Check engine came on so I take it to the shop they said it was the crankshaft sensors code but that code was not for the sensors it was for the timing chain they said its not running on time so now to fix it they are charning me almost $4000 I hear and been reading that a lot of people have the same problem with this engine they timing goes off so I think this problem should be investigated its…
2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine problems
moderate 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Owners have filed 34 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2007 Mercedes C-Class is a serious financial gamble: the M272/M273 engine's soft-metal balance shaft sprocket wears prematurely (often by 40,000–130,000 miles), triggering $4,000–$7,000 repair bills for timing chain failure, unannounced stalling, and loss of power on highways. Multiple owners also report camshaft solenoid failures, serpentine belt tensioner problems, and unexplained stalling—many before dealers will acknowledge the defects. Buy only with a pre-purchase inspection from an independent Mercedes specialist and expect major engine work within the first few years of ownership.
The 2007 Mercedes C-Class engine generates one dominant complaint: premature balance shaft sprocket wear in the M272/M273 engines. Owners consistently describe the sprocket as made from defective soft metal that fails prematurely, throwing off timing chain alignment and triggering check engine codes P0016, P0017, C1200, and C1208. Symptoms cluster around sudden power loss, rough idle, limp mode (maximum 20 mph), and unannounced stalling—particularly dangerous at highway speeds. Repair estimates run $4,000–$7,000 for replacement.
Secondary engine defects include camshaft solenoid failures (abnormal deceleration, inability to exceed 30 mph) and serpentine belt tensioner failure causing sudden loss of power steering. Owners also report unexplained stalling that dealerships cannot diagnose, ignition coil failures, and fuel delivery issues that resurface after dealership software updates. One owner experienced complete engine shutdown on a busy highway—a serious safety issue.
Mercedes issued a November 2012 service bulletin to dealerships for solenoid issues affecting over 1 million vehicles, but did not notify consumers directly. Warranty denials cite maintenance records. Some owners report dealerships dismissed timing code concerns as "emission-related only" and refused to acknowledge known defects, even as vehicles became unsafe to drive. Multiple owners reference an ongoing class action lawsuit over balance shaft problems.
Same Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Balance shaft sprocket wear and timing chain failure
The balance shaft sprocket in the M272/M273 engines is made of defective soft metal that wears prematurely, causing timing chain misalignment. This triggers check engine lights and can force the vehicle into limp mode (unable to exceed 20 mph), stalling, loss of power, and rough idle.
When: Typically 40,000–132,000 miles; failures reported across the range
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (codes P0016, P0017, C1200, C1208); Engine rough idle or misfiring; Loss of power or sudden stalling on highway; Limp mode activation (max speed ~20 mph); Transmission shifting issues; Inability to start on first attempt (intermittent); Burning smell from engine bay
Codes mentioned: P0016, P0017, C1200, C1208
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs cited: $4,000–$7,000 (replacement of balance shaft sprocket, timing chain guide wheel, or entire engine assembly). One owner replaced engine for under $7,000 at independent shop. Owners report dealerships sometimes refused warranty coverage or claimed insufficient oil-change records.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes issued Service Bulletin (November 2012) to dealerships regarding M272/M273 engines up to certain serial numbers; material was modified on later engines. No direct consumer notification; treated as service campaign, not formal recall. Class action lawsuit settled with limited compensation. Warranty denials cited maintenance records as exclusion.
Camshaft solenoid malfunction
Defective camshaft solenoid (intake and/or exhaust side) causes abnormal vehicle deceleration, loss of performance, and drivability issues. Owners report the November 2012 service campaign affected ~1,064,723 vehicles but dealers were not required to notify consumers directly.
When: 55,000–116,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Abnormal deceleration when driving above 5 mph; Inability to exceed 30 mph (some cases); High RPM running; Engine vibration
Codes mentioned: C1200, C1208
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $232.93 for solenoid repair at independent shop (2015). Another reported dealer quote of $2,300–$3,000 after replacement of all solenoids; issue persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: November 2012 service campaign initiated; dealerships notified but consumers were not directly contacted. Campaign was not classified as a safety recall.
Serpentine belt tensioner failure
Tensioner failure causes serpentine belt to come off the pulleys, leading to sudden loss of power steering and engine power. Results in complete loss of vehicle control on highway.
When: Highway driving (mileage not specified)
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from engine bay; Sudden loss of power steering; Complete loss of engine power (brakes only remain functional); Serpentine belt comes off pulleys
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reported issue was related to underlying balance shaft timing codes (P0016/P0017) that dealership initially dismissed as emission-related only.
Engine stalling and loss of propulsion
Vehicle shuts down or loses propulsion without warning while driving on highway or in traffic. Loss of power steering during shutdown creates serious safety hazard. Engine restarts after several minutes or after power-cycling ignition.
When: Intermittent; reported from early ownership through higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete engine shutdown on highway; Loss of power steering during shutdown; Delayed restart (several minutes); Elevated RPM with reduced propulsion; No check engine light present in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics inconclusive; some owners reported dealership claimed vehicle was 'perfectly fine' despite multiple visits. No repair cost cited.
Check engine light with unresolved fuel delivery issue
Check engine light illuminates within one week of purchase on used vehicle; codes cleared or software updates performed by dealership without resolving underlying fuel delivery problem. Light returns repeatedly.
When: One week after used vehicle purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Uneven fuel supply to engine; Recurring check engine light after dealership repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Initial dealership attempted unknown fix; second dealership performed computer update; neither resolved the issue. Owner requested refund of $13,500 purchase price and was refused. Car deemed unsafe for long-distance driving.
Intake manifold plastic component failure
Plastic component in engine intake manifold that controls air flow and enables fuel flow breaks, causing engine stalling and hesitation. Component controls flow on intake manifold.
When: Low mileage (40,000 miles in reported case)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Engine stalling and hesitation; Car jumping out of gear on highway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostic cost was $105+. One dealer quoted over $6,000 for engine problems and refused to repair the manifold component. Owner took vehicle to another shop.
Radiator fan damage from inadequate underbody protection
Thin plastic skid (protective) plate fails to deflect small animal impact, allowing object to penetrate into radiator fan cavity and cause extensive cooling system damage.
When: Early ownership (January 2007, within 2 weeks of delivery)
Symptoms owners cite: Animal struck vehicle and penetrated into radiator fan unit; Extensive damage to radiator and cooling system
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost approximately $3,000. Owner questioned whether skid plate meets industry standards for protective capability.
Ignition coil malfunction (Coil #4)
Defective ignition coil causes violent engine shaking, check engine light, and rapid temperature gauge increase shortly after purchase.
When: 31 days after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Violent engine shaking; Check engine light; Temperature gauge increase; Engine vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially blamed bad fuel; later identified as Coil #4 failure.
Electronic Control Unit (ECU) malfunction
ECU failure causes cooling fan to remain on continuously and loud noise emission from engine bay. Multiple recurrences despite manufacturer notification.
When: 116,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from engine area; Cooling fan stays on independently; Recurring failures
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as requiring ECU replacement; vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no action reported.
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
On Oct 25, 2022 while returning home from Denver International Airport the check engine light illuminated on the dash of my Mercedes Benz. The car was exhibiting increasing power loss and rough running which increased while driving north on Interstate 25 in heavy morning traffic. I was in doubt that he car would make it home. The car has been diagnosed subsequently the the Mercedes Benz m272…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 34 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 55,214 and 106,478 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,214; a quarter make it past 106,478. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Mercedes-Benz/C-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.