Why is my Mercedes E350 showing codes P0016 and P0017?

Short answer: On an E350 with the M272 V6, P0016 and P0017 can mean the known balance shaft gear wear, but rule out cheaper causes first: the cam position sensors, cam adjuster magnets and their wiring. Your engine serial number tells a Mercedes tech whether your engine falls in the affected range.

Symptom: The check engine light comes on with P0016 and P0017. The car may run fine, or may idle rough or run poorly as it gets worse.

What to check first

1. Read all codes and freeze-frame data.
2. Check the cam sensors and cam adjuster magnet connectors for oil and corrosion.
3. Have a shop compare cam and crank timing with live data.
4. Look up your engine serial number with a Mercedes tech.
5. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Likely causes

1. Worn balance shaft gear (M272 engines). P0016 and P0017 mean the crank and cam timing don't match. On some M272 V6 engines a worn gear on the balance shaft (a shaft that smooths engine vibration) throws the timing off. It's a big engine-out repair.
2. Camshaft position sensor. A sensor that reads cam position. A bad one can set the same codes.
3. Camshaft adjuster magnets or wiring. The adjuster magnets (solenoids) change cam timing. Oil in their connectors or bad wiring can set timing codes.

What it usually costs

The owners in these threads didn't post repair bills. Sensors and magnets are cheap compared with the balance shaft repair, which is a major job.

Is it safe to keep driving?

If it runs smoothly, you can usually drive while you diagnose. Keep up with oil changes. If it runs rough or stalls, stop driving it, because worn timing parts can damage the engine.

DIY or shop?

Sensors and adjuster magnets are DIY for many owners. Balance shaft work is a shop job.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 5 recalls for these years, and none match this problem. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 222 keyword-matched complaints for Mercedes-Benz E350/E-Class 2006–2008 (of 1200 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-04; keywords: camshaft, cam shaft, balance shaft, timing, check engine, p0016, p0017, engine). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2007 E350 P0016+P0017 w/o faulty engine? on Reddit r/mercedes_benz, a 2007 E350 owner had P0016 and P0017 but believed his engine number was outside the range affected by the balance shaft issue. A reply said to check the cam position sensors, the cam adjuster magnets and their wiring first.
• In M272 C280 p0016 p0017 codes - balance shaft? on Reddit r/mercedes_benz, a 2006 C280 owner with the same M272 V6 had P0016 and P0017 return after clearing them, with no other symptoms. Replies said engines of that era are affected by the balance shaft problem, nobody knows how many will actually fail, and the previous owner had already changed the sensor.

Quick tip

Don't assume the worst. Check the cheap parts and the engine number first.

Vehicle focus: Mercedes-Benz E-Class with the M272 V6 (E350), 2006-2008. The C280/C350 use the same engine.

Safety / mechanic note

An engine with bad timing can stall. Verify with a mechanic.