Recalls & faults: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class (2006-12)

Recalls: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-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 X164 GL-Class

2006-07 Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class Diesel: crankshaft position sensor

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).

Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class: Takata airbag recall

In May 2018, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class vehicles that were available for sale from 1 August 2006 to 30 September 2012. In these vehicles, the airbag inflator contained propellant wafers that could degrade over time due to high temperatures and humidity. In the event of a collision, the airbag could deploy too aggressively such that the metal inflator housing could explode/rupture and cause metal fragments to be propelled through the airbag cushion and towards vehicle occupants. These metal fragments could cause serious injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16775.

2005-12 Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class: reduced braking performance

In May 2022, recall campaign RC3020/3020A was issued for 2005-12 Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class vehicles. In these vehicles, corrosion may affect the sealing of the brake booster, causing the brake booster to leak and a reduction in braking performance. In cases of very severe corrosion, hard braking may damage the brake booster and this could reduce braking performance. Both of these conditions increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. As part of the recall, Mercedes-Benz advised that owners should stop driving their vehicle immediately and contact an authorised Mercedes-Benz service centre to arrange an inspection as soon as possible. If signs of advanced corrosion were present, a diagnostic test would be performed and, if failed, the brake booster would be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005438.

Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-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.

2006 Mercedes X164 GL 500: M273 V8 engine and worn timing chain guide

In May 2011, Mercedes-Benz issued service bulletin LI03.30-P-050027 for Mercedes-Benz X164 ML 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.

2006-08 Mercedes X164 GL 500: M273 V8 engine and cam plug oil leak

Mercedes-Benz 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).

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 3000rpm.

2006-12 Mercedes-Benz X164 GL 450 and GL 500: actuator cam for VIM

For 2006-12 Mercedes-Benz X164 GL 450 and GL 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.

Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class

• For the GL 500, the ‘check engine’ light may illuminate and a code may be stored for a problem with the secondary air injection system; reflashing the control module, however, usually fixes the problem.
• For the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, drivability problems, poor fuel economy and engine knock may be attributable to a bad fuel pressure regulator.
• For the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, fuel may leak from the low-pressure hose fitting in cold weather or the high-pressure fuel pump.
• A ‘low oil’ warning or instruction to add oil at the next stop – when the oil level is acceptable on the dipstick – may be due to an incorrectly specified, a faulty oil level switch or software error.
• The power-operated rear tailgate may stop working due to a failed control module.
• The speed-sensitive power steering may stop working due to a faulty solenoid on the rack-and-pinion assembly.
• For models fitted with sunroofs, water may leak into the vehicle if the drain hose is incorrectly routed.