KNOWN FAULTS · Mercedes-Benz

Known faults for the Mercedes-Benz CL (C216).

2006–2014 · Petrol

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

3 known faults with sources

Engines: CL 500 / 600 (Petrol)

M272 / M273 balance shaft sprocketTiming system

Engine / equipment: M272 V6 (280, 300, 350) and M273 V8 (450, 500, 550) in the C, E, CLK, CLS, SLK, ML, GL, R, S and CL
Period mentioned: 2004–2008 (engines below serial number 2729..30 468993)
Symptoms: Engine light with P0016 and P0017 (1200 and 1208 on Mercedes diagnostics), rattle on start-up, hesitation, misfires and, in severe cases, stalling.
Possible cause described: Balance shaft sprocket (M272) or timing idler gear (M273) made from metal that is too soft: the teeth wear, the chain goes slack and the timing slips. Mercedes changed the material in mid-2008.
Check for the garage: Compare the engine serial number with the 2729..30 468993 cut-off, read cam correlation codes and, if in doubt, inspect the sprocket with a borescope. First rule out the cam adjuster magnet (a cheap fault).
Cost cited in the source: Engine-out repair: over €3,700 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: CL 500 / 600 (Petrol) · CL 63 AMG (M156, 6.2 V8, hasta 2010) (Petrol) · CL 63 / 65 AMG (5.5 V8 / 6.0 V12) (Petrol)

Applies if: Only if fitted with air suspension.

AIRMATIC leaks and compressorSuspension

Engine / equipment: AIRMATIC air suspension: E-Class W211, W212 and W213, S W220 to W223, CLS, CL, ML W164, GL, GLE and GLS
Period mentioned: 2002–2026
Symptoms: One corner sags overnight, suspension fault warning, the compressor runs a lot or a compressor overheated message appears; eventually the car sits low and rides hard.
Possible cause described: The air bellows on the struts leak with age, often at the upper crimp rings, and the compressor overworks until it burns out. The valve block and lines also leak, and the compressor relay (in the rear SAM on W221, W222 and W213) and ride height sensors fail.
Check for the garage: Spray soapy water on bellows, lines and valve block; read each corner's data with Xentry; check the compressor fuse and relay. Do not replace the compressor without fixing the leak first, or the new one will fail soon.
Cost cited in the source: Compressor: approx. €600–1,200 at an independent garage (converted from Canadian dollars); bellows: depends on the cornerA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 95,000–115,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Engines: CL 63 AMG (M156, 6.2 V8, hasta 2010) (Petrol)

AMG 6.2 (M156) head bolts and camshaftsEngine (cylinder head / valvetrain)

Engine / equipment: M156 6.2 V8 AMG (C 63 W204, E 63 W211 and W212 until 2011, CLK 63, CLS 63, ML 63, S 63 and CL 63 until 2010, SL 63)
Period mentioned: 2006–2015
Symptoms: Coolant loss, coolant in the oil or white smoke (broken head bolts); rattle or ticking on start-up (camshaft and lifter wear).
Possible cause described: Cylinder head bolts that break on engines up to 2012 (Mercedes bulletin from 2011) and nodular cast-iron camshafts that wear together with the lifters, mainly on the intake side (bulletin from 2009).
Check for the garage: Overnight cooling system pressure test, oil analysis and camshaft inspection with a borescope.
Cost cited in the source: Major engine repair (several thousand euros)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.