Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
525–585 PS
5.5L V8 BiTurbo Benzin
525 hp BiTurbo sleeper — rear-wheel drive, perfect chassis
Fun to Drive!408–455 PS
4.7L V8 BiTurbo Benzin
9 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 is available as Limousine and T-Modell and Coupé and Cabrio — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 is available with 16 engine variants — from 120 to 585 hp. 6 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Mercedes-Benz E 200 CDI (Diesel, 136 PS) has the OM651DE22 (2.1L Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 220 CDI (Diesel, 163–177 PS) comes with 4 different engines: OM651DE22 (2009–2016, Stay Away!) und OM651DE22 (2009–2016, Stay Away!) und OM651DE22 (2009–2016, Stay Away!) und OM651DE22 (2009–2016, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the E 220 CDI!
The Mercedes-Benz E 250 CDI (Diesel, 204 PS) has the OM651DE22 (2.1L Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 300 CDI (Diesel, 231 PS) has the OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 350 BlueTEC (Diesel, 258 PS) has the OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 350 CDI (Diesel, 252–265 PS) comes with 4 different engines: OM642 (2009–2016, Stay Away!) und OM642 (2009–2016, Stay Away!) und OM642 (2010–2016, Stay Away!) und OM642 (2010–2016, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the E 350 CDI!
The Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63 (Benziner, 525 PS) has the M156 (6.2L V8 AMG) — rated: "Stay Away!", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 200 (Benziner, 184 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M271 (2009–2013, Stay Away!) und M274 (2013–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the E 200!
The Mercedes-Benz E 250 (Benziner, 204–211 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M271 (2009–2013, Stay Away!) und M274 (2013–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the E 250!
The Mercedes-Benz E 300 (Benziner, 252 PS) has the M276 (3.0-3.5L V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 350 (Benziner, 272–306 PS) comes with 3 different engines: M272 (2009–2013, Stay Away!) und M272 (2009–2013, Stay Away!) und M276 (2011–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the E 350!
The Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabrio (Benziner, 272 PS) has the M276 (3.0-3.5L V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 400 (Benziner, 333 PS) has the M276 (3.0-3.5L V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 500 (Benziner, 387–408 PS) comes with 3 different engines: M273 (2009–2011, Stay Away!) und M273 (2009–2011, Stay Away!) und M278 (2011–2016, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the E 500!
The Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG (Benziner, 525 PS) has the M157 (5.5L V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 11 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S (Benziner, 585 PS) has the M157 (5.5L V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 11 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Airmatic air suspension fails Airmatic system fails through compressor defects and air bag leaks. Vehicle drops. Rear axle often has to be removed. Symptoms: Rear sits low, Airmatic warning, compressor runs continuously from 150,000 km | High | |
| Worn front axle joints Worn joints and strut rod ends on the front axle are a recurring problem. Classic wear pattern at higher mileages. Symptoms: Clunking and rattling from the front when cornering, delayed steering response, MOT advisory from 100,000 km | Medium | |
| Front axle joints worn Worn ball joints and strut top mounts on the front axle are a recurring problem. Individual owners reported multiple repairs. Symptoms: Knocking and cracking from the front on cornering, imprecise steering, vibrations in the steering wheel from 80,000 km | Medium | |
| Front Axle Knocking Knocking and rattling from the front axle on uneven road surfaces. Causes: worn ball joints, anti-roll bar bushings. Symptoms: Knocking over speed humps, creaking when steering. from 100,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 95 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 (2009–2016) — 80 engine-related and 15 vehicle-related. 8 problem engines: OM651DE22 (2.1L Diesel), M271 (1.8L Kompressor), M272 (3.0-3.5L V6), M273 (5.0-5.5L V8), OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel), M156 (6.2L V8 AMG), M157 (5.5L V8 BiTurbo), M278 (4.7L V8 BiTurbo). Typical issues affect Suspension, Body, Rust, Brakes.
