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Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 63 AMG common faults.

2010–2014, saloon, petrol, 525 HP.

The fault list covers: M157DE55AL engine.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 17 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

The Mercedes Airmatic system holds the ride height with air springs and electronically controlled dampers. The most common faults over time are the relay, the compressor and a leaking air spring or air line.

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The rear air springs of the 2003 to 2009 E-Class (W211) are particularly prone to leaking along the clamps. If the system leaks, the compressor runs continuously, overheats and fails, so an unrepaired leak takes the compressor with it.

Symptoms: one corner of the car sinks by morning, an "Air Suspension" or level control fault message, and compressor noise while standing. It was an option (or standard) across several generations from the W220 S-Class onwards; the estate E-Class often has air springs with level control on the rear axle as standard.

between 100,000 and 220,000 km

What to check

  • In the morning, before setting off, look at all four corners: an uneven stance means a suspected leak
  • With the car standing, listen to the compressor: continuous running indicates it is overworked
  • Ask for a fault code read on the suspension controller (level and pressure sensor codes of the C1132 / C1144 kind)
3 more steps in the write-up

The cylinder wall is formed by a Silitec liner: a silicon-carbide aluminium surface that is hard and conducts heat well. This material, however, does not cope well with high temperature and occasional detonation, and the cylinder wall becomes scored as a result. The maker finally switched to the Nanoslide coating precisely because of Silitec's cylinder scoring problems.

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On a damaged wall the piston ring does not seal, so oil gets into the combustion chamber: oil consumption rises and compression falls. The wear is reported from 120 000 kilometres, and it is faster the more the engine is run under high load.

The symptom is rising oil consumption and blue smoke under load. The repair involves opening up the engine, because the pistons have to come out to change the rings, and if the wall is already scored, changing the rings alone is not enough.

At a purchase the oil consumption is the measurable sign: ask how much has to be topped up between changes, and ask for a compression or leak-down test.

above 120,000 km

What to check

  • Ask how much oil has to be topped up between changes
  • Watch the exhaust under load: blue smoke means oil burning
  • Ask for a compression or leak-down test: the wear is measurable here
2 more steps in the write-up

At a cold start a rattle comes from the top of the engine, and it is loudest when the car has stood for hours. The cause is the secondary timing chains slapping until the oil pressure builds up in the tensioner system.

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It is not the mileage that marks out the affected cars but the engine number. The maker issued a service document for this in June 2013, and in it the examples with an engine number below 157 9xx 60 022333 are the affected ones; that runs up to production in December 2012. The engines built after that already received the revised parts.

The repair is a revised secondary chain tensioner, and with it a check valve in the oil supply passage: that holds the pressure with the engine stopped, so the tensioner gets oil sooner at start-up. The engine does not have to come out, but the work takes more than a day and costs between 3000 and 4000 pounds. On some cars the maker carried it out under warranty.

According to owners the rattle was not followed by engine damage, and there were cases where it did not get louder in six years. That does not change the fact that the revised part is the right direction, and at a purchase the question is simple: is there an invoice for it.

What to check

  • Start it cold and stand next to the car: the rattle is audible from outside, perhaps not from the driver's seat
  • Ask when it last stood for hours: that is when it is loudest
  • Check the engine number: the examples below 157 9xx 60 022333 are the affected ones
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 63 AMG

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 recall17 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 7 June 2017

A12/0904/17Safety recallInjuries7 June 2017 · EU Safety Gate

The underbody panelling under the engine compartment may not be properly connected to the front bumper. In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, this would increase the risk of injury to the pedestrian's legs.

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: 07/06/2017

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00017/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00280/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The adhesive bond between the glass panel and the sliding-roof frame may not meet the specifications. As a result, the glass panel could become completely detached from the vehicle, posing the risk to the following traffic.

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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00391/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to improper adhesive bonding of the glass panel to the sliding roof frame, the panel may detach from the moving vehicle, creating a risk of an accident, injuries. 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): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00598/21Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Cracks could occur in the high pressure lines between the fuel rail and the injectors. As a result, diesel fuel could leak into the engine compartment, increasing the risk of fire. Moreover, due to the fuel leak the engine might not start, or the emergency operating mode might be activated.

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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00618/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Moisture can penetrate into the busbar, giving rise to conductive contacts between the individual lines inside it. The resulting current flows could overheat the plastic material of the busbar, 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01237/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The seal for the special plug-in contact of the gearbox designed to protect against contact with moisture and splashing water is improperly installed. Thus splashed water can enter the socket contact when driving in wet conditions and can lead to a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. 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): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01979/24Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The electrical connector of the transmission wiring harness may not have been correctly processed. This can lead to water entering the connector, which could cause short circuit and can create a thermal overload of the connector when the vehicle is parked, causing the risk of fire. 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): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0457/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Following the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective. This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.

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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0783/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The riveting of the front seat belt housing covers may be inadequate under low temperatures (below -17.5°C). In the event of an accident, the rivets could fail and release the housing cover. This can result in a loss of the seat belt’s restraining effect, increasing the risk of injury.

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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/1447/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The calibration of the occupant classification system for the passenger seat does not work correctly. If a child seat is installed on the passenger seat, the airbag might not be deactivated and be deployed 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/03711/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixing screws fail, the power-assisted steering could detach, resulting in a loss of power steering and an increased 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): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

M157DE55AL

395–430 kW (537–585 HP) · petrol

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
CLS 63 AMG
Body
saloon
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
5461 cc
Power
386 kW (525 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2010–2014

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