WHILE DRIVING CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOME SORT OF BALANCE SHAFT/CAM GEAR PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WAS A TERRIBLE DESIGN FLAW THAT AFFECTED MANY, MANY CARS. THEY SAID DRIVING IT WAS RISKY. *TR
2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class engine problems
moderate 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SOON THE CAR BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. I THEN BEGAN SPUTTERING WHILE DRIVING. MERCEDES DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST CLOSE TO $6,000. I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT, ALMOST AS IF IT IS TO BE EXPECTED. I ALSO SEE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED IN 2…
Error codes P0016 and P0017 camshaft out of alignment and vehicle will not pass smog test, also loss of power of the engine.
I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS AT LEAST EVERY 3-5 MONTHS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, WHICH WAS IN 2010. NEARLY ALL OF THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY, IT ONLY HAS LESS THAN 75, 000M. IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE CAR STARTED STALLING JERKING AND SHOUT OFF. THE ENGINE LIGHT, ESP LIGHT AND THE BREAK LIGHT CAME ON. IT IMMEDIATELY RESTA…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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