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Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 common faults.

2005–2017. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251

M 93 / Attribution

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical5

M272 V6: early wear of the balance shaft gear

critical

On the M272 V6 petrol engines sold between 2004 and 2007 (with engine numbers below 2729..30 468993) the balance shaft gear wears out early.

Applies to the engine M272E30, M272E35, M273E55.

expensive3

7G-Tronic (722.9): mechatronics and conductor plate

expensive

In the Mercedes 7 speed 722.9 automatic (7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus) the mechatronics unit and the conductor plate (Leiterplatte) age over time: jerking on shifts, delayed engagement, a "Getriebe schützen" message, and fault codes on the gearbox electronics.

Applies to the transmission MB7229.

12 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall6 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

Most recent: 26 April 2024

24V298000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM26 April 2024 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

The authority's notice

22V315000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM9 May 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.

Risk: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

The authority's notice

A12/0083/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The axle screws on the front/rear axle may not have been correctly secured which could lead to an overload on the remaining screw connections on the axle concerned. This overload may result in the rupture of the screws and under certain conditions, in loss of control over the vehicle.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00830/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Severe corrosion may lead to a leakage of the brake booster, thus reducing the braking force, leading to an increase in brake pedal force required to decelerate the vehicle, resulting in a possible increase in stopping distance. Moreover, due to severe corrosion, a particularly strong or severe braking manoeuvre may cause mechanical damage to the brake booster, preventing the vehicle from decelerating through the service brake and thus increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0121/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The sport seats and the roll bar are not compatible. There may be contact between the headrest and the roll bar in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01236/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel. In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

W251 · 2005–2017

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

29 versions

Neighbouring generations

W251 · 2005–2017

W251 (2005-2017). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

W251 · 2005–2017

Next generation

This is the latest.

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2005–2017. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms