Cam sensor seals failed which leaked oil into the wire harness, O2 sensors, and ECM. This happens to be a common problem with M278 engine. The repair was $10,217 to fix this issue. The car would not pass emissions without this repair. Could oil into the electrical system pose a fire hazzard?
2013 mercedes-benz SL-Class engine problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
MY VEHICLE HAS A CAM SEAL LEAK THAT LEAKED OIL INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND WIRING HARNESS AND OTHER COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED -- THE BILL IS $10,800 --- THIS CAM SEAL WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR THE C CLASS AND FROM WHAT I READ SEEMS TO BE THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE --- NOT AN ORDINARY WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE - THIS IS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND MERCEDES SHOULD FIX -- THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME IN …
I was driving on a country road when all of a sudden my car lost power all the warning lights camo on the dashboard. Smoke started billowing out from the back and front of the car. It turned off and I only coasted about a 100 feet. I could not safely pull off to the side of the road as the car had no power. Thankfully the road was not very busy and the tow truck collected the vehicle. Upon further…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 mercedes-benz SL-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 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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