Tailgate not locking on S212

[Cowleystjames]

Hi guys, my tailgate on my S212 isn't locking when power closed. Out Disney even sound like it's trying to.
However, if I close the tailgate by pushing down, it locks fine
Any ideas?

[Ivanerrol]

Pushing the tailgates down by hand may damage the mechanism.
You may need to get to an independent MB specialists to have this checked out.

Very frustrating feature - push button closure must be used otherwise expensive damage can be done.

[Cowleystjames]

Many thanks for your reply, so frustrating.

[ANF]

I imagine very similar to my ML350 power tailgate, sometimes mine does not latch, slight upward pressure on the tailgate from outside (ie; lifting slightly on the handle) will engage the lock. Also most times driving off will move the tailgate slightly and also lock. I have not looked into it such, but figure it just needs minor adjusting, does not bother me that much... one day I will get around to looking at it. Closing manually is quite hard to do, not sure that it will damage it though? No warnings in owners manual?

[Cowleystjames]

If I pull the tailgate down, it moves with no resistance and will shut and latch manually. It will also power down and I can just give it a shove when it fails to lock on that last little bit.
I can't see how I'm damaging anything by doing what I am, and as you said, there's no warning regarding closing tailgate manually

[Starman]

From the w212 on-line owners manual, see below. It makes sense because how do you stop people from closing the trunk manually? You cannot.

[Ivanerrol]

Mates CLS Shooting Brake tailgate went faulty.
Stealership fixed it and told him to not close by hand otherwise can damage the mechanism.
It was beuacoup $$$ to fix.
Either the stealership was shirking their responsibilities or there is an issue with these push button tailgates MB is keeping quite about.