W204 C Class - 5 Things That Will Break (2007 - 2014)

I've been driving a C220 CDI W204 this 7 years and I've had none of the faults.

I own a 2014 year C250, which was the last W204 built in 2014. The only problem I had was an intermittent failure of the back-up camera’s visual image. It would black-out at times when shifted in reverse. The dealer provided a software update and it fixed the problem. Other than that, it runs great with zero problems. I love it. 👍💕

I am a very happy owner of Mercedes for rhe past 30 years of Trouble free and Reliable ownership. A well maintained car will never let you down. Remember- A stitch in Time saves Nine.

I own a 2011 C300. It has almost 300,000 miles on it. I’ve haven’t an issue with my thermostat but did replace it recently when replacing the oil filter housing gasket. I don’t have a diesel car so no glow plug issue. Also no issues with the EGR or MAF. All original parts still on the car. Runs like a dream. The issues I would add are FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. A common problem and frequent source of suspension knocks. INTAKE MANIFOLD — there’s some plastic parts that break over time due to engine heat. TORQUE CONVERTER — this is a known issue. If you don’t service the transmission periodically (change filter & fluid) the converter can go. I had to replace mine. I did it myself. No fun. Keep an eye on the PLASTIC PLUGS located in the trunk water channel. If any break or pop loose on the right side, water will drip onto the rear SAM module and cause issues with the break lights.

I've had my 2013 C200 since brand new and haven't replaced a single thing, nothing. Even the brake pads are still original and at 50% wear. Have it serviced at the recommended intervals and change the oil/filter myself half way between services.

For 12 years now I've been driving my C-350 2009 with none of those problems.

90 is the normal operating temperature for cars, All cars middle bit on the gauge is 90 but yours seems to be 80, so if it goes above that a little, its fine.

You forgot one pretty big one. Electronic Steering Lock (ESL), when this goes bad car will not turn on. The Radio and lights will turn on but the car will act like the key has not been inserted. If you own one listen to the sound the car makes when you insert your key, when that noise starts sounding more labored you can pretty much expect it to give way soon. You'll know it's gone completely when you insert your key and you don't hear anything (try multiple keys before you deem it bad). I work at a Merc dealer we do about one or two every few weeks. It calls for about 4-5 hours to R&R and the part is about $500-700 without a blue key.

Way too many words in a nice sounding but unintelligible foreign language :) Here's the essence: 1. Thermostat 2. Blower Motor Resistor 3. Glow plugs 4. EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation) 5. MAP sensor (manifold absolute pressure) Btw, I'm having #1.

Absolutely brilliant information. I am considering buying my first Mercedes ( a 10 year old C class), this has put my mind at rest. The diagnostic kit looks excellent too, i'm defo buying one. Thanks!

keep in mind w204 from 2007 - 2011 are different than the 2012 - 2014 the 2012 - 2014 is a much refined and updated car than the older one.

That electronic steering wheel lock issue is nasty issue. I got stranded out of town and had to have it towed to a dealer to fix . You cant do anything to the car once it happens.

This video should be renamed C-class W/S204 diesel issues.

You are SO right 2010 clc 85k thermostat just gone £29 fix diy job 45 minutes. New MAF fitted last year. I turned off EGR with a special box i fitted so no black smoke when you put your foot down hard. Looking forward to the others to go. Cheers. Ed

Very small issues. Cheap to repair. Is the most reliable car in his class. Bmw e90 has alot more expensive issues, dont even talk about Audi a4 which is crap and faulty like all vw cars

C350 sport petrol, no problems in 7 year ownership. Only items replaced were service items, brakes, discs and battery. Fingers crossed it continues this way.

Well assuming that we are talking about the w204 with the OM651 engine, which is the C200, C220 or the C250 there is something more important than those mentioned: THE TIMMING CHAIN ISSUES ! When the car is about 200k km (not miles) Mercedes recommends that you need to perform what it is called by mechanics, at least in my country, "the small distribution maintenance" ! This means changing the timming chain, timming chaing guidances and the chain tensioner! How will you know that ?! You will for sure, there is a chain rattling noise for a few seconds on a cold start. What can happen if you don't? Well, the chain produces this rattling noise because of 2 things: 1. It is loose, could be the fault of the tensioner or the fault of the guiding system. If it's the fault of the tensioner itself, you're in luck, that part is usually about 50 euro aftermarket or about 70 original. 2. It could be both the chain usage, meaning its loose because of the bad tensioner and bad guidance and this means that you have to change all of them, the parts are not expensive but because the chain is located behind the engine some mechanics could be very professional and change it on the car but most will take out the engine which will be over 1.000 euro; In case you disregard this issue you'll have to remember that the rattling noise is made by the chain not getting lubricated at a cold start and most probably being lose, that means it is touching for some seconds the housing of the chain and that is made out of aluminium which means that the chain touching the housing will produce span that will go into the engine and .... in time ... engine failure ... bye bye engine. And "in time" could mean few miles, or few months of daily driving it, all depends of how much the chain touches the housing and of course depends of how many starts the engine gets every day ... sometimes it rattles when the engine is left off for a couple of hours in a cold weather.

...have an '07 C320 CDI Avantgarde, 70k kms and still looks, runs and smells brand new :) but anyway, I can tell you the best way to clean EGR valve is with oven cleaner, did that on an old corolla and it cleans to brand new, essentially the soot gets to a point that the valve won't move in and out.

Had mine for almost 8 years now and none of these Problems

It’s pretty good for a top 5. Shows the car is very reliable 👍