Recalls: Mercedes W212 E 63 AMG
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 W212 E 63 AMG
2012-14 Mercedes-Benz W212 E-Class: potential engine fire
In March 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W212 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).
2015 Mercedes-Benz W212 E-Class: potential engine fire
In August 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W212 E-Class sedans 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 W212 E-Class: fuel pump may stop operating
In November 2016, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz W212 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 W212 E 63 AMG Sedan: deployment of driver’s airbag
In February 2018, recall RC2437/A was issued for Mercedes-Benz W212 E 63 AMG Sedans 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.
2009-11 Mercedes-Benz W212 E 63 AMG: Takata airbag recall
In December 2018, recall campaign RC2593 was issued for Mercedes-Benz W212 E 63 AMG Sedans that were available for sale in Australia from 1 May 2009 to 19 September 2011. These vehicles had Takata airbags and, over time, propellant wafers inside the airbag could absorb moisture. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure inside the metal airbag inflator housing could cause it to explode or rupture, such that metal fragments may be projected through the airbag and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments had the potential to cause serious injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17190.
Problems and faults: Mercedes W212 E 63 AMG
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.
M156 engine (E 63 AMG): cylinder head bolt failure
For 6.2-litre M156 engines with engines numbers up to 1569xx 60 060658 (corresponding to engines produced from 2006 to the first half of 2010), the cylinder head bolts can stretch and snap.
The M156 engine has ‘torque to yield’ bolts which are designed to achieve a specific clamping pressure by being tightened to a specific torque and then turned a specific number of degrees. To achieve the intended clamping pressure, the upper section of the bolts is designed to stretch slightly. While the exact cause is unclear, it has been suggested that the design of the bolts, their metallurgy or corrosion causes them to stretch and snap.
The failure of one head bolt puts additional stress on the other bolts, causing further failures. The loss of clamping pressure allows coolant and oil to enter the combustion chamber; coolant can also be forced up through the failed head bolt locations into the top of the heads, causing white smoke and a rough idle. In severe cases, the cylinders can experience hydro lock, causing the piston to seize and destroying the entire engine.
Symptoms of head bolt failure are:
- Repeated low coolant levels;
- High oil level (from coolant getting into the oil);
- Illumination of the check engine light (CEL); and,
- White exhaust smoke (burning oil).
To test for head bolt failure, the coolant system could be pressurised and allowed to sit over night to see if the coolant level had dropped and if coolant was present in the oil.
In April 2011, Mercedes-Benz issued service bulletin LI01.30-P-051567 regarding broken cylinder head bolts for the M156 engine which caused coolant to enter the engine oil and/or the combustion chamber. The service bulletin identified the following symptoms:
- CEL (Check Engine Light) illumination;
- Misfire;
- Rough running; and,
- Low coolant indicator illumination.
To fix, the cylinder heads had to be removed so that the piston deck height could be measured. If the measurement from the top surface of the crankcase to the top surface of the piston was outside of specification (the maximum deck height was 0.23 mm), then the affected connecting rod with piston and bearings had to be replaced. As part of the repair, all cylinder head bolts and hydraulic tappets were to be replaced.
M156 V8 engine (E 63 AMG): 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-Benz W212 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 W212 E 63 AMG vehicles 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).
