Mercedes-Benz E 220d W212 — Reliability

W212 Sedan Executive 2009–2016 2 engines

Reliability Summary

Best engine OM651 (late) — 72/100 ACCEPTABLE
Worst engine OM651 (early) — 38/100 AVOID
Average reliability 55/100

Engine Comparison

Engine Reliability Score Verdict Known Issues
OM651 (late)
2.1L Diesel I4 		72/100 ACCEPTABLE DPF blockage — city driving concern +1
OM651 (early)
2.1L Diesel I4 		38/100 AVOID Piezoelectric injector failure (pre-2014) +2

Engines in this model

ACCEPTABLE 72

OM651 (late)

2.1L Diesel I4

Post-2014: updated injectors + pump. Much improved. Highway excellent.

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AVOID 38

OM651 (early)

2.1L Diesel I4

Pre-2014: injectors, timing chain, DPF. Hard to work on.

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Known Issues Across All Engines

Issue Engine Severity Onset
DPF blockage — city driving concern OM651 (late) high 60,000 km – 120,000 km
EGR valve fouling (post-2014) OM651 (late) moderate 80,000 km – 150,000 km
Piezoelectric injector failure (pre-2014) OM651 (early) critical 60,000 km – 130,000 km
Timing chain stretch (pre-2014) OM651 (early) critical 80,000 km – 150,000 km
DPF + EGR fouling (city use) OM651 (early) high 60,000 km – 120,000 km

FAQ

Is the Mercedes-Benz E 220d reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz E 220d has 2 engine options with reliability scores ranging from 38/100 (AVOID) to 72/100 (ACCEPTABLE). Average reliability: 55/100.

Which Mercedes-Benz E 220d engine is most reliable?

The OM651 (late) is the most reliable engine in the Mercedes-Benz E 220d, scoring 72/100 (ACCEPTABLE).

What problems does the Mercedes-Benz E 220d have?

Across all engine variants, the Mercedes-Benz E 220d has 5 known issues. The most common are related to DPF blockage — city driving concern, EGR valve fouling (post-2014), Piezoelectric injector failure (pre-2014).