Vehicle began shaking on the highway. It was coming from under the front hood and was shaking the steering wheel. The check engine light came on. I pulled over and had it towed to the Mercedes repair shop. They said it was related to a bad balance shaft and that it was a systemic problem with the engine in certain Mercedes e350s. I was told I needed to replace the camshaft and it would cost…
2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine problems
moderate 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 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.
Among the 18 model years of Mercedes-Benz E-Class in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2007 E-Class engines show a pattern of balance shaft, camshaft, and fuel system failures well documented by multiple owners. Expect check engine lights tied to camshaft hardware (repairs $5,500–$6,500), fuel tank cracks ($2,100), and in rare cases catastrophic failures like turbo disintegration; warranty coverage disputes are common.
Owners consistently report multiple distinct engine failures in 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models. The most frequent complaint centers on balance shaft and camshaft hardware. Owners cite check engine lights pointing to balance shaft gear wear, camshaft sensor faults (P0025, P0016, P0017 codes), and cam magnet failures—repairs quoted between $5,500 and $6,500. Some owners describe engine stalling at highway speeds with loss of power assist steering, creating dangerous situations.
A second pattern involves fuel tank leaks traced to cracks in the upper tank and faulty fuel sending units. Owners report strong gasoline odors in cabins and garages after fill-ups, with repair costs around $2,100. One owner's tank cracked at low mileage; others describe the odor as persistent months into ownership.
Less frequent but serious: one engine stalled completely on the freeway with P0025 code; another turbo reportedly came apart internally, requiring a $13,000 engine rebuild. Owners also report check engine lights tied to crankshaft sensors, intake manifold gaskets, and carbon buildup. A service adviser confirmed cam magnet replacement as "very common" for 2007 E-Class vehicles and that tanks are "prone to crack."
Warranty coverage has been a flashpoint—dealers initially denied coverage for fuel system and balance shaft repairs despite owners citing extended coverage documentation from NHTSA.
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Balance shaft gear and camshaft hardware failure
Balance shaft gears and camshaft balancing rods fail prematurely, triggering check engine lights. Multiple owners report this as a known defect affecting M272 engines across thousands of vehicles. Failures cause engine shaking, loss of power, and stalling on highways.
When: Typically after manufacturer warranty expires; reported at 81,000 miles and higher
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine shaking and vibration under the hood affecting steering wheel; Loss of engine power at highway speeds (55-65 mph); Engine stalling or shutting off while driving; Loud rattling noise from engine compartment
Codes mentioned: P0025 (camshaft retard bank 2), P0016 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation), P0017 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation)
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft balancing rod replacement quoted at $6,000–$6,500; balance shaft gear replacement $5,500 minimum; cam magnet replacement $600 for all four; service advisers noted redesigned cam magnets available to fix the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes declined warranty coverage in most cases despite extended warranty claims; one class action suit filed in 2011 did not rule in consumer's favor; Mercedes agreed to cover only certain 2007 E350s in 2015 but no recall issued
Fuel tank cracks and fuel sending unit leaks
Cracks develop in the upper portion of the fuel tank or fuel sending unit/lines leak, releasing strong fuel odors into the cabin and surrounding areas. Service advisers confirmed this is a systemic issue with 2007 E-Class vehicles; tanks are prone to cracking.
When: Reported as early as 2–3 years of ownership; some failures at lower mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline odor in cabin after fill-up, dispersing after 30 miles; Fuel smell detectable in garage and entering the home; Persistent gasoline smell at all times; Smell intensifies in enclosed spaces
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel tank replacement cost $2,100; leak attributed to sending unit and fuel lines rather than physical damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers initially denied warranty coverage; after owner intervention and warranty review, repairs were covered; one owner noted concern that replacement OEM part is unchanged and failure may recur
Camshaft sensor and magnet failures
Camshaft sensors and cam magnets fail, triggering check engine lights. Service advisers identified cam magnet failure as very common for 2007 and prior E-Class models.
When: Reported at various mileages including early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine stalling
Codes mentioned: Camshaft sensor codes (diagnostic details limited in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Single cam magnet replacement plus replacement of all four magnets quoted over $600 for service; redesigned cam magnets confirmed as available fix
Engine stalling and loss of power on highways
Engine shuts off completely while driving at highway speeds (55–75 mph) with no warning lights preceding the event. Steering wheel locks up and vehicle loses all power assist. Engine restarts after several minutes to 10 minutes.
When: Occurred at low mileage (3,800–4,090 miles) and at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown while driving at highway speeds; Check engine light came on after stalling event; Steering wheel lock-up during stall; Turn signal inoperative during stall; Engine restarts after 10 minutes
Codes mentioned: P0025
Turbo internal failure and engine damage
Turbo assembly came apart internally and pieces flew into the engine during normal driving, requiring full engine rebuild.
When: Mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stopped suddenly in middle of traffic with no warning
Repairs/costs cited: Engine rebuild cost $13,000
Power loss during acceleration
Engine lacks power during acceleration; RPMs rise but vehicle provides little to no acceleration. Dealer confirmed this is a known issue.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Insufficient engine power during acceleration; Slow RPM rise with minimal vehicle acceleration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged as a known issue
Intake manifold gasket leaks and carbon buildup
Engine produces failure codes related to intake manifold gasket degradation and excessive carbon buildup in the combustion chamber.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Intake manifold, gaskets, lower injectors, O-rings replaced; engine assembly cleaned for carbon buildup
Crankshaft sensor failure
Crankshaft position sensor fails, triggering check engine light.
When: Reported at 81,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-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 E-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 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 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 63,000 and 126,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,000; a quarter make it past 126,000. 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/E-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.