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Mercedes-Benz G-Class G 350 d common faults.

2018–2024, SUV, diesel, 286 HP.

The fault list covers: OM656D29RSCR engine, MB7250 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 14 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

critical1

On the OM654 and OM656 diesels the maker started a recall over the vacuum controlled coolant pump (maker action code: 2090008). The fault: a leak can develop between the coolant and the vacuum circuit; if coolant reaches the electric switching valves, an electrochemical reaction can raise the temperature of the part, and a fire risk cannot be ruled out.

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The fix: replacing the electric switching valve and a software update. The campaign started at the end of 2021; the affected group is the C-Class, E-Class and other OM654/OM656 models.

A recall on the model does not mean it was carried out on this car. Only the franchised dealer can tell you, by VIN.

What to check

  • Ask the franchised dealer by VIN: is action 2090008 OPEN or CLOSED
  • Check the coolant level and look around the vacuum system for leaks
  • Ask for the service sheet: a switching valve replacement plus a software update is part of the campaign
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

The modern OM654 four cylinder diesel (and the modular OM656 six cylinder) carries two weaknesses on the used market that reinforce each other.

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1) Roller finger followers (Rollenschlepphebel). According to the German technical press, on some cars the followers wear early at around 100,000 to 120,000 km. On 10 July 2018 the maker introduced a strengthened follower from engine number 80278367 (new part number A6540505701 in place of the old A6540501100). On early built cars the risk is higher. A faulty follower develops so much heat that the removed metal shows blue discolouration (Anlaufspur).

2) Oil dilution. The post injection needed to regenerate the particulate filter puts diesel fuel into the engine oil. With short urban use the engine does not get warm enough, the fuel does not evaporate, the oil thins out, and the follower and valvetrain are exactly what suffers most from poor lubrication.

The timing chain sits on the gearbox side: if it stretches, the replacement is labour intensive. There are few complaints of a broken chain, but on the early series about 5,000 cars were recalled for a weak chain, and the Tritan 15 coating was changed to Tritan 18.

between 80,000 and 160,000 km

What to check

  • Listen to the engine on a cold start: metallic ticking or rattling from the follower or the chain is suspect
  • Ask for the engine number: cars below 80278367 (before July 2018) are the old follower group
  • Check the service book: how often and with what oil (MB 229.52 is recommended) it was changed. Long intervals plus urban use is the worst pairing
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz G-Class G 350 d

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall14 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 17 February 2023

23V097000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING17 February 2023 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 G550 and AMG G63 vehicles. The front axle wiring harness may chafe against an oil cooler and become damaged, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).

Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and either install a protective sleeve or replace the front axle wiring harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023030005.

The authority's notice

21V564000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY23 July 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 G550 vehicles. The fuel tank may not have been welded properly during manufacturing, which could result in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

The authority's notice

20V247000LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1 May 2020 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 G550 and G63 vehicles. The embossed lock symbol for the child safety lock on the rear doors may indicate the incorrect lock status of the child safety lock.

Risk: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install a label on the rear doors with the correct operating direction, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020050034.

The authority's notice

20V090000POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNITPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT14 February 2020 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 G550 4MATIC and G63 AMG 4MATIC vehicles. An electrical resistor within the differential locking module may malfunction, interrupting communication between the control unit and the differential locking actuator, possibly resulting in the deactivation of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) while driving.

Risk: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or anti-lock brakes may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the differential locking modules and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020070005.

The authority's notice

19V820000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING18 November 2019 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 G550 4MATIC and G63 AMG vehicles. The front door wiring harnesses may have been improperly routed causing damage to the individual wires during opening and closing of the front doors.

Risk: The damage to certain wires can impact safety features such as the side impact restraint system, the automatic unlocking of the door in the event of a crash, or the vehicle location in the event of an emergency call. These scenarios increases the risk of an injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, modify, or replace the front door wiring harness in the event damage has occurred, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020020021.

The authority's notice

18V761000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE29 October 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300, C300 4Matic, C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C43 AMG, C43 AMG Cabrio, C43 AMG Coupe, CLS450, CLS450 4Matic, CLS53 AMG 4Matic, E53 AMG 4Matic, E450 4Matic, E450 4Matic Coupe, E53 AMG 4Matic Coupe, G550, and G63 AMG vehicles. The Central Powertrain Controller (CPC) control unit could reset while driving, possibly causing an engine stall.

Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the CPC control unit software, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019030012.

The authority's notice

A12/00017/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00045/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00919/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

An incorrectly embossed lock symbol for the child safety locks may lead to misinterpretations. This could result in the rear doors being opened from inside despite apparently being locked, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01006/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Depending on the tolerances of the latch and lock trap, the rear doors may not be fully closed, although they appear to be closed. As a result, certain driving manoeuvres and road conditions could cause the rear doors to open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of accident. Additionally, if the child safety lock is activated on the rear doors and excessive force is used on the inner door handle to attempt to open them from inside the vehicle, the closing lever of the lock mechanism may become deformed and prevent the rear doors from being opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01046/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The elastomer material of the oil feed line for the exhaust-gas turbocharger may not comply with the specification, allowing oil to leak out. Consequently, the leaking oil could come into contact with hot components, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01436/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

In some vehicles, the front cardan shaft can collide with the clamping body and damage it, which could lead to a sudden loss of vehicle propulsion, locking of the automatic transmission and wheels, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01558/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The oil supply to the drive shaft bearing in the rear axle differential may be inadequate, which could lead to that the car suddenly loses speed, creating a risk of an accident. Moreover, the rear wheels may lock, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and/or transmission oil may leak or vehicle parts may fall onto the road, endangering other road users. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01779/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The monitor support near the middle door may break along the welded seams in the direction of travel below the interior ceiling as a result of vibrations. In the event of breakage, the support may fall down creating a risk of injury to passengers in the area of the door. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

OM656D29RSCR

210–243 kW (286–330 HP) · diesel

MB7250 · 9G-Tronic, longitudinal (Mercedes 725.0 / NAG3)

automatic · 9 speed

Torque limit700 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
G 350 d
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2925 cc
Power
210 kW (286 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2018–2024

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years
  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years
  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms