vinkodex.

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 350 d 4MATIC common faults.

2015–2019, SUV, diesel, 258 HP.

The fault list covers: OM642LSDE30LA engine, MB7229, MB7250 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

5 fault write-ups. All are important. 5 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

5 important faults

critical1

OM642 V6 diesel: the swirl flap and its plastic linkage break

critical

The swirl flaps sit in the intake of both cylinder banks, and a central electric actuator moves them through a linkage. Soot builds up on the linkage and on the flaps, the flap starts to bind, and in the end the plastic breaks. This is the most frequent single failure on this engine, and the broken pieces can get into the engine, which can lead to engine damage. The symptoms are the engine warning light, rough running and a lack of power, with the code P2004 or P2005 in the fault memory. The condition of the flaps can be seen with an endoscope through the intake, without dismantling. It is worth looking above 150,000 km, especially on the W164 ML320 and ML350 CDI. An aluminium repair kit is available for it, which lasts longer than the factory part.

above 100,000 km

What to check

  • Read the fault memory and look for the P2004 and P2005 codes
  • Ask whether the flaps have been inspected with an endoscope, because they are visible without dismantling
  • At low revs watch for a lack of power and rough running
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive4

7G-Tronic (722.9): mechatronics and conductor plate

expensive

In the Mercedes 7 speed 722.9 automatic (7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus) the mechatronics unit and the conductor plate (Leiterplatte) age over time: jerking on shifts, delayed engagement, a "Getriebe schützen" message, and fault codes on the gearbox electronics.

Show the rest

The repair is typically replacing the mechatronics unit or the conductor plate together with an oil change: not the whole gearbox. The complaint is most common on the longitudinal platforms from around 2005 to 2015 (C/E/ML and the early GLC).

The 9G-Tronic (725.0) is a different design; this applies only to the 7G.

between 100,000 and 220,000 km

What to check

  • Try it cold and warm: a delayed 1 to 2 or 2 to 3 shift is suspect
  • Watch for the gearbox warning or the "Getriebe schützen" message on the dash
  • Ask for a fault code read on the gearbox controller (not just the engine codes)
1 more steps in the write-up

Airmatic air suspension: leaking air spring, overworked compressor

expensive

The Mercedes Airmatic system holds the ride height with air springs and electronically controlled dampers. The most common faults over time are the relay, the compressor and a leaking air spring or air line.

Show the rest

The rear air springs of the 2003 to 2009 E-Class (W211) are particularly prone to leaking along the clamps. If the system leaks, the compressor runs continuously, overheats and fails, so an unrepaired leak takes the compressor with it.

Symptoms: one corner of the car sinks by morning, an "Air Suspension" or level control fault message, and compressor noise while standing. It was an option (or standard) across several generations from the W220 S-Class onwards; the estate E-Class often has air springs with level control on the rear axle as standard.

between 100,000 and 220,000 km

What to check

  • In the morning, before setting off, look at all four corners: an uneven stance means a suspected leak
  • With the car standing, listen to the compressor: continuous running indicates it is overworked
  • Ask for a fault code read on the suspension controller (level and pressure sensor codes of the C1132 / C1144 kind)
3 more steps in the write-up

OM642 V6 diesel: leaking oil cooler seals in the engine valley

expensive

The oil cooler sits in the V between the cylinder banks, and its seal becomes porous over the years. The leak is characteristic: there is no visible trace on the outer sides of the engine, because the oil collects in the V under the intake and drips down from there. A smaller oil puddle can therefore appear under the car, while the place of the leak cannot be found from outside. As the fault gets worse, oil can also get into the coolant, and that shows up as oily streaks in the expansion tank. It gives no fault code. The repair is expensive because the cooler can only be reached after removing the intake and the swirl flap actuator. In a specialist workshop it can run up to 2,000 euro. The fault comes up above 120,000 km. One thing is worth asking even after the repair. If the V is not cleaned out thoroughly, the remains of the old seal and the soot get into the oil circuit, and there they can ruin the bearings and the oil passages as well.

above 120,000 kmup to 2,000 EUR

What to check

  • Look at the expansion tank: an oily streak means oil in the coolant
  • Look for an oil puddle under the car, but do not look for the leak on the side of the engine
  • Shine a light under the intake, between the cylinder banks, where the oil collects
2 more steps in the write-up

OM642 V6 diesel: the injector shaft soots up and it starts hard when cold

expensive

Combustion gases escape past the shaft of the Bosch piezo injector, and soot builds up around the shaft. The symptoms are a hard, rough cold start and a rough idle. The engine has six injectors, so finding the faulty one is more work as well. The quantity correction values of the control unit have to be read per injector, and this is worth doing before anyone replaces all of them. A cleaning additive and better quality fuel help to prevent the sooting. The fault comes up above 120,000 km. The high-pressure system of the same engine (Bosch CP3) can also give starting trouble and a lack of power at high mileage, so the diagnosis separates the two.

above 120,000 km

What to check

  • Start the engine cold and watch whether it starts hard or roughly
  • At idle watch for rough running
  • Ask for the quantity correction to be read per injector, not for a general fault code list
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 350 d 4MATIC

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

Faults of this model

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

Official recall5 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 27 April 2018

18V272000SUSPENSION:FRONTSUSPENSION:FRONT27 April 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML550 4Matic, 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matic and ML350 4Matic, 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG 4Matic, 2017 GLS350d 4Matic, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic, 2015 ML400 4Matic, 2016 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, GLE450 4Matic Coupe and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, 2015-2016 GL450 4Matic and 2013-2014 GL450 4Matic vehicles equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS). In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.

Risk: The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018070015.

The authority's notice

17V655000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE17 October 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE63 AMG, GLE63 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG and GLE63S AMG Coupe, and 2017 GLS450 4Matic, GLE550 4Matic, and GLE63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. These vehicles may have excess bulkhead insulation extending into the lower windshield area, possibly affecting the windshield bonding and the full protective function of the passenger's frontal air bag in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the passenger's frontal air bag does not function as designed in the event of a crash, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will remove any excess bulkhead insulation and rework the windshield bonding, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner letters will be mailed in December 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available in late January 2018. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018020002. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

The authority's notice

17V077000LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES8 February 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE 400 4Matic, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 350, GLE 550E 4Matic, GLE 63 AMG, GLE 63S AMG, GLE 43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE 63S AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLS 450 4Matic, GLS 550 4Matic, and GLS 63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. In certain types of crash events, the center console may unlatch, allowing the objects within to fly around the cabin. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Risk: In the event of a crash, if objects are not secured within the center console, they may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the center console so that it remains latched in a crash, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

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

A12/01743/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The locking mechanism of the third row of seats may malfunction, which increases the risk of injury in the event 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

Engine and transmission

1 engines · 2 transmissions

OM642LSDE30LA

190 kW (258 HP) · diesel

MB7229 · 7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus, longitudinal (Mercedes 722.9 / NAG2)

automatic · 7 speed

Torque limit700 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one transmission is possible. 7 gears = MB7229, 9 gears = MB7250.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
GLS 350 d 4MATIC
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2987 cc
Power
190 kW (258 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2015–2019

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
All X166 versions

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