E-Klasse (OM651DE22, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Chain Tensioner Seal Leaking — Recall, Timing Chain Stretch (Simplex Chain), Piezo Injector Faults. Power: 136 PS.
E-Klasse (OM651DE22, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Chain Tensioner Seal Leaking — Recall, Timing Chain Stretch (Simplex Chain), Piezo Injector Faults. Power: 163–177 PS.
E-Klasse (OM651DE22, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Chain Tensioner Seal Leaking — Recall, Timing Chain Stretch (Simplex Chain), Piezo Injector Faults. Power: 204 PS.
E-Klasse (OM651DE22, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Chain Tensioner Seal Leaking — Recall, Timing Chain Stretch (Simplex Chain), Piezo Injector Faults. Power: 163–170 PS.
E-Klasse (OM642, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 224–231 PS.
E-Klasse (OM642, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 258–265 PS.
E-Klasse (OM642, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 252–265 PS.
E-Klasse (OM642, 2010–2017) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 252–258 PS.
E-Klasse (M271, 2009–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretches Prematurely, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Connector. Power: 184 PS.
E-Klasse (M271, 2009–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretches Prematurely, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Connector. Power: 204 PS.
E-Klasse (M272, 2009–2013) — Stay Away!: Balance Shaft Sprocket Wears Prematurely, Timing Chain Stretches and Damages Timing, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Wiring Harness Contaminated. Power: 272 PS.
E-Klasse (M272, 2009–2013) — Stay Away!: Balance Shaft Sprocket Wears Prematurely, Timing Chain Stretches and Damages Timing, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Wiring Harness Contaminated. Power: 292 PS.
E-Klasse (M273, 2009–2011) — Stay Away!: Balance shaft sprocket — same weakness as M272, Camshaft Adjuster Leaking — Oil in Wiring Harness, Valve cover gaskets leaking on both sides. Power: 387 PS.
E-Klasse (M156, 2009–2016) — Stay Away!: Head Bolt Corrosion — Coolant in Combustion Chamber, Camshaft Wear — Cold-Start Lubrication Deficit, Camshaft Adjuster — Locking Plate Wears Out. Power: 525 PS.
E-Klasse (M276, 2010–2017) — Be Careful: Oil cooler leaking in the V-block, Camshaft adjuster leaking — wiring harness contaminated, Piston slap (early 3.5L variants). Power: 272 PS.
E-Klasse (M276, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Oil cooler leaking in the V-block, Camshaft adjuster leaking — wiring harness contaminated, Piston slap (early 3.5L variants). Power: 252 PS.
E-Klasse (M276, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Oil cooler leaking in the V-block, Camshaft adjuster leaking — wiring harness contaminated, Piston slap (early 3.5L variants). Power: 306 PS.
E-Klasse (M157, 2011–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretch — M157 BiTurbo V8, Oil Consumption from Piston Ring Wear, High-Pressure Fuel Pump Fails — No Fuel Pressure. Power: 525 PS.
E-Klasse (M278, 2011–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing chain tensioner failure (early production), Cylinder bore scoring (Silitec coating), Camshaft adjuster solenoid — oil destroys ECU. Power: 408 PS.
E-Klasse (M274, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: High-Pressure Pump Faulty or Noisy, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Electric thermostat failure. Power: 184 PS.
E-Klasse (M274, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: High-Pressure Pump Faulty or Noisy, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Electric thermostat failure. Power: 211 PS.
E-Klasse (M276, 2013–2017) — Be Careful: Oil cooler leaking in the V-block, Camshaft adjuster leaking — wiring harness contaminated, Piston slap (early 3.5L variants). Power: 333 PS.
E-Klasse (M157, 2013–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretch — M157 BiTurbo V8, Oil Consumption from Piston Ring Wear, High-Pressure Fuel Pump Fails — No Fuel Pressure. Power: 585 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee