R350 Tailgate Failure
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Sutter Creek, CA
E500 and R350
R350 Tailgate Failure
Hi, new to the site but already appreciate and have benefited from the posts. Saved a ton by reading posts on replacing climate blower fan! Next up on wife's R350 is the tailgate. Has anyone experienced a power tailgate motor failure? That is what I think has happened but want to make sure before ordering parts. When tailgate open/close function is started, you hear the mechanism engage, the lock unlock and then nothing happens but a grinding noise. The tailgate does not open or close, just the grinding noise. Any insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 21
From: Doylestown, OH
2015 Audi S4, 1982 Fiat Spyder, 2010 R350, 2013 E550 Cabriolet
Lots of people here have reported taking it to the dealer where the fix is just an adjustment of the lock mechanism. Not to say that it couldn't be a motor, but that doesn't seem as likely.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Anderson Island, WA
06 R500
Hi. I'm not sure if this is the same thing but last week my tailgate failed to open. It tried to open just slightly, then came back in. I tried it a few more times, then stopped so I didn't burn out the motor. I read a thread that mentioned keeping everything clean and lubed and that did the trick here too. I opened the hatch via inside/ manual lever. Pushed tail gate up a foot then opened it all the way with key fob auto switch. Then I cleaned and lubed everywhere. It now opens/closes perfectly. Thanks for the previous threads on this.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Anderson Island, WA
06 R500
No I didnot disassemble any parts. I cleaned and lubed the rubber side stops on the door and body, the entire seal, the locking mechanism and lubed the hinges as best I could with silicone spray.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: CT USA
R350 X5 4.4 67 alpine
I'm having the same problem. one day it works then next i have to reach in to open it manually. I cant see lubing the lock helping this. is there possibly a solenoid not unlocking the lock?
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 938
Likes: 53
From: Montreal, Canada
2005 C240 2011 R350
there are many posts on this issue. Do your homework.
Basically the dealer will start by charging you for a latch adjustment not under warranty
Then a latch replacement under warranty, then more lift mechanism changes. Dont let them charge you for incomplete fixes. I told my dealer I would pay for the latch adjustment on the condition that if it did not fix the problem that they would reemburse mefully. Dont let them push you around. The real liftgate is a known problem.
Basically the dealer will start by charging you for a latch adjustment not under warranty
Then a latch replacement under warranty, then more lift mechanism changes. Dont let them charge you for incomplete fixes. I told my dealer I would pay for the latch adjustment on the condition that if it did not fix the problem that they would reemburse mefully. Dont let them push you around. The real liftgate is a known problem.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
2002 E320 4matic Wagon
We went through all the fixes and only one thing ever worked for more than a couple of months. Set the liftgate to open all the way. It's a PITA if you have a low garage ceiling, but it seemed to work for us. Can't tell you why.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: CT USA
R350 X5 4.4 67 alpine
OK, I took the tailgate trim panel off. The problem with mine is the lock doesn't unlatch. So I would have to reach in from the back seat and pull the handle to release it. Took 5 mins to pull the panel off. 2 mins to unscrew the 3 torx screws to remove the lock assy. about 15 mins to replace the lock. Cost $300. Be sure to buy the plastic clips that hold the trim panel on too. works great now.
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 25
From: Warrington, PA
08 R350, 12 Mercedes R350
OK, I took the tailgate trim panel off. The problem with mine is the lock doesn't unlatch. So I would have to reach in from the back seat and pull the handle to release it. Took 5 mins to pull the panel off. 2 mins to unscrew the 3 torx screws to remove the lock assy. about 15 mins to replace the lock. Cost $300. Be sure to buy the plastic clips that hold the trim panel on too. works great now.
BTW, what is the part number for the plastic clips? (I plan to take the rear panel off to install the rear B/U camera).
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: CT USA
R350 X5 4.4 67 alpine
I should have written both part numbers down but I didn't I did it during my break at work and threw everything out. Sorry. I just asked the dealer parts guy. Back up camera?? Spill the beans! What's the deal?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
R320 cdi
New lock mechanism fixed mine
Just wanted to add to those who have commented already that a new lock mechanism (bought mine from KO Performance for about $250) fixed our tailgate closing (or rather NOT closing) issues. Like others our tailgate would close but not 'lock'. Also, the new locking mechanism seems to have cured the tailgate not closing all the way when the height limiter was turned off. Before hitting the close button would cause it to close only about 6" and it would then stop. We'd have to hit the button again to get it to close completely.
A really easy fix for those willing to try and I would suggest buying some of the yellow body panel clips in case some break when removing the panel to access the mechanism and emergency release cable.
A really easy fix for those willing to try and I would suggest buying some of the yellow body panel clips in case some break when removing the panel to access the mechanism and emergency release cable.
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 25
From: Warrington, PA
08 R350, 12 Mercedes R350
Note:My back up camera set up to be turn on at at all time even while i am driving forward.
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 25
From: Warrington, PA
08 R350, 12 Mercedes R350
Note:My back up camera set up to be turned on at at all times even while i am driving forward.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
I had something similar and end up with the battery doesn't have enough juice to pull the lift gate down. After I replaced the battery, problem went away.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 285
Likes: 2
From: \
/
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
R-350
I have had this issue,and am having it now. Previously they told us the "computer needed to be reset at a tune of $89.00. Now the door will not open at all. Not with the Key FOB, using the manual opener on the outside of the vehicle or the manual opener on the inside of the vehicle. I believe that would constitute as a huge safety issue, if the rear door was our only option to exit the vehicle.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
2009 R350
Yule, you describe the exact same problem I had on my 2009 R350. I took it to the dealer (not under warranty) and they replaced the tailgate lock/latch assembly part number (164-740-07-35) for a whopping $883.55 with $480 of that being labor. They also used 14 trim clips (part number 000-991-63-98-64).
I do not think I could have done it myself, maybe others have...but here's a link to what the part looks like. Rear Liftgate Lock/Actuator.
I do not think I could have done it myself, maybe others have...but here's a link to what the part looks like. Rear Liftgate Lock/Actuator.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
R350
Lift gate won't raise all the wat
The lift gate in my 2008 R350 opens and closes fine, but when it opens, it only goes 1/2 the way up. Just enough to bump your head on it. Our Toyota has a button that lets you reset the lift gate track. Doubt there is anything that easy on the R350. Any suggestions?
