E450 Wagon Noise from Tailgate
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E450 Wagon Noise from Tailgate
Just bought a new E450 All Terrain. As we drive there is noise from the rear - sounds like the tailgate - that sounds like the rear wiper is actuating but the wiper isn't moving. It's unclear what it is. Happens intermittently but regularly. Thoughts?
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Likely backup camera.
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
I haven't noticed this in my 2025 E450, but I often have music playing loud enough to not hear the camera popping in and out. I'll listen for it, but I would have thought I would have noticed this at some point over the last 12 months.
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Do you think OP's issue is this backup camera or do you think it is some other hinge mechanism or some other mechanism?
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From: Poland
GLE
- Does it happen every time you stop?
- Is it the same sound as the camera opening when you go into reverse?
Those two things would be the first to confirm or rule out.
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MBWorld God!
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Another method is opening it manually, there is a setting to open rear cam (I guess for cleaning).
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W214
I get the same on mine and happens when you brake. I forgot to mention this when I had it at the dealer but the loaner they gave me was the same car and it made the same noises. You described it right. It sounds like a motor similar to the wiper motor
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Yup backup camera. Thing is it pops up to calibrate despite not showing an image on the screen.
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X214
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
I doubt its calibrating. It's more likely that it is using the camera for some of the driver assist functions and needs to pop out in those circumstances. Then, it goes back in when its not needed to avoid getting dirty.
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I would agree and I think you have a good point but it doesn't do this on older model MBs and certain forum members' newer model MBs prior to a certain MBUX update. So not sure what is up with that, we can argue older model MBs don't have as many safety assist systems, sensors etc. but these older model MBs are not even that old. Actually, some are pre-facelift of the same generation or just one or two model year older.
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
I would agree and I think you have a good point but it doesn't do this on older model MBs and certain forum members' newer model MBs prior to a certain MBUX update. So not sure what is up with that, we can argue older model MBs don't have as many safety assist systems, sensors etc. but these older model MBs are not even that old. Actually, some are pre-facelift of the same generation or just one or two model year older.
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There are plenty of differences between the cars, especially older ones that would explain why this happens more on newer cars. It may not even be a difference in features, but rather a difference in how some are implemented. The newer models do a lot more with cameras in combination with radar sensors to detect other objects. It's a combination of software and hardware that dictate how a feature is implemented and the newer cars typically have more advanced hardware. It may not even be a different camera. It could be that other newer sensors can use camera inputs in ways not possible on cars made a few years ago. It's hard to say without an explanation from MB.
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X214
There are plenty of differences between the cars, especially older ones that would explain why this happens more on newer cars. It may not even be a difference in features, but rather a difference in how some are implemented. The newer models do a lot more with cameras in combination with radar sensors to detect other objects. It's a combination of software and hardware that dictate how a feature is implemented and the newer cars typically have more advanced hardware. It may not even be a different camera. It could be that other newer sensors can use camera inputs in ways not possible on cars made a few years ago. It's hard to say without an explanation from MB.
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On the other thread, a forum member that has a 2024 didn't do this, so that is what makes it stranger. As far as what I learned, most 2024 model year vehicles all do this, all the way down to A Class and SUVs like GLA and GLB.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; May 9, 2025 at 07:11 PM.
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X214
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Unless it was a 2024 model that was really early in the production cycle, and somehow had the 2023 camera hardware/software added onto it, I doubt that would be the case. Maybe the forum member is not very tuned into the noise the camera makes, as it continuously deploys and goes back in.
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
Lots of speculation and too many what if's to draw any confident conclusions. Some may not hear the noise even though it pops out. Others may be missing an option or have some feature disabled that results in the missing behavior. I don't see it as an issue and therefore not concerned myself. The car makes other noises that appear normal to the operations of the car. Nothing unusual about the camera popping out while driving.
