P0013 on 2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Exhaust Camshaft Actuator Fixes

What's Unique About the 2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The M272 V6 engine, used in the E-Class through the 2011 model year, is well-known for issues with its camshaft adjuster magnets (solenoids). These components frequently fail electrically or begin to leak oil directly into the engine wiring harness, a chronic issue on many Mercedes engines of this era. This oil wicking can cause a variety of timing-related fault codes. While the code points to a circuit fault, the root cause is overwhelmingly the magnet itself rather than the wiring or the engine computer. This is a common and well-documented issue across many Mercedes-Benz models that use this engine.

Generation note: The 2010-2016 E-Class range covers the W212 generation. However, the M272 V6 engine was only used in the E350 model up to the 2011 model year. From 2012 onwards, the E350 used the newer M276 engine, which also suffers from similar camshaft magnet issues. This guide specifically addresses the M272 engine found in the 2010-2011 models.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) is on
• Rough engine idle
• Poor acceleration and reduced engine performance
• Decreased fuel economy
• Engine may hesitate or stall
• Rattling noise from the engine on startup

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Exhaust Camshaft Adjuster Magnet (Solenoid) 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Camshaft The camshaft adjuster magnets are a very common failure point on the M272 engine. They can fail internally, causing an open or short circuit, which directly triggers the P0013 code. This is a widely reported issue across multiple Mercedes models sharing this engine.
   How to confirm: Swap the suspected faulty magnet (passenger side, exhaust) with an identical one from another position (e.g., the intake magnet on the same bank). Clear the codes and run the engine. If the code changes to P0010 🎬 Watch: How to diagnose and fix these circuit codes ('A' Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit), the magnet is confirmed to be faulty. This is a common DIY diagnostic step mentioned in owner forums.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty camshaft adjuster magnet. All four magnets are often replaced at the same time as a preventative measure, as they tend to fail 🎬 See this step-by-step sensor and magnet replacement guide around the same time.
   Est. part cost: $30-$60 per magnet
2. Oil Contamination in Wiring Connector 🟡 Medium Probability The seals on the camshaft magnets and camshaft position sensors are known to fail, allowing engine oil to seep into the electrical connector and travel down the wiring harness via capillary action. This oil can disrupt the electrical signals and cause the circuit fault. Mercedes-Benz has issued service bulletins regarding this exact problem.
   How to confirm: Unplug the electrical connector from the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft magnet and the nearby camshaft position sensor. Visually inspect the inside of the connector and the harness pins for any sign of engine oil.
   Typical fix: Replace the leaking magnet or sensor. Clean the oil out of the connector and harness using an electrical contact cleaner. If the oil has wicked far down the harness, a 'pigtail' harness extension (also called an adapter harness or isolation wire) must be installed to prevent oil from reaching the ECM. The pigtail acts as a sacrificial component.
   Est. part cost: $15-$30 for a pigtail harness, if needed
3. Low or Dirty Engine Oil ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: The Variable Valve Timing system is hydraulic and relies on clean oil at the correct pressure. Check the engine oil level on the dipstick and review vehicle service records to ensure the correct specification oil (e.g., MB 229.5) and filter are being used and that changes are performed on schedule.
   Typical fix: Perform an oil and filter change using manufacturer-approved products.
   Est. part cost: $80-$150

Rare But Worth Checking

• Damaged Wiring Harness: While less common than a failed magnet, the wiring leading to the solenoid can become brittle from heat and age, causing an open or short circuit. This should be suspected if a new magnet does not resolve the code.
• Faulty Camshaft Adjuster (Phaser): → Shop Engine Camshaft This is the mechanical gear on the end of the camshaft, not the electronic solenoid. A mechanical failure is rare but possible, and is a much more involved and expensive repair. This is usually accompanied by rattling noises from the front of the engine.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): It is very rare for the PCM itself to fail. This should only be considered after all other possibilities, including the wiring, have been exhaustively tested.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Check the engine oil level and condition. Ensure it is full and clean.
2. Using an OBD-II scanner, confirm P0013 is the active code and check for any other related codes.
3. Locate the exhaust camshaft adjuster magnet on Bank 1 (passenger side of the engine, it's typically the lower of the two magnets on the front of the cylinder head). The magnets are held in by three E8 external Torx bolts.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the magnet. Inspect the connector and the magnet's pins for any signs of engine oil.
5. If no oil is present, swap the exhaust magnet with the intake magnet (the upper one) on the same cylinder head. They are identical parts.
6. Clear the fault codes with the scanner, start the engine, and let it run for a minute.
7. Re-scan for codes. If the code has changed to P0010, the magnet you moved is faulty and needs to be replaced.
8. If the P0013 code returns, the problem is likely in the wiring or the PCM. Test the wiring harness for continuity and shorts between the ECM and the magnet connector.
9. If oil was found in the connector, replace the leaking magnet and thoroughly clean the connector with electrical contact cleaner. It is highly recommended to install a pigtail adapter harness (Part No. A2711500156) to prevent future oil contamination of the main harness.
🎬 Watch: Official fix for Mercedes solenoid oil leaks

