Recalls: Mercedes S212 E 63 AMG 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 S212 E 63 AMG Estate
2012-14 Mercedes S212 E-Class Estate: potential engine fire
In March 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz S212 E-Class vehicles 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).
2012-13 Mercedes-Benz S212 E 63 AMG Estate: deployment of driver’s airbag
In February 2018, recall RC2437/A was issued for Mercedes-Benz S212 E 63 AMG 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 S212 E 63 AMG 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.
Mercedes S212 E 63 AMG (M156 engine): camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear
In a US class action – CEDRIC CHAN v. DAIMLER AG, MERCEDES-BENZ, MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC and MERCEDES-AMG GMBH – it was alleged that the combination of nodular cast iron camshafts and valve lifters made of 9310-grade steel resulted in premature wear of the M156 engine as a result of:
- the soft camshaft metal, and/or
- improper heat treating, and/or
- improper camshaft offset.
Specifically, the camshafts were designed so that the lobes would contact the valve lifters. When the camshaft lobes experienced wear, the surface would become rough or scored and no longer make contact with the lifters with the same precision – this would cause the lifters to wear prematurely, demonstrated by a gouged ring in the top of the valve lifter. The gouged ring wear on the buckets also indicated that the buckets were not spinning as intended. The result of this premature wear would be serious engine failure.
Symptoms of camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear include rattling or clattering noises on start-up. In service bulletin S-B 05.20/20b (produced in 2009), Mercedes-Benz acknowledged the problem of camshaft and valve tappet wear. Ultimately, the class action did not proceed due to the plaintiffs’ lack of standing.
Mercedes S212 E 63 AMG (M157 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 63 AMG Estates that had M157 engines with engine numbers up to 1579xx 60 047752.
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).
