jumpman726

I found out about this recall by accident. Mercedes issued it just 10 days ago, March 20th.

I was looking at a used 2018 S560 on a dealer's site and while looking at the free Carfax report it showed that there is an open recall on the 2018 & 2019 S560 models. There is an issue with the material of the two engine oil plugs, which could result in oil leaking out of the engine. You can go to https://www.mbusa.com/en/recall and enter your VIN to see if there are any recalls on your car.


MBUSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER - 2020030017
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER - 20V173
RECALL START DATE - Recall Currently Pending
RECALL REPORTED DATE - Mar 20, 2020
COMPONENT(S) - Closure Plugs on the Engine AA


SUMMARY - Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG") has determined that on certain Model Year ("MY") 2018-2019 S-Class (222 platform) and S-Class Coupe/Convertible (217 platform) vehicles equipped with 4.0L 8-cylinder gasoline-engines (M176), the material of two engine oil plugs might not withstand the high engine loads during driving.

The material of the closure plugs might fail to contain high engine oil pressures, which can occur especially during dynamic driving and could result in engine oil leaking from the plugs. The resulting oil leak on the road could create a potential road hazard increasing the risk of a crash for other road users. If the engine oil level were to fall below a certain limit, the driver would be made aware of this issue by a red warning message in the instrument cluster. if the warning message were to be ignored by the driver, the engine could run without the required oil, damaging the engine and result in a vehicle stall.

As a precautionary measure, Mercedes-Benz AG, via its Mercedes-Benz service partners, will rework the engine oil plugs on the affected vehicles.

HAWKiS63

Thx, will this also apply to the facelift S63 models? Since the E63/S63 have the M177 engine (not the M176) probably not?

jumpman726

The recall notice only mentions the M176 engine, so your S63 should be fine. You can enter your VIN on the Mercedes Recall website to see if anything changes.

2012 merc amg

Wow that sounds like it could be a real disaster. Glad my cars a 2017 lol with this Corona Virus thing I don't feel like dealing with the dealer.

lsdreem

They replaced my entire engine because of this so likely a very serious issue.

Streamliner

When did this take place?

MBS63AMG

I was about to make that comment as a joke and then I see where it really happened to you! Yikes. My car is not a part of the campaign, thankfully. Thanks goes to the original poster for putting that up for quick verification.

Streamliner

Just checked and my 2018 S560 is part of the recall. Does anyone know where these plugs are located? Are they internal or external? If internal, how much of the engine needs to be disassembled? Any idea how long it takes to do the job?

lsdreem

I just got it back the other day, They had it for a month.

Streamliner

I hope they gave you an appropriately luxurious loaner.

2012 merc amg

I just assumed there were two external oil Drain Plugs? Is this correct?

merclux

Anyone else who's already taken their vehicle to the dealership for this recall? It appears that Mercedes is still working on securing more robust oil drain plugs before actual recall letters will be sent out.
My S560 is due for an oil change soon too... I take it that they will just remove the oil drain plugs, save the old oil into a jug, and pour it back into the engine?

Streamliner

Has anyone actually determined that the plugs in question are external "drain" plugs? Some engines have internal "oil gallery" plugs, which require much of the engine to be dismantled, to get to them. Anyone know for sure just WHERE these particular plugs are located?

madkow70

I checked with my advisor and although they announced the recall, they do not have the remedy for my 2018 W222.
I was told to not bring the vehicle in yet and stand by.

D.J.
.

flint350

The letter I received from MB a few weeks ago clearly said there is no part available yet to address the issue and this is merely a notification.

RJC

Does your work order indicate what was done and for what plugs?

Steinhart

thank you for posting this

my vehicle is also included in the recall

2012 merc amg

That’s crazy that Benz issues this but has no guidance especially in these virus worried days. The last thing someone wants is to end up stranded on the side of some road in the middle of nowhere. My car does not apply as it’s a 4.7 2017 but I feel bad for the people who do have the cars on the list. I’m sure though it is probably a very rare occurrence.

RJC

Sounds pretty extreme with a month in the shop and /or engine replacements needed, plus a recall has been issued yet no parts? Perhaps that's why the one dealership got the ok to replace the engine due to no parts? It would also seem to me the these are not drain plugs on the oil pan, as that certainly would not require an engine replacement unless they let most of the oil leak out and the engine ran dry. Need more info as requested from those that actually had the service i.e. the work order.

fun33

One can only assume this recall is going to involve a whole lot more than the simple replacement of 2 external, easily accessible oil plugs. Has anyone actually had this done or does anyone have a dealer who has received these 2 "magic" oil plugs? Hopefully, Isdream's experience of a total engine replacement was not the fix that is in store for all of us.

RJC

We need more info from him/his service order

merclux

Does anyone have an update on this recall? I contacted corporate about the recall status, and they referred me to my local dealership.
My service advisor last week mentioned he does not have information on it either, so I'm left in the dark.
Anyone else have better luck with more information?

madkow70

same here.
I was at my local dealer in Northern Va for my B1 service. I mentioned about the recall and they said that they still do not have a solution yet.

merclux

Just wanted to let everyone know of an update: Received a notice in the mail 8/14/2020 stating that a remedy is now in place.
Remedy: Service Center will "reinforce the engine oil plugs by adding a retaining plate on the affected vehicle"

flint350

I also got the letter and noticed they claim it's about an hour or so of work. I've got a 15 hour trip coming up soon and would like to get this done before - but, I'm also a bit concerned about the method used here and any potential for oil leak problems on a long journey.