MBUSA W221 Bulletins to date
 

P-B-27.60/69 FEB06 Uncomfortable shifting quality 722.9 transmission; 3-2 or 4-3 downshift while decelerating may be the result of incorrect SCN coding; VIN ranges 221.171: A000355 – A016837.

Service Campaign 2006050003 MAY06 Engine Control Unit (ECU); update software if necessary; VIN range: A000364 – A016829

P-B-88.70/48 JUN06 Moisture in turn signal lamp(s) in rearview mirrors; inspect for external damage to the housing however, this condition is normal in that surfaces fog up whenever they are cold and come in contact with warmer, humid air (i.e.: bathroom mirror which fogs up after showering). Any fogging will typically clear disappear after 1 or 2 hours depending on temperature and humidity.

P-I-82.70/481B AUG06 Cellular telephone installation

Service Campaign 2006080001 AUG06 Install software for navigation system; affected vehicles may have incorrect COMAND navigation database installed. This could lead to faulty destination entries, as well as incorrect navigation directions and the display of incorrect street symbols on the map. VIN range 221.171: A069637 – A073251 / 221.176: A069648 – A072093 / 221/179: A069722 – A071159.

P-B-27.60/74a AUG06 Noises from the transmission while making “Direct Select” gear selections; this is a normal operating sound inherent to the design of the Intelligent Selector Module (ISM).

P-B-54.10/176 AUG06 Notes on power consumption and charging of battery (221.171 & 176); disabled convenience functions or partially discharged batteries after a workshop visit or after work with the ignition switched on and the engine off – when the ignition and telematics systems are on the power requirement can be up to 30 A. It is absolutely essential to connect a battery charger during workshop visits.

interesting, where do you get this data from ?

Service Campaign 2006090001 SEPT06 Coating formation on gear selector actuator motor (ISM motor): Transmission may shift sluggishly. To correct this condition, the dealer will remove the coating formation. VIN range: A000364 – A049450 (66,868 vehicles affected).

Not bad Dan, considering what the W220 went through the first year...

Not at all, minor issues with the exception of the transmission shifting relative to early production given the VIN range. I like what I’m hearing (owners & techs alike), and like that it can be statistically backed up!

I never buy the first year production!!!!! Might lease though...

Actually the S is now in it's second year of production. Released in EU in September '05 and here in February '06...so 12 months of production with only those minor item mentioned is hardly something to be concerned about.

So feel free to buy or lease and don't worry about it...enjoy the pleasures of your new S now...:-))))

Service Campaign 2006090002 SEPT06 (approximately 4,662 vehicles affected) – Install Seat Control Unit Software. Seat control unit may loose its memory. Dealer will install updated software. VIN range:
221.171 A000364 – A038952; 221.176 A021754 – A038915

Service Campaign 2006090003 SEPT 06 (approximately 306 vehicles affected) – Replace Roof Rack Mounts, the bolts fastening the roof rack mounts may not have been hardened to specification. Dealer will replace the four roof rack mounts. VIN range: 221.171 A070716 – A073251; 221.176 A070811 – A072093; 221.179 A070790 – A071159

P-B-91.40/115 SEPT06 – Functioning When Fastening Seat Belt. If the rear seat belt comfort fit and/or head restraint raising mechanism is not functioning when fastening the seat belt, the wiring from the buckle may be damaged. Note: Problem has been corrected in production from DEC05.

P-B-82.85/529 SEPT06 – COMAND shuts down, only the Climate Control is available. This condition may be caused by insufficient voltage supply to the COMAND head unit. The shut down process is normal for the COMAND to protect itself. Battery diagnostics will be performed.

P-B-46.10/51 SEPT06 – In or out adjustment of electrical steering column nonfunctional. The normalization in the driver signal acquisition module (SAM) will be reset and actuator motor will be replaced if necessary.

P-B-82.85/512a SEPT06 – Telematics System software update.

SYSTEM CONDITIONS:
- Sporadic resets of the COMAND head unit, system will power off then on
- During start up the system is not readily available and Central Controller cannot be operated
- When attempting to change the multi-contour seat preferences the Central Controller does not respond or the system cannot be accessed; and/or when the user has multiple entries in the Address and/or Telephone Books the system may incorrectly display only one entry.

