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Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé common faults.

2011–2015, coupé, petrol, 156 HP.

The fault list covers: M271DE18AL, M271KE18ML engine, MB6MT transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 5 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical2

M271, M272, M273: a leaking camshaft adjuster magnet and oil in the wiring harness

critical

The solenoid of the camshaft adjuster is sealed from the factory by nothing more than a plain sealing ring, and over time that starts to leak. The maker's own bulletin names two places: if the leak is between the solenoid and the cylinder head, the sealing ring has to be replaced, and if it comes through the electrical connector, then the solenoid itself.

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The more serious trouble is at the connector. Through it the engine oil gets into the engine wiring harness and travels under the insulation by capillary action, so it reaches the engine control unit and other important parts as well. The loss of the control unit is the end of that road, and serious engine damage can follow; alongside the contaminated harness the most varied fault messages can appear. Cases have been reported where the oil ran out of the connector, and the consequential damage after that was already large.

The check is simple: the connector of the solenoid has to be taken off and looked at to see whether it is oily. In the fault memory a faulty solenoid gives one of the codes 0059, 0060, 0063, 0064, 0271, 0272, 0275 and 0276. One thing is worth knowing: according to the maker only the solenoid that has a corresponding code has to be replaced, so if a workshop has changed all four of them alongside two codes, that is worth asking about.

The engine number decides what is in the car. Above engine number 2729..30 759427 (M272) and 2739..30 193592 (M273) the maker already fitted the improved solenoid, under part number A272 051 01 77. The oil-leaking solenoid is a problem on engine numbers below 2729..30 895140 and 2739..30 236360.

The prevention is the oil stop cable, which has to be fitted between the solenoid and the harness: the two wires contain a sealed copper sleeve covered with heat-shrink tubing, and that stops the oil from travelling further. It is available from the factory and is not expensive: the two solenoids were around 33 euros and the two oil stop cables around 31 euros, while replacing the control unit is a four-figure sum.

between 90,000 and 130,000 kmfrom 31 EUR

What to check

  • Ask whether an oil stop cable has been fitted between the camshaft solenoids and the harness
  • Ask for a check: taking the connector off the solenoid shows whether it is oily
  • Read the fault memory and look for codes 0059, 0060, 0063, 0064, 0271, 0272, 0275 and 0276
3 more steps in the write-up

M271 1.8: stretching timing chain and worn camshaft adjuster

critical

On the four cylinder, supercharged 1.8 M271 the timing chain stretches and the sprockets of the camshaft adjuster (Nockenwellenversteller) wear out. The two go together: a stretched chain makes the adjuster work worse, and a worn adjuster loads the chain further.

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The symptom shows up on a cold start first: a short, metallic rattle or knock from the front of the engine that quietens after a few seconds. Later an engine warning light and timing control fault codes join it.

In the official complaint database the four cylinder M271 model group (C 180/200/230/250, E 200, SLK 200/250, GLK 250, CLS 250) has 16 reports between 2008 and 2015, and 8 of those carry a mileage. The raw numbers fall between 61,000 and 152,000 km, from eight reports.

All 16 reports fall on the 2012 to 2014 model years of the C 250. The complaint texts repeatedly mention the maker's extended warranty.

On a warm engine the rattle cannot be heard.

reported complaints only

What to check

  • Start it cold: the chain rattle is audible in the first few seconds and disappears once warm
  • Do not accept the seller bringing the car warmed up; ask them to start it from standing, cold
  • Ask for a fault code read: timing control and camshaft position codes
3 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

Electronic steering lock (ESL): the key turns, the car will not start

expensive

In the W204 C-Class era the electronic steering lock (ESL) built into the steering column can fail. The key is in place and turns, the dash may even come to life, but the steering lock does not release, so the engine will not start.

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In the official complaints the 2008 to 2015 model years carry 78 reports, clustered on the 2009 and 2011 C300. The measured mileage is high: a tenth of the complaints fall below 113,000 km, half around 151,000, and a tenth above 274,000.

The fault arrives suddenly, and the car stays where it is, so it needs a flatbed. The repair involves the steering column, and the unit is coded, so a used part is not an option; replacing or refurbishing the steering lock is the usual route.

Not one of the 78 reports mentions a shutdown while driving, fire or injury. The ESL fails at startup, not in service.

between 113,000 and 274,000 kmreported complaints only

What to check

  • Start the car several times, cold and warm: an ESL fault is intermittent at first
  • Watch whether the steering moves when the key goes in: releasing the lock has a characteristic sound
  • Ask for a fault code read on the steering column module (ESL / EZS)
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall5 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 1 September 2017

A12/1352/17Safety recallFire1 September 2017 · EU Safety Gate

The starter current limiter may be overloaded and overheat. As a consequence, the surrounding components could ignite, leading to a fire.

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: 01/09/2017

The authority's notice

A12/00323/21Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The maximum permissible operating temperature of individual diodes on the alternator rectifier bridge could be exceeded and the diodes could subsequently fail. Consequently, an improper flow of current from the on-board electrical system battery through the alternator to the vehicle earth could occur. As a result, the windings in the alternator stator could be heated to such an extent that an outbreak of fire cannot be ruled out.

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

A12/0164/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

There may be cracks in a securing nut in the steering gear of rear-wheel-drive vehicles. The nut could consequently break if the steering system is subject to a very high lateral force, which could result in rotating parts in the steering gear affecting the casing and thereby blocking the steering system.

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

A12/0296/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

In vehicles with rear-wheel drive, a lock nut in the steering gear may be cracked. Consequently, when the steering is placed under high forces it could break, which would block the steering gear and increase the risk of 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

A12/0561/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The steering coupling might not have been screwed to the correct torque specification. As a consequence, the steering coupling can become detached from the steering wheel axle and it would become impossible to steer 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

Engine and transmission

2 engines · 1 transmissions

M271DE18AL

135–150 kW (184–204 HP) · petrol

MB6MT · 6-speed manual, longitudinal (Mercedes-Benz)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit450 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one engine code is possible. The fault list shows the faults of each.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé
Body
coupé
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1796 cc
Power
115 kW (156 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2011–2015

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All W204 versions

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