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

2011–2015, SUV, petrol, 525 HP.

The fault list covers: M157DE55AL engine, MB7229 transmission.

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

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

Before you buy

Known faults

4 important faults

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.

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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

Airmatic air suspension: leaking air spring, overworked compressor

expensive

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

Silitec cylinder liner: the ring does not seal on a scored wall

expensive

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

Chain tensioner: the engine number decides, not the mileage

expensive

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 ML-Class ML 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

Faults of this model

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

Official recall3 recallsShow

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

A12/0069/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to incorrect functioning of the occupancy sensor system on the passenger's side, the airbag may not deploy 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

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

We could not check this: model year. 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

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

Engine and transmission

M157DE55AL

395–430 kW (537–585 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.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
ML 63 AMG
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
5461 cc
Power
386 kW (525 HP)
Drive
AWD
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 W166 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