failure and was subsequently replaced with part no. A007 153 74 28. When the temperature sensor fails, the check engine light may illuminate and issue the OBD-2 diagnostic code P2031.
• The positive crankcase ventilation system vents to the inlet of the turbocharger. However, the vented air may contain too much oil to easily pass through the swirl motor valves which are downstream of the turbocharger. Once this oil and sludge begins to accumulate, the swirl motor valves may become inoperative and blow a fuse that controls other sensors which are required for the engine and emissions systems to operate properly. As a result, the vehicle will enter ‘limp home’ mode and limit engine speed to 3000 rpm.

2013 model year Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S 500: oil supply to cylinder head

In February 2013, Service Campaign Bulletin No. 2013010001 was issued for 2013 model year Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S 500 vehicles that had 4.7-litre biturbo M278 V8 engines. During installation at the factory, the check valve of the left and right secondary chain tensioners may have been pressed too deep into the cylinder heads and this could compromise oil supply into the cylinder head. As part of this service campaign, the check valve of the left and right secondary chain tensioners was to be removed.

Mercedes-Benz W221 S 350 and S 500: engine rattle noise after start-up

In December 2015, Mercedes-Benz issued Service Bulletin LI05.10-P-056435 Version 10 for Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S 350, S 400 and SL 500 vehicles that had the following engines:

• M2768 (S 350): up to engine 2768xx 30 001281;
• M2769 (S 350): up to engine 2769xx 30 406603; and
• M278 (S 500): up to engine 2789xx 30 191843.

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).

Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz W221/V221 S-Class

• The air conditioning may only work intermittently due to a faulty fan/blower.
• The parking brake may not work and a warning light may be illuminated on the dashboard due to the parking brake switch failing.
• Wind noise from the sliding roof may be due to a failed seal; if so, the glass panel needs to be replaced.
• For early models, the interior door panels may come loose; improved retention clips were subsequently released.