KNOWN FAULTS · Mercedes-Benz
Known faults for the Mercedes-Benz Clase E (W210).
2000–2002 · Petrol / Diesel
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
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3 known faults with sources
Engines: E 200 / 240 / 320 (Petrol) · E 200 / 220 / 270 / 320 CDI (Diesel) · E 55 AMG (5.4 V8) (Petrol)
Applies if: Only W210 with air conditioning and the described pressure sensor/switch. Behr Hella Service bulletin of 20/10/2006 explicitly includes all engines; confirm a reading discrepancy >2 bar before replacing.
Air conditioning: incorrect pressure readingClimate control
- Engine / equipment
- Air conditioning in documented 170, 208 and W210 platforms.
- Period mentioned
- No year cutoff published; verify platform and A/C.
- Symptoms
- Compressor fails to engage or operates intermittently.
- Possible cause described
- Pressure sensor/switch may give incorrect values.
- Check for the garage
- Compare scan-tool and high-side gauge pressure; replace sensor if difference >2 bar.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: E 200 / 240 / 320 (Petrol) · E 200 / 220 / 270 / 320 CDI (Diesel) · E 55 AMG (5.4 V8) (Petrol)
Body rust and spring perches on the W210Body / structure
- Engine / equipment
- Body of the E-Class W210 saloon and S210 estate (all engines)
- Period mentioned
- 1995–2003
- Symptoms
- Bubbles and rust on the front wings, wheel arches, door bottoms and under the upper door seals, around the boot lock, around the windscreen and at the bottom of the grille. A car sitting lower at one front corner can indicate a broken spring or spring perch.
- Possible cause described
- Corrosion protection on this generation was poor, and owners agree that facelifted cars are also affected. The most serious rust is hidden: the front spring perches and the front cross member, whose plastic tray traps water. If a perch gives way, that corner of the car can drop while driving.
- Check for the garage
- On a lift: front spring perches (hard to see with wheels on), front cross member (visible from above between radiator and engine), boot floor and the battery area under the rear seat. Compare the ride height at all four corners. Structural rust is bodyshop work and should be repaired before further use.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verifiable estimate in the sources; it depends on how far the rust has spread. Ask a bodyshop for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
MBWorld (W210 forum): rust, boot and spring seatsMBWorld (W210 forum): widespread corrosionMBClub UK (forum): spring seat and broken spring on a W210MBClub UK (forum): where to look for rust on a 2001 W210MBClub UK (forum): the facelift W210 rusts tooMBClub UK (forum): common E320 estate S210 faults
View full entryEngines: E 200 / 240 / 320 (Petrol) · E 200 / 220 / 270 / 320 CDI (Diesel) · E 55 AMG (5.4 V8) (Petrol)
Applies if: Only if fitted with the automatic gearbox described in the record.
13-pin connector leak on the 722.6 gearboxAutomatic gearbox
- Engine / equipment
- 722.6 five-speed automatic (5G-Tronic), not the 7G-Tronic: C-Class W203, E-Class W210 and W211, CLK, S-Class W220, ML W163, SLK, SL R230, Vito and Sprinter with this gearbox
- Period mentioned
- 1996–2013
- Symptoms
- Oil around the electrical connector on the side of the gearbox, harsh shifts or slipping, delayed engagement and limp mode: the car stays in one gear (usually 2nd and reverse after a restart) and the engine light comes on.
- Possible cause described
- The plastic adapter of the 13-pin connector has O-rings that harden and let oil out. Oil can wick up inside the wiring to the gearbox control unit and damage it. If the problem persists after replacing the connector, there may be oil in the harness, a damaged wire or a conductor plate fault.
- Check for the garage
- Read the gearbox control unit codes before switching off if possible (a restart can clear them). Look for oil at the connector and, with it unplugged, on its pins and at the control unit plug. According to the service bulletin, the connector should only be removed with gearbox oil below 50 °C to avoid damaging the conductor plate, and the harness must be routed without tension.
- Cost cited in the source
- Connector adapter: about $15–20 in parts (US prices quoted in the sources), plus the lost fluid; labour extra. If oil has reached the control unit, the repair is bigger.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
Brake & Front End (ALLDATA): oil leak at the 722.6 connectorMercedesMedic: replacing the 722.6 13-pin connectorMercedesMedic: P0715 and P0720 codes and limp modeMBClub UK (forum): oil in the 722.6 harness on an ML55Bob Is The Oil Guy (forum): CLK320 in limp modeThe Transmission Shop: leaks and limp mode in Mercedes gearboxes
View full entryEngines for this model
- E 200 / 240 / 320Petrol
- E 200 / 220 / 270 / 320 CDIDiesel
- E 55 AMG (5.4 V8)Petrol