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Camshaft Adjuster Magnet (Solenoid) (OEM #A2720510177) — This is the most common failure point for the P0013 code on the M272 engine due to internal electrical failure or leaking seals.
  Trusted brands: Mercedes-Benz (OEM), Bosch, Pierburg
  OEM price range: $45-$65
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$50
• Wiring Harness Pigtail Connector (OEM #A2711500156) — If oil from a leaking magnet has contaminated the engine wiring harness, this pigtail is installed to prevent the oil from wicking further and reaching the main engine computer. This is a preventative measure recommended by Mercedes-Benz service bulletins.
  Trusted brands: Mercedes-Benz (OEM)
  OEM price range: $20-$40

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0010 — 'A' Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1). This refers to the intake magnet on the same bank. It's common for these magnets to fail around the same time.
• P0023 — 'B' Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2). This is the same exhaust magnet but on the driver's side. It indicates another magnet is also failing.
• P0014/P0015 — These are timing performance codes ('Over-Advanced' or 'Over-Retarded') for the same camshaft. An electrical fault in the magnet (P0013) can prevent it from controlling the camshaft properly, leading to a performance code.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• S-B-03.30/08i: This service bulletin from 2009 addresses oil leaking at the camshaft adjustment solenoids for M272 and M273 engines. It recommends replacing the solenoid if it leaks from the electrical connector and installing improved camshaft adjustment solenoids (part number A272 051 01 77).
• A related TSB (LI05.10-P-052093) also discusses the problem of oil in the engine wiring harness due to leaking camshaft adjuster solenoids and recommends installing adapter plugs (pigtails) as a remedy.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A user on MBWorld.org with a 2011 C300 (same M272 engine) reported a persistent P0013 code. After swapping sensors with no change and checking wiring, the issue remained. This highlights that while the magnet is the most common cause, wiring issues can still occur, especially after front-end damage.
• Another MBWorld.org user asked for help with P0013 after swapping sensors didn't fix the issue, demonstrating a common misdiagnosis step (swapping sensors instead of the actuator magnets).

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Adjuster Magnet (Solenoid) Resistance — expected: 8-15 Ohms. Failure: A reading of infinity (open circuit) or near zero (short circuit) indicates a failed solenoid.
• Voltage at Magnet Connector (Key On, Engine Off) — expected: One pin should have battery voltage (~12V).. Failure: No voltage suggests a wiring or fuse issue upstream from the connector.
• Camshaft Adjuster Magnet Actuation Current (via advanced scan tool) — expected: ~500-600 mA at ~40% duty cycle when warm.. Failure: Inability to draw current, or drawing excessive current, points to an internal failure of the solenoid.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• XENTRY / DAS (Mercedes Dealer Tool): Camshaft Position Actuation Test — This function allows a technician to directly command the camshaft adjuster magnets to advance or retard timing while observing the live data from the camshaft position sensors. This definitively tests the solenoid's operation, the oil passages, and the mechanical phaser, isolating the fault.
• XENTRY / DAS (Mercedes Dealer Tool): View Camshaft Position Commanded vs. Actual — This live data parameter is crucial for diagnosis. By comparing the ECM's target camshaft angle with the actual angle reported by the sensor, a technician can see if the adjuster is stuck, slow to respond, or not responding at all, which can help differentiate between a circuit fault (P0013) and a performance fault (P0014/P0015).

