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Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 180 Cabriolet common faults.

2018–2023, convertible, petrol, 156 HP.

The fault list covers: M264E15DEAL engine, MB7229, MB7250 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 14 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

On the transverse M260 and longitudinal M264 four cylinder petrol engines the valve seat or the valve guide wears early. The symptom: check engine light, rough running, misfire on one or more cylinders. Sometimes without any fault code being stored.

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According to the maker's official service bulletin (LI01.30-P-072328) the valve seat leaks. After the leak test, if a leak is found at the valves, the whole cylinder head has to be replaced: the valve seat cannot be refurbished. The roller width of the intake and exhaust side followers differs, and swapping them is prohibited.

In the United States the maker announced a 15 year / 150,000 mile (about 240,000 km) extended emissions warranty for the M260 group (MY2019 to 2022 A / CLA / GLA / GLB). Outside the United States that programme does not apply automatically, but the fault is the same mechanism. The GLB 250, the CLA 250 and the A 220 use this engine.

between 40,000 and 150,000 km

What to check

  • Ask for a fault code read: misfire codes of the P0300 / P030x kind and mixture formation codes are suspect
  • On a cold start watch for rough running and the check engine light
  • Ask whether the cylinder head has already been replaced: according to the service bulletin that is the repair, not valve lapping
2 more steps in the write-up

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.

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The repair is typically replacing the mechatronics unit or the conductor plate together with an oil change: not the whole gearbox. The complaint is most common on the longitudinal platforms from around 2005 to 2015 (C/E/ML and the early GLC).

The 9G-Tronic (725.0) is a different design; this applies only to the 7G.

between 100,000 and 220,000 km

What to check

  • Try it cold and warm: a delayed 1 to 2 or 2 to 3 shift is suspect
  • Watch for the gearbox warning or the "Getriebe schützen" message on the dash
  • Ask for a fault code read on the gearbox controller (not just the engine codes)
1 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 180 Cabriolet

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

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

Official recall14 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 2 October 2020

20V608000LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES2 October 2020 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300 vehicles. The center console lock-system might not lock properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection In Interior Impact."

Risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the center console lid may open, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the center console storage compartment, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020100006.

The authority's notice

18V909000PARKING BRAKEPARKING BRAKE19 December 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA,LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2019 C43 AMG, C43 AMG Cabrio, C43 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, C300 4MATIC, C300 4MATIC Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 4MATIC Cabrio, and C300 vehicles. After parking and exiting the vehicle, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) software may prevent the electronic parking brake from being disengaged when returning to the vehicle, unless the ESP system is deactivated.

Risk: Driving the vehicle with the ESP system deactivated could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes has notified owners, and dealers will update the ESP system software, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2018120025.

The authority's notice

A12/00045/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. 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

A12/00131/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to delivery of the wrong complete winter tyre kit, clients/garages may have installed a wheel-tyre-combination which is not authorised for the vehicles. When driving, high loads together with high speeds could overstrain the tyres and result in inadmissible heating which could cause damage to the tyres.

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

A12/00149/21Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The wiring harness for the steering control device may have been damaged during the production process and can allow moisture to ingress into the control unit. This may lead to the loss of electric steering support, increasing the risk of accident. Moreover, a short circuit of the damaged wiring harness can occur, leading to increased risk of 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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00669/21Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Faulty connection of the inerting system’s gas pipes could impair the intended distribution of argon shielding gas to the points where there could be contact between the leaking refrigerant R1234yf and hot engine components in the event of an accident. This would reduce the cooling effect of the inerting gas, leading to increased risk of 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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00902/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The brake discs installed on the front axle may be too small (in diameter and thickness) and would not sit symmetrically in the brake calliper. As a result, the brake lining can wear out and a gap between the piston and the sealing ring can be formed, allowing brake fluid to leak out. This will impair the braking performance, increasing the risk 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

A12/00968/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to a defect in the high fuel pressure manifold the engine might be damaged. This may lead to reduced engine power and to inability to start the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with 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): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00974/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The heat shielding plate on the exhaust gas turbocharger may not comply with the specifications. As a result, it can come into contact with the oil pipe of the turbocharger and damage it, leading to increased risk of 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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01178/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The ESP control unit software does not comply with the specifications and may not be able to adapt to the type of brakes installed. This can cause the ESP system to be unable to respond as intended to a possible drift of the yaw rate sensor or to a failure of the brake vacuum supply. As a result, the ESP intervention may be inappropriate to the driving situation, increasing the risk 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

A12/01336/20Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to the lack of documentation, there is no confirmation that the screw connections of the turbocharger’s oil-supply and oil-return pipes were correctly executed during the assembly process. In the event of a loose screw connection, oil might leak at the oil-supply and/or oil-return pipe of the turbocharger. The leaking oil might then come into contact with hot components, increasing the risk of 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: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01532/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The belt tensioner arm may have been manufactured with a borderline tolerance, which could cause one side of the V-ribbed belt to rub against the belt tensioner, causing it to fail. As a result, the coolant pump may stop working, causing the engine to overheat, thus compromising the impermeability of the oil sump. Consequently, oil may leak onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. 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

A12/01557/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

In certain GLE/GLS (BR 167) and C-class vehicles, the seats might be constructed incomplete or with unintended trim, increasing the risk of injury in the event 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

A12/1130/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The fixing screws for the turbocharger oil return line and the crankcase breather pipe may have been interchanged. Due to a screw being too long, the pre-tensioning force of the screw connection may be insufficient and oil could leak from the turbocharger oil return line. As a result, oil could come into contact with hot components, increasing the risk of 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: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

1 engines · 2 transmissions

M264E15DEAL

10–115 kW (14–156 HP) · petrol

MB7229 · 7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus, longitudinal (Mercedes 722.9 / NAG2)

automatic · 7 speed

Torque limit700 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one transmission is possible. 7 gears = MB7229, 9 gears = MB7250.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
C 180 Cabriolet
Body
convertible
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1497 cc
Power
115 kW (156 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2018–2023

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

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