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Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220 common faults.

1998–2005. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220

nakhon100 / CC BY 2.0

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.

critical1

expensive6

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.

5G-Tronic (722.6): control unit in oil, coolant in the ATF

expensive

The Mercedes 5 speed 722.6 automatic (5G-Tronic / NAG1) has three faults that also recur on the used market: (1) the control electronics sit inside the gearbox housing, and a leaking connector lets oil onto the electronics; (2) cooling faults around 2003 (and later) can let antifreeze into the ATF, which shortens its life; (3) wear of the torque converter lock-up clutch contaminates the valve body and causes jerky shifts.

Applies to the transmission MB7226.

M113 V8: the rear crankshaft seal leaks

expensive

The rear crankshaft seal ages and oil seeps at the joint between the engine and the gearbox.

Applies to the engine M113E43, M113E50, M113E55 and 1 more.

cheap repair1

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.

W220 · 1998–2005

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

25 versions

Neighbouring generations

W220 · 1998–2005

W220 (1998-2005). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

W220 · 1998–2005

Next generation

W221 · 2005–2013

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

1998–2005. 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