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Y49/7 (Right Exhaust Camshaft Solenoid) — Front of the passenger side (Bank 1) cylinder head, the lower of the two solenoids.. This is the component directly referenced by the P0013 code. The wiring harness connector at this location is the primary point for voltage, resistance, and oil contamination checks.
• W11 (ECU/ECM Ground) — Located in the engine bay, often near the ECU box or on the firewall. It is a ground point for the engine wiring assembly.. A poor ECU ground can cause erratic behavior and false circuit codes for any sensor or actuator it controls, including the camshaft magnets. Verifying this ground is clean and tight is a crucial step if direct testing of the magnet and its wiring shows no faults.
• W16/5 (Left Major Assembly Compartments Electronics Ground Point) — A critical but difficult-to-locate ground point for the Engine Control Module (ECM).. As a main ground for the ECM, corrosion or looseness here can cause a wide range of difficult-to-diagnose electrical issues, including intermittent actuator circuit faults like P0013.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• YOUCANIC video on YouTube (2015 Mercedes GL450 (with M276 engine, but demonstrates the same diagnostic principle for P0013)) — Check Engine Light with P0013 and P0010 codes stored.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The video walks through replacing the Bank 1 intake and exhaust camshaft magnets as the primary fix. However, it importantly notes that if the code returns after replacement, the next step is to investigate a stretched timing chain or a pinched/damaged wiring harness.

OEM Part Supersession History

• A2720510077 → A2720510177 — The original magnets were prone to internal oil leaks through the electrical connector. The updated part number features improved seals to mitigate this common failure.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2010-2011: These model years use the M272 V6 engine, which is the focus of this guide. The camshaft adjuster magnet is part number A2720510177.
• 2012-2016: These model years use the newer M276 V6 engine. While it suffers from very similar camshaft magnet and sensor failures, the part numbers are different. The magnet for the M276 was updated from A2761560490 to A2761560790. The diagnostic principles are nearly identical.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Other Known Issues on This Vehicle

Issues unrelated to this code that are worth knowing about as an owner of this generation:

• Balance Shaft Gear Wear 🔴 High — Common on M272 engines manufactured between 2004 and 2008. The issue stems from a prematurely worn balance shaft sprocket. While the 2010-2011 E-Class should be outside the primary failure window, vehicles with early-production replacement engines or those with poor service history could still be at risk. (Ref: Multiple TSBs exist, but no recall was issued. A class-action lawsuit was filed regarding this issue.)
• Intake Manifold Tumbler Flap Failure 🟠 Medium → Shop Engine Intake Manifold — Very common across all years of the M272 engine. The plastic lever and arms that control the variable-length intake runners break, causing performance issues and fault codes like P2004, P2005, or P2006.
• Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure 🟡 Low — A common failure item that can cause no-start or stalling conditions, often with little warning. It's a relatively inexpensive and easy part to replace.
• Front Thrust Link Bushings Wear 🟡 Low — The rubber bushings on the front suspension thrust links (control arms) can wear out, causing clunking noises over bumps and premature inner tire wear.

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: For this specific repair, buying used camshaft adjuster magnets is not recommended. The part is a known high-failure item with a specific design flaw (leaking seals) that was corrected in later revisions. A used part is likely to have the same issue or fail shortly after installation.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Not applicable as used parts are not advised for this repair.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• While not strictly OEM-only, it is highly recommended to use either a Genuine Mercedes-Benz part or a part from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), such as Pierburg or Bosch, for the camshaft adjuster magnets. This ensures the updated seal design is present.

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Pierburg (often the OEM supplier)
• Bosch

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• Unknown, no-name brands found on online marketplaces should be avoided, as their quality control and seal material may be inferior, leading to a repeat failure.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0010 — This is the 'A' (Intake) Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit code; if you swap a faulty exhaust magnet to the intake position, P0013 will transition to this code.
• P2004 — Commonly seen on M272 engines alongside timing codes when the intake manifold tumbler flap (variable-length runner) fails.
• P2005 — Related to the intake manifold tumbler flap failure, a very common issue across all M272 engine years.
• P2006 — Another fault code triggered by the failure of the plastic lever and arms on the M272 intake manifold runner system.

Frequently Asked Questions