The Mercedes-Benz E Class W212 is recent incarnation of a classic Benz model that dates back to the early 1950s. Unveiled at the world famous Geneva Motor Show, the W212 featured some of the newest luxury items in the Mercedes trick bag, including Lane Keeping Assist, Night View Assist Plus, and a blind spot monitor. Like all cars, the W212, whose production began in 2010, has its share of kinks. Some of the most common include:
Steering Wheel Vibrations: Usually only occurring at low speeds and when the wheel is sharply turned to the left or the right, these vibrations might just be a result of the 4MATIC system, but they could also be an indication of a problem existing in the hydraulic system.
In-Cabin Rattles: Excessive rattling sounds inside of the cabin are irritating and can usually be attributed to loose parts or excessive rubbing between surfaces.
Erratic Window Switch Problems: The W212 has a safety feature on the windows that causes them to roll down if they encounter resistance while being raised. Sometimes this feature malfunctions and the windows drop when there is no resistance.
Transmission Slipping: When the car is allowed to sit for long periods of time, the shifting during the first few miles of driving is often jerky, but then everything goes back to normal.
Starting Noise-Rattling Sound in Engine: Owners usually say that it happens intermittently, but the sound is a rattling/clicking that occurs when the engine is first firing up.
Some of these issues might just be the way that the car is and don’t indicate a serious problem of any sort, but they could also point to a serious issue that needs to be attended to immediately. The best way to handle this is by swinging by a local Mercedes-Benz maintenance expert who can look things over and tell you whether or not you need to worry, and, if you do, how to solve the problem.
Search for a local, independent Mercedes-Benz repair shop with Mercedes-Benz mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.