AUDIO CONDITIONS:
- No sound during start up and Instrument Cluster displays “Audio off” until the user cycles the ignition
- Head unit does not display the last used Entertainment Mode (DVD Audio, FM, and AM) used prior to ignition off or system off for over 6 hours
- MP3 Audio CD/DVD tracks skip and/or interrupt especially at the beginning stages of the track
- Intermittent Audio CD/DVD not recognized by the player

NAVIGATION CONDITIONS:
- Blue route missing after the user scrolls over the map during active route guidance
- Intermittently the Head Unit does not display the map
- Inaccurate navigation visual or voice recommendations during active route guidance
- Incorrect navigation position that lasts for more than 5 minutes

P-B-72.30/74 OCT06 – Door(s) makes a squeaking noise when the closing assist pulls door shut. This may be due to insufficient grease for the materials used in the closing assist system.

P-B-32.50/42 OCT06 – Vehicle level lowers on a single axle 221.171/176/179 with Active Body Control (ABS). If the vehicle’s level lowers on a single axle on a single side after being idle from one day to one week. ABC hydraulic fluid will be replaced and a modified filter (part # A003 184 61 01) installed. It should be noted that vehicle lowering is generally not the result of a malfunction of a suspension strut. The suspension strut can only be responsible for vehicle lowering if it has an external leak. This can be recognized by an oil fouled boot.

P-B-47.30/42 OCT06 – Pulsation noises from purge line (221.171 without ABC suspension). It may be due to the pulsating flow from the activated charcoal filter to the engine that causes the purge line to vibrate. These vibrations are initiated through mounting points or contact of the line on the body and may be heard as pulsation noises (ticking noises) inside the passenger compartment. A fluid reservoir between the purge valve and the line to the activated charcoal filter will be installed (part # A221 470 04 16).

Thx!

P-B-91.12/119 OCT06 – Electric Rear Seat Adjustment (ESA-R) Code 223 Intermittently Not Working, Model 221.171/176/179 up to VIN A037913. This may be due to software programming in the ESA-R control unit. The ESA-R can either be flashed with SDS version 02/2006 and flashware # 221 442 13 11 or simply replaced with part # A221 870 20 86 which already has the updated software.

DTB - P-B-42.10/68a APR06 - Brake Squeal

Revised brake pads will be installed along with brake paste applied to backing plates and corresponding mating surfaces within the brake caliper.

If repair is done in conjunction with other brake service, the parts can be claimed to warranty: Brake pads front, part # A004 420 80 20 (entered production as of 12/9/05), Brake pads rear, part # A000 423 02 30.

P-B-91.30/121 NOV06 Active seat cushion ventilation fans in rear seats making rattling / grinding noise. This may be due to the fan impeller contacting the seat cushion base.

Campaign 2006110005 NOV06, Install software for Navigation System – Dealers will update the navigation disc in the affected vehicles as required. Approximately 12,559 vehicles are affected. VIN range:

221.171 A002624 – A100038
221.176 A022878 – A099920
221.179 A067424 – A099727
221.186 A083850 – A100125
Navigation DVD part # A 221 827 30 59 (v3.0)

Note: Every vehicle in the VIN range may not be included in the campaign, call your dealer to check VMI.

P-B-68.50/64 Electric Sunshades for Rear Window stops or hesitates during operation - 221.171/176/179/186 up to VIN 070693. This may be caused by a software error in the rear Signal Actuation Module (SAM). The control unit will be flashed with the latest software STAR Diagnosis (SDS) version 10/06.

P-B-54-30/164a Dim Multifunction Display (MFD) in Instrument Cluster (IC) during cold temperatures. If the MFD is difficult to read for 10-20 minutes after the engine is started during cold temperatures this may be due to a hardware fault in the IC. SDS procedure will resolve. Note: There may be a difference in brightness between the MFD and outer gauges (fuel/ coolant) for up to 3 minutes after the engine is started in cold conditions. This is due to the characteristics of LCD technology. This is normal.

P-B-46.20/52 Muffled knocking noises when driving slowly on uneven road surfaces. When driving between 3 – 13 mph these noises may be caused by excessively high breakaway torque of the outer tie rod or the inner tie rod joints due to unfavorable tolerance or friction conditions. In isolated cases, a reduction in the preload of the mounting bolts of the steering gear can also occur as the cause. The mounting bolts of the steering gear, outer tie rods, and/or inner tie rods will be replaced and front axle toe will be adjusted.

P-B-68.10/65 Noises at the Instrument Cluster, where cracking/creaking is heard from the IC (top, bottom, and sides) tricot tape will be installed to rectify.

Service Campaign 2006120006 DEC06 – Replace ABC high-pressure line; inspect coolant hose and replace if necessary.
221.176 VIN range: A022143 to A030502, approximately 33 vehicles affected *

On affected vehicles the geometry of the ABC high pressure line may not meet specifications. This can cause the ABC high pressure line to be in contact with the engine coolant hose. The dealer will replace the ABC high pressure line with a modified version and also check and replace the engine coolant hose if necessary.

* Notes:
(1) Service Campaigns are done on a voluntary basis by MBUSA, but are also monitored by the Government. Repairs are performed by dealer when vehicle is in for service work.
(2)Every vehicle in the VIN range may not be included in the campaign. Have your dealer to check VMI to confirm.

P-B-28.00/07 JAN07 4-Matic. Possible conditions include shuddering/vibrations, howling transfer case and/or leaks at the front axle differential or transfer case. Depending on diagnosis one or more of the following components will be replaced: 722.961 Transmission part # A221 270 80 01,
Front differential #A221 330 04 02, Propeller shaft, transfer case to front axle # A221 410 17 01, Front left axle shaft # A221 330 08 01, Front right axle shaft # A221 330 09 01


P-B-27.19/91 JAN07 Automatic transmission program selector switch “M” program is not available. This is related to the wrong central operating unit being installed. The switch block central operating unit (part # A221 870 05 51) will be replaced.

No so much a bulletin, more so an announcement. Interesting 221 statistics released by JD Power & Assoc. for JAN07:

MBUSA dealers delivered 2,078 S-Classes in January 07
Average price: $97,916
Most popular color: Black
Average 39 month lease payment: $1,736
Buyers age range: 36-55 @ 50.6%; 56 plus @ 40.8%; 16-35 @ 8.5%
Ratio: Male @ 71%; Female @ 29%

Top 10 hottest models (stayed in stock):

12 days - Honda CR-V
13 - Honda Fit
13 - Lexus LS
16 - Lexus ES
17 - BMW 5 Series
18 - Volvo C70
18 - MB S-Class
19 - BMW X5
19 - Nissan Versa
19 - Toyota FJ Cruiser

there already alot of malfunctions for the new s.. i currently have a 2000 s class and im really happy with it i have it for like 6yrs im still deciding on the transition to the w221. do u guys think its worth it now? or should i wait a yr or 2. i know its not good to buy the first yr of any new model? any suggestions?

My S will be a year old April 4th and I have not had one need to visit the dealer...I have 10,200 miles on it.

If you are happy with the 2000 S then there is no need to move into to one until you feel like it. Do it now or do it in two years...makes no difference. Prices may be a little higher but there may be a few new goodies included. Your call...:-)

My S600 will be 6 month old and no problem at all happend (Production Sept 2006 = Model 2007). Only one item have shown up on the display after parking 2 weeks at the airport in cold weather in Janaury: 'ABC Error' after starting the car. I drove the car some 50 miles with the error condition displayed, stopped then and restarted the engine and the error didn't show up any more. Definitly the suspension was effected by this error and I could feel the difference clearly.

Some 220 model customer have warned me about an empty battery after 2 weeks parking in cold weather (freezing). Nothing happened. One push and my S 600 fired up as always!

I do not have a 221 …yet. However, I can tell in talking with a good number of owners, several techs, some shop foremen, and my local MBUSA manager quite frankly there are no problems to speak of. I post these bulletins to circumvent any confusion on the part of the owner when reporting an associated problem to the SA if one should present itself. Note, when a bulletin or service campaign is released it does not necessarily apply to every vehicle. As previously mentioned by Jack, most listed here are very minor and affect early production vehicles - sporadically. When you’re ready go for the 221 – you will not be disappointed.

P-B-54.65/130a FEB07 Parktronic triggers without obvious cause at the front bumper. This may be caused by the side edges of the license plate being detected as an obstruction by the PTS sensor. The system may trigger at the front at random. Due to varying license plate widths, the actual width of the license plate bracket will nee to be coded f no faults are present or stored in the Parktronic control unit.

nightvision
 

Have there been anytech issues with night vision, tonight when i went to put it on a message came up stating night vision assist unavailale, this has happened a couple of times and yes i shut off the car and restarted it.....thank you

Check PM

What a wonderful thread and what a service KOnigstiger is providing. How do you get all this info?

To my real question: - I have a Dec 2005 S320cdi 220 series. Have done 26,000 miles with no problems at all and love the car. From time to time get a hankering for the 221 series -usually after seeing some of Nevada Jacks photos. But wondered how has the 221 series been reported by J.D Power and by CR? I gather the 220 series was not kindly reported (though mine has been faultless). Have there been any independent surveys yet of the 221 series as regards reliability?